workshop

Writing Workshop FAQ


General Questions
Specific Circumstances
Logistics and Scheduling
Prepare for your Session


General Questions
Who uses the Writing Workshop?
The Writing Workshop is available to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at Wesleyan. We serve students from all disciplines, class years, backgrounds, and skill levels, from freshmen writing their first college papers to seniors working on honors theses.

Who are the Writing Tutors and Fellows?
Wesleyan Writing Tutors are undergraduate students from all academic disciplines who have demonstrated exceptional writing skills and sustained academic integrity. All Tutors (including Writing Mentors and Course Tutors) receive extensive training through the Ford Teaching Seminar. Tutors are hired to work one semester at a time; consequently, the list of currently employed Tutors changes each semester.
The Writing Fellows are recent Wesleyan graduates who are responsible for training and supervising the Writing Tutors. Fellows also meet with students, holding tutoring hours from 1-4 pm, Monday through Wednesday. The fellowship lasts one academic year. Please click here for more information about the fellowship program.
What does it cost to visit the Writing Workshop?
Nothing: the Writing Workshop is a 100% free service for all Wesleyan students!
Can I bring non-academic and creative writing to the Workshop?
Yes! Tutors are happy to help with any and all types of writing, from short stories to application essays.
Can I bring foreign language papers to the Workshop?
Yes. While your Tutor may not be able to read your paper as written, he or she can talk through your ideas with you and help you brainstorm and structure your thoughts.
Can I bring take home exam essays to the Workshop?
You must ask your Professor for permission before bringing a take home essay to the Workshop.

I haven’t started writing my paper yet. Can I still come to the Workshop?
Absolutely. Incredibly productive workshop sessions take place before students have written a single word; you can spend time brainstorming topics, discussing ideas, and crafting an outline.
When I turn in my paper, do I need to mention that I worked on it with a Writing Tutor?
Yes. You must write somewhere on your paper that you worked on this assignment with a Writing Tutor. If you do not do this, you will be in violation of Wesleyan’s Honor Code. You do not need to specify your Tutor’s name, the date, or what specifically you worked on.

 
Specific Circumstances
 
English is not my first language. How can I best make use of the Writing Workshop to help improve my writing in English?


The most effective way to improve your writing in English is to practice. Consider signing up to partner with a Writing Mentor who will work closely with you on every assignment you complete throughout the semester. You can also schedule regular visits with the Tutors at the Writing Workshop. At the beginning of each session, explain to the Tutor what aspects of writing in English you struggle with and what, specifically, you would like to focus on in this particular session.


If you are in need of additional assistance, please contact the Ford Fellows (Anya Backlund and Katherine Mechling) at (860) 265-2440 or writingworks@wesleyan.edu. 
I am working on my senior thesis. How can I best make use of the Writing Workshop?


First, you should consider applying for a Thesis Mentor who will work with you one-on-one during the months leading up to the thesis deadline.


You are also welcome to take advantage of the Writing Workshop to work on your thesis, so long as you break your work down into manageable sections. Remember: a session with a Tutor is only 45 minutes! When you bring your thesis to the Workshop, prepare to focus on a particular chapter, section, or idea. As you get closer to the due date, you might want to schedule multiple meetings a week to make sure that each chapter receives some attention.


If you are seeking additional help with your thesis, please contact the Ford Fellows (Anya Backlund and Katherine Mechling) at (860) 265-2440 or writingworks@wesleyan.edu.


I am working on a very long assignment. If I bring it to the Workshop, will the tutor be able to read the entire paper?
Your Tutor will do his or her best to cover as much material as possible in the allotted time. However, if you bring a twenty-five page research paper, he or she will likely not be able to get to everything in 45 minutes. You can help streamline the process by taking time at the beginning of the session to communicate what aspects of the paper you would like the Tutor to focus on; for instance, perhaps you are confident in your body paragraphs and would like your Tutor to concentrate on the introduction and conclusion.

I am looking for specific information about a certain aspect of writing. Are there any materials or guides available?
Yes! Please check the “Resources for Students” section of our website. Additionally, we have an extensive collection of resources in our Downey House offices (Rooms 103 and 104). Please call (860) 265-2440 or email writingworks@wesleyan.edu for more information.


Logistics and Scheduling
Where are the Writing Workshop offices located?
There are three Workshop offices on campus: one on the first floor of Olin Library (Room 106), one in the Shapiro Creative Writing Center on the third floor of Allbritton (Room 306), and one in the basement of the Science Library (Room 77). There are signs marking the doors to each office.
Additionally, the Writing Fellows have offices on the first floor of Downey House (Rooms 103 and 104). Please note that all tutoring takes place in the Olin, Shapiro, and Science Library offices; however, if you are interested in speaking with the Fellows outside of a tutoring setting, please stop by Downey House.
Do I have to make an appointment to meet with a Writing Tutor?
No. The Olin Library office is a drop-in location, so you can stop by at any time between 7 and 11 pm, Sundays through Thursdays. However, be aware that this location gets very busy and you may have to wait in line. The other two locations (Shapiro 306 and Science Library 77) are by-appointment only.
What should I do if I have a paper due, but all the appointments are taken?
Stop by the Olin Library office. The tutor in Olin does not take appointments, meeting with students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note that the drop-in hours are often very busy and if you arrive later in the evening, you may have to wait in line.
How do I schedule an appointment with a Tutor?
You can schedule an appointment with a Writing Tutor through your e-Portfolio. In your Student Portfolio under “Academic Resources,” click the link for “Writing Workshop.”
You will see a list of available appointments organized by session date. Each appointment slot is 45 minutes long, though your actual appointment may not take the full 45 minutes. Each appointment slot lists the tutor on duty, his or her major(s), and his or her office location. Purple slots are drop-in appointments, blue slots are booked appointments, and green slots are available to reserve. To reserve an appointment, check the “Signup” box on the far right of the chart, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click “Signup for Selected Session(s).”
Once you schedule an appointment, it will show up on the top of the scheduler page.
If for some reason I am unable to make my appointment, can I cancel it?
Yes. To cancel an appointment, enter the Writing Workshop scheduler through your e-Portfolio. Your previously booked appointment will be visible at the top of the page. Click “Drop Session” to the far right and then click the “Drop Selected Session(s)” button.
Please cancel your appointment as soon as you know you will not be able to make it so that another student can book the appointment.
How long should I expect my appointment to last?
Each session is scheduled to last 45 minutes. Depending on the amount of work you bring, your session may be shorter. You may continue working with your Tutor beyond 45 minutes so long as no one is waiting to be seen.
Can I reserve more than one appointment back to back?
Yes, you can reserve two appointments back to back, but no more than two. Please only do this if you plan on using the full 80 minutes. 
Is there a limit to the number of appointments I can reserve per week?
There is no limit to the number of appointments you can reserve per week. We encourage you to schedule regular appointments at whatever frequency best suits your schedule. If you anticipate visiting the Workshop repeatedly throughout the semester, consider applying for a Writing Mentor.
I need help writing a paper for a specific subject. How can I find a Tutor with experience in this area?
Consult the Writing Workshop Tutor Schedule, which lists each Tutor’s major. Please note that the tutor roster changes each semester.
Can I work with the same Tutor every time?
Certainly. Each Tutor works one shift a week, always on the same day of the week, so it is easy to book regular appointments with the same Tutor.
I cannot find a Tutor majoring in the subject I am writing in. What should I do?
While it can be helpful to work with a Tutor who is experienced in the field you are writing in, it is by no means necessary for a productive session. If your tutor is unfamiliar with your subject, plan to devote some time at the beginning of your session to discussing the conventions of the discipline. Often it can be just as enlightening to work with a Tutor outside the discipline because he or she will approach your work as an outsider, pinpointing any ideas that do not make sense to a general reader.
Additionally, remember that just because a Tutor is majoring in a particular discipline does not guarantee that the Tutor will be familiar with the content of your essay. Workshop Tutors are trained to help specifically with writing; please do not expect your Tutor to evaluate your content. If you need additional assistance understanding your course material, please contact your Professor or the Dean’s Office to request a subject-specific peer tutor.


Prepare For Your Session
What should I do to prepare for my appointment?
Before your appointment, take some time to think carefully about what you hope to accomplish in your session with a Writing Tutor. In particular, ruminate on the following questions:


What aspect(s) of this paper am I most concerned about? What do I want the Tutor to focus on?What do I want to have accomplished by the time the session is complete?
At the beginning of your session, discuss your answers to these questions with your Tutor to ensure that you maximize your time.
Additionally, if you reserve an appointment ahead of time, please fill out the Tutee Info Form before you arrive. You can access the Tutee Info Form through your e-Portfolio. If you are unable to fill out the form ahead of time, please complete it during your session while the Tutor reads your paper.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Plan to bring the following items to your session:


A printed copy of the material you would like the Tutor to readA copy of the assignment sheet and course syllabusA pen and paper to take notesAdditional work to do while the Tutor reads your paper
I don’t have a hard copy of my paper. Can I bring it on my computer?
We strongly encourage you to print a copy of your paper, as this will make it much easier for your Tutor to read and take notes on your work. If you absolutely cannot produce a hard copy, you may bring your work on your laptop. Please avoid bringing papers on an external disk drive or uploading your work to WesFiles; not all Tutors have access to a computer during their office hours.
Can I email my paper to the Tutor ahead of time?
No, you must bring your paper to the Workshop for your Tutor to read during your session.


Can I drop off my paper and come back for it later?
No. It is extremely important that you be an active participant in your Workshop session, discussing your reasoning and brainstorming ideas with your Tutor.
Will the Tutor proofread my paper?
If you are concerned about grammar, you can ask your Tutor to keep an eye out for errors as he or she reads your paper. Please keep in mind that the Writing Workshop is not an editing service; your Tutor will not copyedit your paper for grammar errors and typos alone. Writing Tutors are trained to focus on the bigger picture and read for clarity, structure, and sophistication. If you are interested in learning more about grammar and improving your overall grammatical skill, as opposed to simply fixing the errors in one specific paper, a Tutor would be happy to help! 
Is there anything I need to do after my session is over?
Before you leave, make sure you have a clear idea of what you accomplished during your meeting and what you have left to do. When you get home, please go into your e-Portfolio and fill out the Tutee Feedback Form. We take your feedback very seriously.