Tutoring in the Writing Center is free. No appointment is necessary. The tutors are Edgewood College students, trained and experienced in working with writing from all kinds of classes. See the schedule for current hours.

Before you come in:

• Determine what assistance you need
• Plan to bring the paper, the instructions for the assignment, and any notes or hand-outs
• If you haven’t started to write yet, that’s fine. Be prepared to discuss the material. The tutor will find a way to get you going on the assignment.

When you arrive:

• Sign in. If the tutor is busy with another student, you may be asked to wait.
• The tutor will ask you to read your paper aloud. This is an excellent way for the tutor to get a grasp of your writing, and for you to hear your work in a new way.
• You will discuss your work with the tutor, and decide what changes you would like to make.

Working through a paper with a tutor usually takes at least half an hour. Allow enough time to discuss all your issues with the tutor, and allow time to make changes to your draft. You might plan to make several visits: one to work out large issues, like what you’re saying and why, and another to go over the draft in more detail.

If you’d like to show your instructor that you have been in to the Writing Center, the tutor can stamp and date your paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

My paper is almost done, but I need someone to edit it. Can I drop it off and have a tutor look it over?
No. The Writing Center does not provide an editing service. It’s best if you learn how to edit your own work for correctness. We will listen to your entire paper, and talk with you about its strengths and weaknesses. The changes you decide to make are up to you.

I work all day and come to class in the evenings, but you close at 4:30. How can I use the Writing Center?
You can come for tutoring during our extended hours offered in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, (Predolin 206) across from the Wingra Cafe. If these hours don't work for you, please call Angela Woodward at 663-3293 and we’ll see if we can arrange an appointment with a tutor.

I know I’m a good writer. Why did my professor refer me to the Writing Center? 
Whether you’re very skilled or pretty shaky, it helps to have someone read over your paper with you. Your instructor probably has a friend or colleague that looks over his or her academic writing as a favor. Using the tutoring service really means nothing about whether you are a good or bad writer. Please ask your professor whether there is something in particular he or she wants you to work on with the tutor. Maybe your instructor sent you to the Writing Center  because his or her past students have had good results here. You certainly won’t get much out of tutoring if you don’t want to come. But give it a try before you make up your mind.

I have a really long paper, and I know it will take at least an hour to go over it. Can I make an appointment?
Call 663-3293 to meet with Angela Woodward. Or give a call, and we can recommend a good time to meet with a peer tutor. Some afternoons, more than one tutor is on duty, so you are less likely to have to wait. And there are other times that tend to be less busy. 

I got a bad grade on a paper, and I don’t think I deserve it. Can you look over my paper and tell me if the grade is fair?
Writing tutors can give you another opinion on your paper, but we won’t come between you and the instructor. In other words, we’ll go over your paper with you, but we can’t advocate for you with the person who gave the grade.