“What I like about the Writing Center is how helpful the people are. [My conference with the staff] helped me go in a direction that I am confident and excited about.”
—Samantha Stephens, Junior, English

Our Approach

The Writing Center uses a non-directive method when consulting with writers. We do not offer judgment or evaluation of writing, but we do ask many genuine questions to help you think more deeply about what you are trying to say in your writing.

We share a paper’s effect on us so the writer can consider whether the paper works as intended. We suggest techniques and methods for revising, rewriting and polishing drafts.

Our approach is to empower writers. Rather than telling you what to think and say, we help you express your ideas in your own way.

What to Expect During a Visit

• You will be greeted by a writing consultant. Would you prefer to work at a table, on the couch or at a computer?
• Next, the consultant will fill out a visit slip so the Center can keep track of visitors. On the visit slip, the consultant will write down your name, major, course you are doing work for, and other basic information. This takes about a minute to fill out.
• The consultant will ask you what you would like to work on. At the Center, you’re in charge of your conference, so let your consultant know what you would like to work on. Let him or her know if something isn’t working for you, and speak up if you want to switch gears.
• Your conference can be as short as five minutes or as long as an hour. After meeting with you for an hour, we will encourage independent work.
• After your conference, the consultant will write a couple of sentences on the visit slip about what was done during the conference and what you plan to do next. This information is not evaluative—we’re not here to judge you. This is sent to your professor via e-mail, and professors are glad to know that you came by to work on your writing.

We’re here for you! Let us know how we can help!

 

"In coversation you can use timing, a look, an inflection. But on the page all you have is commas, dashes, the amount of syllables in a word. When I write, I read everything out loud to get the right rhythm."

-Fran Lebowitz