The Writing Center at PSU

Writing Center FAQ

How long does a face-to-face consultation last? Face-to-face consultations default to 50 minutes, but depending on what you need, they may take less time. In general, we find that 50 minutes is the best time frame for a productive consultation. What is an on-line consultation? An on-line consultation is a chance for you to get personalized feedback on your writing at a time tha

t works for you. To use this service, go to the on-line appointment schedule at http://pittstate.mywconline.com and select any available appointment. Then open your e-mail browser and e-mail your draft to us at [email protected], along with the instructions for the assignment, if
you have them. Be sure to save your draft as a Word file (.doc or .docx) or an .rtf file. In the body of your e-mail, tell us what your concerns are with the paper and ask one or two specific questions to give the consultant a clear idea of what kind of help you want. That's it. That's all you have to do. A consultant will respond to the issues you've identified, and you will have the consultant's feedback within 60 minutes of the scheduled appointment time. Should I make an appointment? The Writing Center @ PSU does walk-in consultations when time permits, but we encourage you to make an appointment. Our schedule fills up quickly, so plan ahead. How can I make an appointment? You can make an appointment online. If you need help making an appointment, please visit in person or use Ask a Consultant on our website any time we are open. We will be happy to help. What if I can't get an appointment when I need one? If you can't find an open appointment on the day you need one, add yourself to the waiting list by clicking on the clock at the top left hand corner of the day's schedule. Then e-mail your draft to [email protected]. If we have any last minute cancellations, we will use them to do on-line consultations from the waiting list as time permits. We can't guarantee that we will be able to get to your draft, but we will make every effort to. When you e-mail your paper, remember to include the instructions for the assignment, if you have them. Also, in the body of your e-mail, tell us what your concerns are with the paper and ask one or two specific questions to give the consultant a clear idea of what kind of help you want. (NOTE: An appointment is the only way we can guarantee that a consultant will be available to look at your draft.) Is there a charge for using the Writing Center? The Writing Center @ PSU provides all services free of charge to students, staff, and faculty. How many assignments can I bring to my consultation? We find that writers get best results by working with one assignment per visit. Please make a separate appointment for each document. What kinds of assignments can the Writing Center help with? The Writing Center @ PSU works with any writing project at any stage in the writing process. We welcome any kind of writing. Will the Writing Center edit my paper for me? Our consultants will be happy to work with you as you revise and edit your paper, but we do not offer an editing service. Our goal is to help you become a better writer, and that won't happen if we "fix" your paper for you! Will my teacher know that I went to the Writing Center? We date stamp each draft you bring to the Writing Center. If you would like an email notification to be sent to your teacher, let us know and we can do that too!