The Writing Center
FAQ for Students
What should I expect from a Writing Center appointment? To make our interactions with writers as rich as possible, we fit our one-to-one appointments to each writer's situation. However, all appointments are designed around the following principles:
- The writer, not the tutor, sets the agenda for the session.
- Most tutorials focus on one or two major issues per session.
- Writers learn to do the work for themselves; tutors may demonstrate, guide, and suggest, but the goal is for the writer to learn one or two strategies well enough to replicate them independently outside the tutorial.
- Major issues addressed can range widely, depending on the needs of the writer, and they are negotiated at the beginning of each session. Issues addressed may include
- Understanding the assignment
- Trying different organizational strategies
- Analyzing the audience
- Learning to proofread for errors
- Formatting for document design
Return visits are are always encouraged.
What should I bring to my appointment at the Writing Center? Student writers should consider bringing some or all of the following:
- An assignment sheet and course syllabus, if applicable
- Notes and rough drafts
- A list of specific questions or writing issues you’d like to work on
Professional and academic writers may wish to bring model documents, specialized style and citation guides, or research or other project materials.
What is the "Collaboration Station"? The "Collaboration Station" is a computer installation designed to help group writers collaborate more efficiently. Two keyboards (and two monitors) are attached to one PC, enabling two writers to draft, revise, and edit together.
