Writing
Center FAQ
Q. Who can visit the Writing Center?
A. The Writing Center is open to all students who want to improve any aspect of their writing. The Center is staffed by undergraduate and graduate tutors trained to respond to your writing in a way that will help you develop your writing skills. The tutors can help writers at all levels develop various writing skills.
Q. What kinds of problems can Writing Center tutors help me with?
A.
Writing Center tutors can help you generate and develop essay ideas,
overcome writer's block, organize and support developing ideas, develop
research and library skills, carry out revision suggestions from your
instructors, make your own revision decisions, understand the writing
process, become a critical reader and thinker, learn to recognize and
correct your own grammar and punctuation errors, and work on resumés,
applications, and cover letters.
We put the "grammar and punctuation" item near the end of
this list because we do not want to put too much emphasis on this part
of writing. We will certainly work with you to improve your uses of
grammar and punctuation, but we realize writing involves so much more.
In addition, know that we will not proofread your essays for you, but
we will help you learn to identify and correct your own errors.
Q. What happens during a Writing Center session?
A.
When you visit the Writing Center, you will meet with a tutor for a
one-on-one discussion of your writing. Together, you and the tutor will
discuss the reason for your visit and determine the most crucial writing
task to be addressed. The tutor will usually focus on one or two specific
aspects of the paper that you feel need the most attention; there is
no way every writing task can be addressed in one session. Your writing
will improve as you develop skills and build on your writing strengths,
focusing on one aspect of your writing at a time.
Q. How do I make an appointment?
A.
Making an appointment at the Writing Center is easy. You can drop by
the Writing Center (RB 291) or call us at 285-8387 to make an appointment
that fits into your schedule. However, waiting until the last minute
isn't a good idea; like the library or the computer labs, the Writing
Center gets busy at certain times of the academic year. By scheduling
an appointment in advance, you can select the time that works best for
you and relax, knowing that you have your writing concerns under control.
Q. How can I prepare for my appointment?
A. Just as with your classes, you will get more out of your Writing Center visit if you prepare for it. Here are a few tips that will make your appointment more productive:
-
Bring your assignment with you; tutors can often better help you if they know what your teacher asked you to do.
-
Have questions or ideas ready for the tutor; he or she can help give your session more direction right from the start.
-
Give yourself enough time between your tutoring session and your deadline to revise your writing; stopping by the Writing Center right before you turn in your paper doesn't give you time to use what you've learned.
-
Come to the Writing Center with the goal of improving your writing, not just fixing your paper.
You may also send questions to the Writing Center via e-mail at writingctr@bsu.edu
last updated
4.05.03