The Writing Centre
LOCATION
Fall & Spring semesters – Douglas Centre 2nd Floor (upstairs from the mailboxes)
Supervisors: Maryann Jantzen and Julie Moran
Tel: 604-513-2008
Fall & Spring semesters – 2008 (on-campus)
THE ESSENTIALS
Schedules are posted on-line, but they fill up quickly! Drop-in appointments may also be available if you are willing to wait. See our schedule for information or to book upcoming appointments.
- From TWU’s new Student Portal, you can get to our schedule via a link (“Writing Centre”) at the bottom left .
- From the old Student Portal, you can get to it via a link (“Writing Centre”) at the bottom right.
Appointments last 25-30 minutes each.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What does the Writing Centre do?
The Writing Centre offers writing assistance to all students here at TWU. Your tutor – often an experienced English student – will review your work and will direct you in the revising process, whether you need some help with your thesis statement, with the progression of your argument, or with minor details like punctuation and grammar.
How much does it cost?
Nothing – this is a service provided at no extra cost for all students. You can use our computers for free too, but you will need to pay a minimal cost to use our printer.
Can I drop off my work and pick it up later?
No. The purpose at the Writing Centre is not to fix your writing one essay at a time, but to provide you with the skills to improve your writing on your own. Your participation in a session is essential; be sure to ask questions about anything you don't understand.
How can I make an appointment?
1. Go to the Student Portal.
2. Click on "Writing Centre." (In the old portal, the icon link is on the right, near the bottom; in the new one, the link is on the bottom left.)
3. On the small calendar, click on the date when you would like an appointment. You will see a list of possible appointment times, with notes about how many "slots" are available for each time.
4. To book an appointment, click on the link View and book my tutorials (under "My Tutorials," upper left part of the screen). A more detailed list will appear.
5. Choose a time that has 1 or more slots available and fits your schedule.
Click on Book. That appointment will then be listed under "My Tutorials" for you, and your name will appear on our schedule. (If you want a 1-hour appointment, click Book for 2 successive times.)
6. If there are no suitable times open, you can click on Book waitlist for 1 or 2 times. If someone who has that appointment cancels it later, you will automatically be listed for it and notified by e-mail.
If you do book waitlist, please watch your e-mail and our schedule to see if you are moved into that appointment; then click Confirm if you will be coming to it. If you will not come, click Cancel (2 or more hours ahead). Note – you can lose Writing Centre privileges if you don't come to Writing Centre appointments or cancel them late.
What if I get an appointment and then can't come?
Cancel it on-line as soon as possible (at least 2 hours before your appointment); Writing Centre staff and other students will appreciate your courtesy. If on-line canceling is not possible, phone – leave a message if no one answers the phone. Remember, with too many unreasonable absences, the Writing Centre will no longer extend its services to you.
How many appointments can I have?
2 in any one week (totaling 1 hour), separately or together; as well, you can drop in and ask whether any cancelled appointments are available.
What should I bring to my appointment?
-your work (preferably printed), with any notes you're using
-your professor's description of the assignment – on a handout or syllabus, if you have one
-any textbooks needed for your work (e.g. research sources, novel, course pack, literary anthology)
For more information, visit us.