Writing Center

The Writing Center is a community space where students gather to pursue a passion or improve their skills in writing. The Writing Center is located in the lower level of Buhl Library (Buhl 013A) and is staffed by advanced students who meet one-on-one with writers during any phase of their writing process.

The Writing Center is…

• Available to all students regardless of major or year
• Staffed with undergraduate tutors 20 hours per week
• A supportive environment where students talk about their writing and learn strategies for drafting, revising, and editing their work
• A quiet study space (during non-tutoring hours) with charging stations, moveable tables, and white boards that facilitate collaborative learning
• A meeting place for student literary groups and the College’s literary publications, including The Quad and The Echo

The Writing Center is not…

• A place to drop off papers for editing (Writing Center appointments always involve a face-to-face meeting)
• Purgatory for “bad” writers. The Writing Center serves writers of all skill levels and at every phase of the writing process.
• The Grammar Police. Our tutors care deeply about correct grammar and punctuation, but their interest in your writing goes far beyond grammar. Tutors make recommendations about big-picture concerns such as whether or not your thesis statement is clear, to what extent you have met the assignment’s guidelines, and what further questions a reader might have about your phrasing or ideas.

Why visit the Center?

• You have an assignment that you are having difficulty understanding.
• You are having a hard time deciding on a topic.
• You aren’t sure how to research your topic (the Reference Librarians can also help you in this area).
• You have research but aren’t sure how to integrate, acknowledge, or cite it.
• You have written a rough draft but are not sure what to do next.
• You have written several drafts and are now ready for feedback.
• You have specific questions about usage, phrasing, or grammar.
• You think you have met an assignment’s criteria but aren’t sure.
• You want to talk about anything related to a writing assignment.

What to expect.

You do not need to make an appointment in advance. Walk-in appointments are available during normal tutoring hours. If you are working on an assignment for a class, you may want to bring:

• A copy of the assignment and the rubric for evaluation
• Notes you have taken or research you have done
• A rough draft (in print, on your computer, or both)
• A short list of questions that you would like to discuss with your tutor

Contact Information

Location: Lower Level of Buhl Library (Buhl 013A)
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. while classes are in session.