Writing Center
Asking for and receiving feedback is a normal part of a successful writing project. Even the best writers recognize the benefits of using the skills of others to review and help improve their work. This is the purpose of the Writing Center.
The Center offers support with writing and researching essays in courses across disciplines and throughout the calendar year. The Center provides students support with researching, writing in MLA, APA and Chicago styles and navigating assigned readings.
The Center’s staff (Bryan Preston, Coordinator, and Doretha Houston, Asst. Coordinator) are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Center is located in the Grace Jacobs Building, 2nd Floor, Room 206. Please call 410.951.3059.
Frequently Asked Questions
What help does the Writing Center offer?
Students receive individualized assistance to support their development as writers and responsible researchers. To meet the standards for writing competencies, tutors review the essay's organization as well as grammar, punctuation and word choices.
Do I need an appointment for services?
Students do not need to make an appointment before coming to the Center. When entering the Center, students should sign in and let the tutors know what type of assistance they need. In general, students should allow at least 24 hours for the tutor’s review of the essay or research paper and approximately 48 hours during mid-terms and at the end of the semester.
Students should plan accordingly to ensure they have time to make corrections and submit assignments to professors before deadlines.
Is there any cost for writing consultations and services?
No. The Writing Center resources are free to students no matter how many times the services are used.
Do I need to bring a paper copy of my work to the Center?
Yes! Students are encouraged to bring a "hard copy" of the working draft, and digital copies of all documents are required the first visit and/or work session with a tutor. Tutors' responses to all documents are electronically stored, so that students can review and access their documents as needed.
All papers are submitted to TURNITIN as part of the center's services, with students responsible for releasing their work to their instructors for further review. Copies of working documents are not released to instructors unless requested by students. Evidence of intentional plagiarism is reported to the Center's Director.
Will tutors edit my paper to make the corrections for me?
No. The Writing Center is not an editing service.
Tutors offer individualized consultations that help students learn to look more critically at their own work and foster self-reliance. They offer tips to help students read and critically think about their texts, select reliable sources for research, and use the proper format style, such as APA or MLA. They point out patterns of reoccurring errors in grammar or sentence structures.
Can tutors tell me what grade they think I would receive for an assignment?
No. Students must discuss grades directly with their professors, referring to designated grading policies for each course. Students should bring requirements and/or instructions with them to ensure tutors understand the requirements of each assignment.
Does the Center provide assistance other than help with essays?
Tutors also help students with oral presentations, such as prepared speeches and PowerPoint presentations, including those created as group projects. They assist students with academic writing, such as analyses, essays, rhetorical criticisms, history papers, and research papers; creative writing, including short stories, poems, biographies, and memoirs; business writing, including abstracts, personal statements, resumes, cover letters, formal memos, and proposals; and applications for scholarships or employment.