Writing Center

Zahnow 308 (989) 964-6061

SVSU Writing Center

Mentoring for Graduate Student Writers

resumes Fall 2008


Effective writing is critical in graduate studies for two reasons:  first, it is essential for success in every graduate program; second, it is a foundation for career advancement. To support the goals of SVSU Graduate Programs, the Writing Center supports graduate student writers who face new challenges:  complex and/or unfamiliar writing assignments; expectations to know and use the professional literature in the field; multi-phase papers that culminate in a final extensive report; or gaps in previous writing experience.
(NOTE:  Writing Center mentoring is not appropriate for masters theses or capstone projects; please contact your faculty advisor for assistance with these.)

If you have any questions, please contact Mathew Easterwood, Graduate Tutoring Coordinator, at mceaster(at)svsu.edu.

  FACE TO FACE TUTORING

How to Schedule an Appointment and Post a Paper for Review

1. Appointment-only sessions with graduate tutors are available for graduate
students:  M – TR, 5pm and 6pm.

 

2. Check the VSpace calendar on the “Graduate Student Writing Center Site (WCS)” for available dates and times. See below for detailed instructions.

3. Email mceaster(at)svsu.edu at least one week in advance to request an appointment.  Please list dates and times in order of preference.

4. After your appointment is confirmed, post your paper on the VSpace “Graduate Student Writing Center Site (WCS)” (click “Post a Paper”/ click “Face to Face”) at least 2 days prior to the appointment. See below for detailed instructions.

5. Bring a printed copy of your paper to the appointment.  The tutor will have reviewed your paper prior to the appointment, and the majority of the session will be used for discussion. 

 

Each session will be limited to 50 minutes, and visits will be limited to four sessions per project.  Appointments will be held for only ten minutes past the scheduled time unless other specific arrangements have been made with the tutor.  The student should contact the WC and/or the tutor if he/she expects to be late or no longer able to make the appointment.  If a tutor is unable to keep an appointment, the tutor or WC will contact the graduate student.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ONLINE TUTORING

How to Post a Paper for Online Feedback

1. Post your paper on the VSpace “Graduate Student Writing Center Site (WCS)” (click “Post a Paper”/ click “Online Feedback”).  See below for detailed instructions.

2. You will receive the tutor's response to your writing assignment on the site (under “Post a Paper”/“Online Feedback”). Please allow a minimum of four days (up to one week for long papers) to receive the tutor's response.  The tutor may also choose to give feedback via phone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WRITING CENTER WALK-IN TUTORING SESSIONS

Graduate students may also visit the Writing Center during non-appointment hours; sessions will be conducted with any of the WC staff. 

Writing Center Walk-in Hours:                                                         

          Monday - Thursday, 9am - 7pm

          Friday, 11 am - 2 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO ACCESS THE GRADUATE STUDENT
WRITING CENTER SITE (WCS) ON VSPACE

1.      Select VSpace from the drop-down menu on the SVSU homepage

2.      Type in your user name and password (should be the same as Vmail)

 

3.      On the left, select “Membership”

 

4.      Click “Joinable Sites” near the top of the screen

 

5.      Scroll down to “Graduate Student WCS” and click “Join”

 

6.      Locate “Graduate Student WCS” in the blue bar at the top of the screen or
         in the pull down menu at the right

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 HOW TO POST A PAPER FOR FACE TO FACE APPOINTMENTS

After your appointment is confirmed, post your paper on VSpace at least 2 days prior to the appointment.

 

1. Go to “Post a Paper.”

 

2. Under “Face to Face,” open the current month’s discussion (i.e., if it is
    January, click “January.”)

 

3. Click on the button “New Topic.”

 

4. In the subject line, post your name and the course name and number.

 

5. In the text box provided, please enter the following information: your name,
    phone number, email, the course name and number, the instructor, the due
    date of your writing assignment, and a complete description of the assignment.
    Please also indicate what areas you would like the tutor to assist you with.

 

6. Using the “Attach Files” button, please attach your paper.

 

Please bring a printed copy of your paper to the appointment. The tutor will review your paper prior to the appointment, and the majority of the session will be used for discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO POST A PAPER FOR ONLINE FEEDBACK

1. Go to “Post a Paper.”
2. Under “Online Feedback,” open the current month's discussion (i.e., if it is
    January, click “January.”)                  
3. Click on the button “New Topic.”
4. In the subject line, post your name and the course name and number.

5. In the text box provided, please enter the following information: your name,
    phone number, email, the course name and number, the instructor, the due
    date of your writing assignment, and a complete description of the assignment.
    Please also indicate what areas you would like the tutor to assist you with.

6. Using the “Attach Files” button, please attach your paper.

 

You will receive the tutor's response to your writing assignment on the site (under “Post a Paper”/“Online Feedback.”). Please allow a minimum of four days (up to one week for long papers) to receive the tutor's response. The tutor may also choose to give feedback via phone.