Who goes to the Writing Center?

  • Very simply, writers come to the Writing Center. We offer support to writers at all levels of proficiency and are happy to assist with the most fundamental problems as well as your most sophistated questions.

What kinds of papers can you help me with?

Do I have to have a finished draft in order to get help at the Center?

  • Not at all! We believe that writing is a process and subsequently offer support at every stage of that process. We can help you brainstorm, talk through possible ideas, outline, we can help you expand an outline into a fully-developed paper, we can help with revision, et cetera. If at any stage of the writing process, you feel that you could use some support, please feel free to contact us.

What should I bring?

  • Very basically, you should bring anything you think you'll need during a tutorial. Bring your assignment sheet/essay prompt, any primary sources you might need, any outlines you've made or notes you may have taken, and of course, any work you've done thus far. Anything you might use to write your paper could help us in our ability to help you.

What will happen when I come in for an appointment?

  • You'll be greeted warmly by either our Administrative Assitant, Debbie, or by one of our floating tutors, who will ask for your name and a little bit of information about your paper (and probably invite you to take a piece of candy). You'll meet with your tutor who will talk with you briefly about what sort of paper you're writing, at which stage of the writing process you are, and what sorts of things you think you need to work on, et cetera. Each tutor has a different style, but generally, you'll work through the paper together, reading passages aloud and talking through errors and ideas. Tutorials are interactive, engaging, and even fun! Enjoy your tutorial, as it really is a fun and rewarding learning experience for everyone involved.

Who should I work with?

  • All of our tutors would be happy to help you with any kind of writing in any kind of style, but please refer to the Meet the Staff page for specific information on a tutor's specialty areas. Junior and Senior I.S. students, please note that only consultants, the writing center intern, and senior peer tutors can assist you when working on I.S. If you are coming to the center to receive tutoring on a Biology or Chemistry related assignment, also please note that only the tutors listed under "Natural Sciences/Lab Reports" and "Chemistry" are trained to assist you.

Where are you located?

  • We're in Andrews Library, on level 1. We are located in the Andrews Room just behind the Circulation desk in the main lobby. If you're having trouble, ask someone at Circulation and they'll be happy to point you to us.

Can I come in without an appointment?

  • If we can, we'll be glad to help you without an appointment, but we are quite busy and available time slots fill up quickly. In order to guarantee your time with a tutor, please consider scheduling an appointment in advance. If there are no appointments available, a floating tutor is on duty from 6:00-10:00 pm to assist walk-ins. If the floating tutor is occupied, you can put your name on our waiting list, and we'll give you a call if anything opens up!

How soon in advance should I schedule an appointment?

  • In most cases, students typically come to the Writing Center for assistance and then go back to their rooms to start working/revising on their own. In order to allow yourself enough time to get the help you want and to polish your paper so that it reads like you want it to, be sure to make your appointment for at least a couple of days before your paper is due. This will allow enough time to write a truly polished copy.

Whom can I call with questions or to schedule an appointment?

I've heard that the Writing Center has laptops available for student use. What's the deal?

  • The Writing Center does indeed have 6 iMac laptops available for student use. These laptops are equipped with wireless technology and can be checked out by students who need them. You must surrender your COW card upon checking out a laptop, and the laptops may only be used within the Writing Center spaces. All laptops must be checked out, used, and returned within the Writing Center's open hours, no exceptions!