Do you take walk-ins?

Yes, but an appointment ensures that you won’t have to wait for an opening.

What if I can't come to the writing center?

The Writing Center can meet with you online! This type of consultation is geared toward students who may not be able to make it to the Center during open hours. We currently provide online sessions. Schedule an appointment today or call for more information. When you schedule your appointment, select the online option, then log in to WC Online a few minutes before your appointment, click on the appointment, and select the link that says "Join or Start Consultation."

What happens during a consultation?

1. Your consultant will ask you to describe your paper and your concerns.
2. You will usually read all or part of your paper out loud.
3. You and your consultant will decide on 2-3 areas to work on.
4. Your consultant will model strategies and give you time to practice.
5. You will leave with a plan for revising your paper.

Can a group get a consultation for a written project?

Definitely. Be sure that all members of the group are available to meet, and plan to meet for an hour.

Will the consultant edit or proofread my paper?

Our mission is to make you a stronger writer. If we edit your paper, you have not learned anything and will continue to make the same errors. What we do is point out patterns and major areas of improvement. We will show you examples of the problems in your paper, demonstrate the corrections, and then work with you to enhance your writing.

Will you work with creative writing, career writing, and annotated bibliographies?

Yes. We’ll take any type of writing you need to work on! Remember that Career Services is also an excellent place to work on developing a resume (and finding job/ internship opportunities)—they are located in the Yancy Building.

I'm a strong, confident writer. Why should I come to the writing center?

Professional writers always have someone else read their work. The Writing Center is designed to work with writers of all levels and continue to help students improve academically.

How often can I come to the writing center?

You are welcome to stop by the Writing Center as often as you need to (as long as you are writing). You may make up to three appointments per week (one per day).

Can I come to the writing center just to write?

Absolutely! Because we will be busy with consultations, it may not always be quiet in here, but you are welcome to come and work at one of the computers or on the couch.

When is the lastest I can come in for help on a paper?

Since we offer strategies and suggestions, you’ll need to leave yourself enough time after the session to incorporate those ideas. This is usually at least one day, preferably a few days. We really can’t help you if your paper is due in an hour, so be sure to start early.

What services does the writing center provide?

• Tutoring
• Detailed Feedback
• Assignment Explanation
• Brainstorming
• Outlining & Planning
• Research Assistance
• Formatting & Citation
• Major & Minor Revision
• Style & Polish
• Personal Writing

What is a Consultation?

A consultation is a chance for you to work with a writing consultant (in-person or virtually) and discuss a specific piece of writing you are working on. You and your consultant will focus on developing solutions for various problem areas. The types of problem areas include content development, thesis statements, topic sentences, organization, incorporating research, grammar, formatting and citation, and style. Feel free to bring in any paper you want some guidance on. Our consultations last about 30 minutes.

What to Expect

Writing Consultants assist students with everything from brainstorming to revising a final draft. The types of problem areas we usually work on are content development, thesis statements, organization, incorporating research, grammar, and style, but feel free to bring in any paper you want some guidance on.

Getting the Most from a Session

The Writing Center is a place for you to experiment with your writing—you may try a new type of introduction, or a different way of structuring a sentence. Be open to that experimentation. Your consultant will not tell you what to do. She will ask you a lot of questions about what your intentions are with the piece and offer suggestions that will help make those intentions clear to a reader. The choice to make a change is yours. The same idea applies to grammar problems. Your consultant will point out any patterns of problems she sees, and will teach you how to avoid that problem. It will be up to you (with your consultant’s guidance) to find and change instances of that problem.

How to Prepare

You will need your assignment and any notes/drafts that you have done (in hard copy even if you uploaded your essay). Be sure to check for assignment guidelines in Moodle and complete any readings or planning that you can ahead of time.

What is the Difference Between eTutoring and Online Appointments?

Online: If you choose an online appointment, you will work with a writing consultant in real-time in WC Online. Meetings take place using the built-in consultation module. Log in to WC Online five minutes before the start of your appointment. Then, select "Start or Join Online Consultation." E-Tutoring: If you choose an eTutoring appointment, a writing consultant will independently review your paper and send you feedback/suggestions in WC Online within 24 hours of your appointment. If you would prefer to meet with the writing consultant over Zoom, please specify on your appointment form.

Rules for Consultations

• For e-tutoring appointments, writing consultants must have at least 24 hours to return submissions.
• All appointments must have the assignment guidelines uploaded.
• All appointments must come with at least a draft, some brainstorming started, and very clear expectations. Papers cannot be given to a consultant without clear instructions.

Appointment Policies

• If you need to cancel your appointment, you can do also in WC Online or call the Writing Center at 919-546-8468.
• If you are more than five minutes late to your appointment, it may be given to a walk-in client or cancelled. It will be recorded as a missed appointment.
• After three missed appointments in one semester, your ability to make appointments will be revoked. You are still encouraged to use the Writing Center on a walk-in basis.
• Submit only your own work. It is not the responsibility of the Writing Center to identify plagiarism; if you are unsure if you are plagiarizing, please bring in the source with your paper. If a consultant believes a paper is plagiarized, they are at liberty to end the consultation and will contact your professor.