Answers to Some Frequently Asked Questions
How can a consultant help me?
A Writing Consultant can...
- Become the audience for your paper.
- Help you work out an organizational strategy.
- Help you create and focus a thesis or outline.
- Let you know where you might need more development.
- Help you identify specific grammar patterns.
- Show you how to proofread and edit your paper.
- Suggest research resources and techniques.
- Help you answer your own questions.
What can't a consultant help me with?
A Writing Consultant cannot...
- "Fix" a paper for you at the last minute.
- Assess your paper without you present.
- Take your paper away from the Writing Center to edit or complete.
- Give you specific answers to homework questions.
- Give you a thesis to fulfill an assignment.
- Give a grade to your paper.
- Write your paper for you.
How Do I Sign up for an appointment?
Feel free to stop by Bldg. 26, Rm. 319 and see us! One of our front desk assistants or consultants will help you make an appointment for the time you want.
When you come in for your appointment, please sign in on one of our sign-in stations. This will help us keep track of who we serve on a daily basis. Wait for your session to start, and you're ready to roll!
What If I Have to Cancel My Appointment?
You can come into the Writing Center and cross off your name from the sign-up sheet, or you can call us at (206) 878-3710 ext. 4364 to let us know that you'd like to cancel your appointment.
Can I use the Computers in the Writing Center?
Yes, you may use the computers if you have an appointment with a writing consultant and the work is related to that appointment and takes place directly before, during, or after the appointment. Any of our consultants can help you log on to a computer. We do ask you to sign in at the entry computer station beforehand. Printing can only be done by consultants as part of the work of a consulting session.
Why do I have to sign in on the entry computer when I come into the Writing Center?
We just want to keep a record of who have been coming to the Writing Center and utilizing our resources. The demands for our services help ensure that we're here to stay.
Do you offer online consulting?
At this point, we only do online consulting in special cases that we arrange with particular courses or programs. As a general practice, our consulting sessions are on a face-to-face basis. It allows for quicker and more dynamic interactions between you and the consultant. (Ideas are bounced back and forth at a much faster rate.)
Will the consultant proofread my paper for me?
The consultant will help you read through the paper and come up with ways to address the global grammar patterns present in the paper, but you will be the one to proofread your paper and come up with ways to fix your own errors.
What if I have a long paper that can't be addressed in a 25-minute session?
If your paper is longer than five pages, we strongly suggest that you sign up for a 50-minute session. This would allow your consultant and you to spend more time on the paper.