How to Get Help
When you come here, you are more likely to show an improvement if you account for the following:
- you have enough time before the assignment is due to take into account the tutor’s questions and suggestions;
- you understand that an improvement in your writing involves finding proper resources and investigating those resources outside of your time with a tutor;
- you have time to visit again in case you want additional feedback or in case the tutor did not have adequate time to get through the whole paper;
- you visit the Center frequently and try to see the same tutor;
- you have enough time to visit in case you want feedback from a different tutor;
- you have a personal commitment to improving your writing, and you are willing to work in ways that go beyond your assignments for class;
- you understand that you will not clear up the grammatical habits you have formulated over years of practice in thirty minutes. For that reason, you schedule multiple sessions over which you can talk about multiple grammatical concerns.
Individual Appointments
Our consultants will provide up to 30 minutes of individual assistance per week per class project. Consultants will help you:
- Plan your writing project
- Structure your essay
- Revise your writing project
- Learn how to proofread and edit (we cannot do this for you)
- Brainstorm
- Clarify and talk through your paper ideas
- Plan your outline
- Discuss literature and poetry
Appointments can be made Monday through Thursday. To make an appointment, call 703.323.3341 or stop by Room 409 on the fourth floor of the Godwin Building. Appointments should be made at least two to three days in advance.
Appointments must be cancelled three hours in advance, or you are considered a no show.
Self-Paced Software
Come to the Reading and Writing Center to use our self-paced computer software. Our staff will help you select the right program; then you can work at your own pace, on your own time. Our programs include:
- Townsend Press
Reading comprehension, main ideas, vocabulary in context - Speed Reader
Reading speed and comprehension - Focus on Grammar
Grammar skills for ESL students - Skills Bank 4
Reading comprehension, vocabulary and sentence grammar - Paragraph Punch
Paragraph writing strategies - Essay Punch
Essay writing skills - Inspiration 6
Brainstorming: outlining and mapping - PLATO
Fundamental reading and writing strategies and practice
Students may use the computer software whenever the Center is open. The Center closes occasionally for classes; times of classes are posted on the Writing Center door.
A full time staff member is not consistently available to assist with student lab use in the evenings