Offerings while classes are in session on campus
Guidelines for Writing Appointments
Writing is an on-going, constructive process. Meeting with a writing tutor at the CFLC can help provide insight and constructive criticism at any stage of the writing process.
Writing tutors at the CFLC are undergraduate and graduate peer tutors. Most are English or Liberal Arts majors. They all attend training to help them provide constructive criticism throughout the writing process. Writing tutors are in high academic standing and have been recommended as tutors by their professors.
In order to best accommodate all students, the CFLC asks that students follow these general guidelines for writing appointments:
- Come to the Center with a plan for your session.
- Set realistic expectations for the amount of material you can cover in a 50 minute session.
- It is not beneficial to attend a writing appointment the day your paper is due. Writing involves revision and time to reflect upon what you and your tutor discussed during your session. Please book appointments in advance so that you will have adequate time to revise your paper before it is due.
- Decide whether you need help with the content of your paper or help with the writing process. Writing tutors are a great help during the writing process, but they cannot be expected to know content in specific subject areas. If you are having trouble with the content aspect of your paper, please consider seeing a subject tutor instead.
- A writing appointment is not a “paper editing” service. Writing tutors are here to help with structure, content, and flow of papers; they are not here to proofread for grammar mistakes.
- Writing tutors are not professors, hence they cannot predict the grades of your paper. Please do not ask your tutor “What grade would you give this paper.” Furthermore, seeing a writing tutor does not guarantee your paper will receive a high grade.
- All papers must be printed out before your session. Papers cannot be printed out in the CLFC. Please bring one copy for yourself and one copy for your tutor to look over.
Please Note: Writing tutors cannot provide assistance for take-home midterms and/or final exams without the written consent of the professor saying that it is acceptable to do so. Furthermore, tutors are not permitted to provide assistance for dissertations.
Remember: the goal of a writing appointment is to help create better writers, not just better papers.
ESL Writing Appointments vs. Other Writing Appointments
Writing appointments are meant to help during any stage of the writing process. Writing tutors can help students formulate their ideas and also help with the structure and flow of papers. However, a writing appointment is not a paper editing service. Writing tutors will not check or proofread papers for grammar mistakes.
However, if English is not a student’s first language, the Connors Family Learning Center does provide ESL Writing help. These appointments focus on correcting English grammar mistakes and improving English composition. Writing appointments and ESL Writing appointments are not interchangeable. If English is not your first language and you would like your paper to be checked for English grammar mistakes, please book your appointment with an ESL-Designated Writing tutor. The CFLC also offers ESL Conversation appointments to students who want to improve their English conversation skills.
Please note: All writing appointments are limited to 3 appointments per seven days.