Academic and Research Writing at the Learning Center
Consultants at the Learning Center review papers, presentations, research assignments, as well as creative writing, in order to help their fellow students improve their skills in writing, presenting, and researching. In other words, we assist in the revision of drafts, but we are mainly concerned with enhancing a student’s writing, presenting, and researching PROCESS.
Our approach to learning is centered around peer reviewing, not peer editing. Because every student has an individual writing and presenting process, we can’t tell you what to write in your paper or say during your presentation. However, we can point out the errors you may be repeating again and again, and help you build on your strengths.
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Before Scheduling a Writing Consultation... -
You may also want to bring a list of concerns, so that your consultant can address them specifically. If you don’t have time to write down a list, come at least with some idea of the kind of help you need, so that we can make better use of your time and effort. Try to visit the center at least two days before the assignment is due, so that you have time to revise, and, if necessary, schedule a follow-up consultation.
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What to Bring to a Writing Consultation... -
- A current draft of the project you are working on, either on paper or on your laptop.
- A copy of the assignment from your professor, if applicable.
- Your laptop.
- Any sources you are unsure how to cite properly, if applicable.
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What to Expect During a Writing Consultation... -
Consultations last one hour, and can be scheduled weeks ahead of time. The Consultant will usually ask you to read your work aloud once, so that you can catch minor mistakes, and so that she/he can get a feel for your assignment and your style. She/he will concentrate on some issues more closely than others. Like a pyramid, the foundation of a paper has to be laid first. During your one-hour session, your consultant will review, in order, the following components:
- Idea Development/Invention
- Organization/Outline
- Word Choice
- Citation/Documentation of Sources
- Spelling/Grammar
Since our aim is to not only help you write a better paper, but also to help you become a better writer, there are some ground rules that all our consultant live by:
- We do not edit drafts for students. We CAN, however, show you how to edit your own work.
- We do not "Fix" a student's writing. We CAN, however, help you assess your own strengths and weaknesses. We CAN ALSO recommend ways to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
- We do not "give" students ideas. We CAN, however, brainstorm with you, and assist in preparing an outline or other organizational chart.
- We do not do research FOR students. We CAN, however, show you methods that will make your research a lot easier.
- We do not predict grades. While we promise to work with you as hard as possible to make your project worthy of an A, only you know your professor’s expectations. We CAN, however, give you some tipsheets or lend out books from our library to help clarify an assignment.