SVSU WRITING CENTER
TUTORING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Zahnow 308     989.964.7228 

Effective writing is critical for graduate students for two reasons: first, it is essential for success in every graduate program; second, it is a foundation for career advancement. 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 or language experience.

(NOTE: Writing Center mentoring is not appropriate for masters theses or capstone projects; please contact your faculty advisor for assistance with these.)

Graduate students have three options: 

• Option 1. Face to face tutoring by appointment with a designated graduate tutor
• Option 2. Online tutoring with a designated graduate tutor
• Option 3. Walk-in tutoring with any Writing Center tutor

Each of these options is outlined below. 

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•   Option 1. Face to Face Tutoring by appointment with a designated graduate tutor

Appointments with graduate tutors are available as listed below:

To make an appointment:
1.  Email the tutor you wish to work with at least 3 days before the appointment to set up the time to meet.   Attach a copy of the paper, so the tutor can review it before you meet.
Kelli:    kafitzp(at)svsu.edu
Noah:   ntessenm(at)svsu.edu
Jamie:  jewendor(at)svsu.edu
Tyler:   tsgermai(at)svsu.edu 

2. 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.

Sessions will be limited to 60 minutes, and visits will be limited to four sessions per project. Appointments can only be held for ten minutes past the scheduled time. The student should contact the WC and/or tutor if he/she expects to be late or is no longer able to make the appointment. If a tutor is unable to make an appointment, the tutor or WC will contact the graduate student.

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• Option 2. Online Tutoring with a designated graduate tutor  

1. Post your paper on the VSpace Graduate Student Writing Center site (WCS):
a) Click "Post a Paper"
b) Click "Online Feedback" and the current month
c) Click "New Topic"
d) In the subject line, post your name and the course name and number
e) In the text box provided, please enter the following information: your name, phone number, email, the instructor, the due date of your writing assignment, and a complete description of the assignment. Please also indicate which areas you would like the tutor to assist you with. 
f) Using the "Attach Files" button, please attach your paper.  

2. Send an email to a tutor assigned for that day (or choose any one of the four on the weekend) letting him/her know that you have posted a paper. 

 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 three days (up to one week for long papers) to receive the tutor's response. The tutor may also choose to give feedback via phone.

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• Option 3:  Writing Center Walk-in Tutoring Sessions with Writing Center Staff

Graduate Students may also visit the Writing Center at any time for shorter papers (8 pp. maximum); sessions will be conducted with any of the WC staff.

WRITING CENTER WALK-IN HOURS:

Monday-Thursday, 9am-7pm
Friday, 11am-2pm

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