All writers, whatever their experience or expertise, revise what they write.
All writers have outside readers – people who read and respond to a developing text.
For this reason, Writing Services provides free one-on-one writing consultations for all students for any academic writing purpose. Consultations are led by faculty-recommended and trained peer tutors or professional tutors. Consultations are non-judgmental and non-evaluative; instead, tutors help students identify areas to improve and develop specific revision plans. Students will build writing skills as the tutor guides them through the revision process.
Improve your writing for college and for life.
- Most writing consultations are scheduled for a half an hour. For longer papers, consultations are scheduled for an hour.
- Students can set an appointment for any stage of the writing process: brainstorming ideas for a paper, developing an outline, planning revision of a rough draft, or fine-tuning a final draft.
- Most consultations start with the student reading their paper aloud to the writing tutor.
- The writing tutor always responds to the student's concerns first, then works with the student to plan other ways to improve the draft.
How to make the most of your writing consultation:
We ask that students take responsibility for preparing for each consultation. We can't "fix" your writing, but we can help you learn to become a better and more confident writer.
The Responsibilities of Students:
- Bring a copy of your assignment with you.
- Bring your notes, ideas, and rough drafts.
- Bring writing materials.
- Bring a flashdrive if you want to use a computer.
- Prior to your visit, think about what you want out of your consultation, and tell the writing tutor what you want to work on.
- Make appointments or drop in well before your paper is due. Writing tutors won't be able to provide much help if you don't have time to revise your paper after the consultation.
The Responsibilities of Writing Tutors:
- Writing tutors will invite you to read your draft aloud.
- They will begin by focusing on what you think needs work in your paper.
- They will make suggestions, not lecture or grade you.
- They will ask you questions to help you imagine ways to revise your draft.
- They will also show you how to use a handbook to help with spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage problems.
What Writing Tutors Will Not Do:
- Writing tutors will not correct or proofread your paper.
- They will not write the paper for you.
- They will not guess what grade the paper might receive .
- They will not judge your work, but will show you how to judge it yourself.
