Welcome again to “the embarkation” of your MA thesis experience this Autumn 2026. I am glad we have all finally connected again for this Fall semester of ENG 5698. It felt a bit like a “homecoming”. I missed you all. We are truly “underway” now. Moving forward, I hope you will think of “Thesis Class” as a special “accountability community” – a supportive writing group dedicated to co-learning and peer support, helping you refine your own development of a significant writing project.
As we embark on this process, we are setting the tone with weekly connection and check-in-style discussions. You will all be at different “places” during the thesis experience, of course, and each of you will bring different perspectives and concerns. Thesis time together is a unique opportunity. It is a special chance in your life to have a close community of like-minded writers working with you and alongside you, in tandem. Although your work might be different, the process you are all experiencing is shared.
***Please remember, each of you will learn a great deal from considering each other’s evolving work. The peer support approach for your thesis development will rely heavily on the feedback you offer, as well as the feedback you receive. It is critical to keep in mind the significance of both roles you play in this class – writer AND reader, author AND editor. Your own growth as a thinker and creator relies on both sides of this equation. Consider each of the roles with equal measure.
I look really look forward to “jump-starting” our collective work together next week.
For our Next Meeting
Your first introductory post: Please update us on your thesis process so far. For some of you I suggested specific “to-dos” for this first week. What have you researched thus far? What have you written? What work will you resume, and what outlines for the work ahead can you share? What overall thoughts do you have at this stage regarding your thesis? for those of you just at the beginning, share some early ideas about what you would have in mind, and what work you imagine is in front of you as “first steps” in the discovery & invention phase.
See you next Monday,
Dr. Zamora
