Information for students:
What to expect during your appointment
At the Writing Resource Centre (WRC) we view writing as an act of conversational knowledge, so when you visit the WRC, your experience will involve having a friendly conversation with a receptive and attentive tutor.
Some answers to common student questions:
How long does one appointment usually take?
We offer both half-hour and one-hour appointments. Unless a student has a very brief question, we find one-hour appointments are best. You can book an appointment (up to two weeks in advance) by phoning 457-6567.
What if I have to cancel an appointment I made?
Simply get in touch with us at least twenty-four (24) hours before your appointment is to take place. Students who regularly skip scheduled appointments will not be able to book future appointments. Please be respectful of other students wishing to use the centre.
What do I need to bring with me?
You should bring something to write with, a copy of the assignment guidelines (if you wish to talk about a particular assignment), and a hard copy (electronic documents please) of any particular piece of writing you wish to review.
I need someone to help point me in the right direction on a writing assignment. Even though I don't have anything written yet, can I still make an appointment at the WRC?
Absolutely. The pre-writing stage is extremely important, and we are happy to discuss it with you.
If I bring in a draft of my essay, will you proofread it for me?
The WRC does not consider itself an editing service. This means that we are happy to help you develop your proofreading and editing strategies, but we simply don't have the time to proofread entire essays. This doesn't mean we won't point out errors of punctuation, grammar, or sentence structure as they come up, but it does mean they won't necessarily be the focus of the appointment.
I'm a graduate student, and wanted some critical input about a paper I'm presenting at a seminar next week. Do you only help undergraduate students?
No. Students from all levels and all disciplines visit us at the Writing Resource Centre.
I have a really long essay I want someone to look at. Should I do anything differently?
Good question! For particularly large essays or assignments (esp. at the graduate level), we recommend emailing us the draft of the essay at least one full day before a scheduled appointment to allow your writing tutor the opportunity to familiarize herself with the material.
I have a really quick question and I can't find the time to book an appointment. Is there anything I can do?
If you only have a quick question (e.g. formatting, citations, etc.), half-hour appointments are available. As well, you may e-mail us at: writing (at) msvu.ca. Please allow at least 24 hours for an e-mail response to a quick question(s).
I'm applying for grad school/professional program/etc. and I want someone to look over a piece of writing I have to submit. Can the WRC help me?
Yes. You are welcome to bring non-academic pieces of writing to an appointment as well. We will be happy to discuss creative writing pieces, application essays or letters, resumes/cover letters, etc. Student Affairs' Career Planning Centre also offers free resumé/cover letter critiques.
I'm a science student taking an arts course. How do I know what a given department's standards are for formatting, citations, etc.?
Check our list of departmental preferences to make sure you're following the writing conventions of that particular department.
What if I don't agree with a tutor's recommendations?
All decisions regarding your writing assignment will be for you to make. A tutor will not expect you to incorporate every suggestion he or she makes into your writing. Tutors will be respectful of the time and effort you have already expended. Also, tutors will not pass judgment on your writing assignment: do not expect a tutor to assign your work a grade.
If I bring a draft of an essay to the WRC, will I be guaranteed a good mark when I pass it in?
You can be certain that a visit to the Writing Resource Centre will result in improved writing skills. Like any other skill, learning to write well takes patience and practice. The more work you put into your writing (including getting feedback from the WRC), the better your writing skills will become, which in turn will result in improved marks on your written assignments.
Writing Resource Centre
Dept. of Student Affairs | Rosaria 111A (off the Crows Nest)
ph: 457-6567 (appointments)
457-6577 (WRC office)
msvu.ca