Frequently Asked
Questions
1. What is
the Writing Center?
The
Writing Center is located in Bancroft 242 and is a place where students can have
one on one help with any writing projects. The Center is staffed by
student tutors who have been trained to help other students improve
their writing. This service is free, but there are a few things to
remember. First, a tutoring session is an interaction between the tutor
and student, meaning that both sides must participate. We ask that
students come to the Writing Center prepared to work on their assignment.
While students do not have to have a rough draft to come to the Center, we ask
that they come with a copy of the assignment or topic in order for the tutors to
best help them.
Our tutors can help a student with any stage of the writing
process--brainstorming, prewriting, organization, drafting, development,
revising, etc. Also, expect to be asked questions about your writing.
We want you to learn how to think through your problems and solve them on your
own. As our motto says, our job is "helping you become a better writer."
2. What services does the
Writing Center offer?
A student
can set up a tutorial session in the Writing Center in order to work with a
tutor on a writing assignment. Also, the Writing Center has handouts that
students are welcome to take. The topics range from documentation to
grammar to argumentation, and students can help themselves to these handouts at
any time when the Writing Center is open.
3. Do I have to set up an
appointment?
No, the
Writing Center does accept walk-ins. However, as the semester progresses,
the Writing Center will become busier and busier. To ensure that you will
be able to work with a tutor, it is better to set up an appointment ahead of
time.
4. How far ahead of the due
date of an assignment should I come in?
The
earlier, the better. If you are coming to the Writing Center to improve
your writing, then it would make sense to allow yourself enough time after the
tutorial to revise the paper as needed. Try setting up an appointment at
least two days before the assignment is due, but again earlier is better.
5. Who comes/can come to the
Writing Center?
Students
from all majors and classes come to the Writing Center. Every day, we help
students from biology, history, political science, philosophy, psychology, mass
communication, and all other areas. Also, students bring in different
types of assignments. Tutors can help you work on papers, resumes, job
applications, and any other writing assignments. Finally, we have helped
undergraduate students, graduate students, and even professors.
6. What qualifies the tutor
to be able to help me with my assignment?
Our tutors
are students who have taken WRIT 500 and have gone through training to learn how
to help students with their writing. We, however, do not claim to be
experts, nor do we claim to help you write an error-proof paper. Our
tutors enjoy writing, talking about writing, and helping others with their
writing.
7. Why can't the tutors just
show me how to fix my paper?
This
question almost answers itself because it is YOUR paper. We will not write
your paper for you, and we can not tell you how you should write your paper.
In a tutorial session, we ask questions that make you think about your writing,
what you are saying and what you want to say. Then, we help you discover
ways to effectively get your point across.
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