How to Prepare for a Writing Center Session
Many students aren’t sure what to expect when they visit the Writing Center for the first time. Our goal is to help each student become a more effective writer, keeping in mind that everyone approaches writing differently. In order for us to be most effective and for you to get the most from your session, we ask that students prepare for a session by using this quick checklist:
- Visit early in the writing process to give yourself time to revise
- Bring a copy of the assignment sheet and rubric
- Bring a draft of your paper (if applicable)
- Come prepared to ask questions and engage in active participation with your writing mentor
Click on the video for more detail about what you can expect.
Why visit early?
The earlier you visit in your writing process, the better! You can always come back for multiple sessions for that particular piece of writing. The more comfortable you are with a piece of writing early on in the process, and the more time you allow for revisions, the better your writing will be.
Why bring a copy of the assignment?
Be sure to bring in a copy of the assignment you are working on. If the piece of writing isn’t for a class (a scholarship essay, resume, contest piece, application letter, etc) bring any guidelines you might have to provide a context for your writing and a sense of what is expected from your piece.
For example, if you are in the beginning stages of the writing process, we might help you brainstorm by asking the following questions.
- Can you describe the assignment in your own words?
- Do you have a starting point?
If you already have a firm understanding of your assignment, we might help you develop your ideas further by asking questions like these instead.
- Can you walk me through your main points?
- What argument are you trying to make?
- What evidence do you have to support your argument?
Why bring a copy of the draft, if you have one?
If you have a draft, be sure to bring it to your session. If you’d like, you may bring two copies: one for you and one for your mentor. Although this is not required, doing this allows you to take notes as you are discussing things with your Writing Center mentor. If you have notes, a particular text, research materials related to your draft, or instructor feedback, also bring these items to the session.
If you come in with a complete draft, you might hear some of the same questions, but we might also ask you about other qualities and characteristics about your paper.
- Do you feel as if you are meeting all of your instructor’s expectations?
- Do you think that a reader could get from the beginning of your paper to the end without getting confused?
Perhaps you have already submitted a draft and have received feedback from your peers or instructor and now you need help with revision. We may ask the following questions to walk you through this process.
- Can you explain what readers need from you as you revise?
- Is there anything else that you think needs to be done to make this a successful document?
Why come prepared to engage in active participation with your Writing Center mentor?
Come prepared to engage in conversation with your mentor. The best sessions involve active thinking and dialogue between student and mentor. We want to understand where you are in the writing process, and we use these questions to help you.
If you’re not sure how we can best assist you, a mentor will always focus on the highest order concerns first, including things such as fulfilling the assignment requirements, organization, clarity, and using sources appropriately.
The most important thing to remember is to work in partnership with the Writing Center mentor. Mentors are there to support you in any way they can. If your mentor asks a difficult question, it is to help you anticipate the instructor’s expectations, not to make you uncomfortable. Ask questions, participate in the session, and bring the appropriate materials so you can make the most of your session.