FAQ
- Where are you located?
- Who can use the Writing Center?
- How do I make an appointment?
- What should I do if I haven't made an appointment but need help fast?
- What do you do at the Writing Center?
- Who works at the Writing Center?
- What should I bring to my Writing Center session?
- Will you proofread my paper at the Writing Center?
- Will you work with résumés, cover letters, and application essays?
Where are you located?
We're in the White Building basement, B09
Who can use the Writing Center?
We're a resource for the entire MCPHS community, from first-year students in the required-composition sequence to faculty and staff working on any writing task.
How do I make an appointment?
You can make an appointment by coming down to B09 or by calling 732-2091. Appointments start on the hour and usually last from 30 to 50 minutes, depending upon your needs.
What should I do if I haven't made an appointment but need help fast?
You can also drop in to the Writing Center if you seek immediate help, but priority goes to those people who have made an appointment.
What do you do at the Writing Center?
Simply put, we teach writing. What that looks like will vary. If you listened in on a tutoring session, you'd hear a student explaining an article she's read, or you'd hear a tutor asking questions (we do that a lot), or you'd hear student or tutor reading a paper aloud, or you'd hear a tutor offering a writing strategy for a student to try out. Sometimes you'd hear only silence as the student writes and the tutor sits close by. Often you'll hear laughter as student and tutor commiserate over a due date or get giddy over a peculiar usage of the English language. Overall, we offer free professional support of your writing endeavors.
Who works at the Writing Center?
We're staffed by experienced teachers and writers. Our own struggles to make meaning through words on a page give us each a great deal of respect for the challenges of writing clearly and concisely. As teachers/tutors, we've learned about the intricacies of the writing process and can help you to expand your strategic repertoire. We aren't an arm of the "grammar police" but instead will work with you to refine your writing process.
What should I bring to my Writing Center session?
If you are working on a paper for a course, bring in the assignment sheet. For any task, you can bring in a rough draft, an outline, some notes, or simply some ideas in your head about the paper you are writing. In a series of appointments, we can start with conversation about your topic, move on to feedback on your focus and organization, and, finally, work with you to make sure your grammar and usage are correct.
Will you proofread my paper at the Writing Center?
No, we won't. Instead of having us edit your writing, our tutors work with you to improve your editing and proofreading skills, as well as your grasp of the fundamentals of the English language (after all, you're the one getting the course grade and credit!). This can be a time-consuming process, so be sure to make appointments well in advance of your due date.
Will you work with résumés, cover letters, and application essays?
We sure will. In fact, we are amassing career resources, including handouts on writing résumés and cover letters. Each of us has had extensive experience with these sorts of tasks, from our own job searches, to teaching business communication, to attending career workshops. The Writing Center can't promise you that you'll get that job, but we can promise that your résumé will strongly convey your best qualities and qualifications.