The Writing Center Process

  One of the best ways to improve your writing is to receive regular constructive feedback. GWC instructors assist with any type of assignment, from short papers to dissertations, and can help you face-to-face or via email. Instructors can help you organize your ideas, structure an argument, understand citation rules, and manage the writing process.

What instructors do:

• Help you communicate clearly, concisely, and creatively
• Familiarize you with academic writing standards
• Help you develop your thoughts and map out a plan
• Identify your writing strengths as well as areas for improvement
• Explain how and when to cite, quote, and paraphrase
• Teach you how to proofread your own work
• Refer you to more resources specific to your needs

What instructors don't do:

• Replace the guidance of professors and advisors
• Provide substantive discipline-specific feedback on content
• Edit or format papers

How appointments work:

• Email any written work and assignment instructions to your writing instructor 24 hours in advance for live appointments and 48 hours in advance for asynchronous appointments.
• For live appointments, you and an instructor will meet to discuss your ideas, outlines, and drafts, either on campus or online.
• If meeting online, your instructor will contact you before your appointment with a meeting link. ​​
• For asynchronous appointments, your instructor will email feedback to you.
• In all forms of instruction, we help you improve your organization, critical thinking, logic, use of source material, grammar, punctuation, word choice, sentence structure, and more.
• We spend approx. 30 minutes reviewing your draft for a 30-minute live appointment, or 60 for 60; we spend up to 90 minutes reviewing papers for asynchronous appointments. For long or complex drafts, please book multiple appointments.

How to book with a writing instructor:

Make an appointment in WCONLINE. WCONLINE requires a one-time registration. Then you can sign up for live and asynchronous appointments, as well as workshops, by viewing the calendars.