Guidelines

The Writing Lab offers supportive, nonjudgmental tutoring that helps you strengthen ideas, organization, and writing skills at every stage of your draft. Learn how you can prepare for a productive tutoring session and set yourself up for success!

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A Quick Guide to Tutoring Sessions

How to Use the Writing Lab

Our Promise to You: We don’t judge you or your writing.

Rough drafts are welcomed! (that’s why they’re called “rough” drafts).
Do you speak other languages? We know it’s hard when you “can’t find the words.”
We’ve gotten confused by professors’ assignments too!
We’ve also had life events create barriers to our learning.

Helpful Tools Before, During and After Your Writing Lab Visit

Before

  • Know your due date and visit early! Good writing takes time.
  • Write down the one most important skill you want to learn (thesis creation, effective topic sentences, strong supporting ideas, correct citations, integrating sources, and the thinking skills that support all of these writing process steps).
  • Bring a copy of your assignment instructions and your draft.

During

  • Submit Your Draft Document and Assignment Guidelines. Your tutor will open your draft and instructions right before you meet.
Writing Lab Submission Hub
  • Share Your Goals: Tell your tutor what you want to work on. The tutor will listen carefully and suggest strategies to help you.
  • Read Your Work Aloud: You or the tutor can read. This helps with proofreading and shows if your ideas are clear to a reader.
  • Be Open to Feedback: The tutor will point out both strengths and areas for improvement. Sometimes the focus may be different than you expect—for example, thesis or supporting details before grammar.
  • Ask Questions: All questions are welcome. Asking helps you learn.
  • Respond to Questions: Your answers help the tutor understand your thinking and guide your revisions.
  • Take Notes: Write down feedback and skills you learn (writing by hand helps memory).
  • Plan a Follow-Up: If needed, schedule another session before your due date.

After

  • Make Time to Revise: Schedule time to improve your draft before the due date.
  • Review and Apply: Look over your notes, follow the Next Steps, and practice the skills you learned.
  • Check with Your Professor: If you still have questions your tutor could not answer, ask your professor for clarification.