Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens at the Center?

The tutors at the Writing Center will meet with you in one-on-one tutorial sessions where your specific needs and interests can be addressed. These sessions, also called tutorials or writing conferences, can last for a half hour to an hour. You can either schedule an appointment online or stop by on a first-come, first-serve basis during scheduled Writing Center walk-in hours.

Who Should Visit the Center?

All students interested in talking about their writing will find the Writing Center a valuable resource. The tutors, who come from various majors and academic backgrounds, work with students from all academic disciplines. For your one-on-one conference, you can bring in any assignment at any stage in the process, from the roughest of ideas to the almost-finished product.

What Happens During a Tutorial?

Whether you drop by or schedule an appointment, you can expect to meet with a tutor for anywhere from half an hour to an hour, depending on your needs and schedule. A tutor will greet you and ask you what you're writing, what (if anything) you've done so far, and what you want to get out of the tutorial. If you have an assignment sheet, the tutor will take a look.

If you already have a draft, the tutor may ask you to read it out loud so that you both can hear what it sounds like. Reading aloud also slows the rate at which both individuals read through the paper, allowing for you to see how the piece works. If you don't want to read aloud, however, don't worry about it; just ask your tutor to read the paper aloud or silently. During and after the reading, the tutor will ask questions and raise issues for you to think about. If you come to the tutorial with certain questions or issues on your mind, the tutor will address these issues in the conference. The tutor won't mark up your paper, telling you what to change; it's up to you to consider your tutor's input and make any notes or changes you will need to remember later.

Whether or not you come prepared with questions, the tutor will also concentrate on the most important concerns he or she sees in your paper. You may originally be concerned with grammar, but as the tutorial progresses you may notice that your paper lacks focus, and you may decide to reorganize the work. Maybe you realize that your paper is structured well but that you could use more descriptive details or a stronger introduction. If your paper seems mostly completed, your tutor may show you how to proofread closely or create greater fluidity between sentences. If you are still working on ideas, your tutor may show you ways to free-write and brainstorm or some new ways to focus your thesis and find supporting details. Feel free to discuss your writing process and your concerns about writing with your tutor.

Every conference is different depending on the individuals involved, the stage of the work and the work itself. Your tutor will concentrate on helping you as a writer in the best way possible.

Where is the Writing Center?

We are located in Library 115, with offices in Library 108 through 113.

When is the Writing Center open?

Our schedule is posted here.  It's also visible in more detail on our online scheduler.

How do I schedule an appointment?

You have several options: you can stop by during our walk-in hours, and we'll do our best to assist you; you can use our online scheduler (your login, if you've never used it before, is your school email with your last name as your password); or you can give us a call at x4493.  Calling or stopping by is the best option if you can't make any of the posted hours.

What's the Writing Center's phone number?

Our extension is 4493. Call 240-895-4493 from off-campus.

Isn't the Writing Center just for English majors?

Certainly not. Every major involves writing, and therefore every major is welcome at the Writing Center. We also have some helpful information posted about writing in specific disciplines.

I'm a good writer, and I don't need much help. What can the Writing Center do for me?

A tutor can let you know how the paper seems to a reader who knows less about the topic than you do. She can help you notice cool ideas that you've touched upon but not yet developed. Or she can help you notice those pesky, peristent patterns of error that even top-notch writers often have. Basically, think of your tutorial as a professional-level peer review. Professors ask for each others' input before sending a paper off; why shouldn't you?

I need help revising my St. Mary's Project. It's REALLY long...

Unfortunately, SMPs are hard to fit into the standard session. Thus, we offer a special service for SMPs: Drop a hard copy off with us, and a tutor will contact you within the next two days to schedule a tutorial with you. The tutor will read through your draft ahead of time, looking to address anything specific you'd like help with, but also anything else that catches the tutor's eye. The tutorial will occur within a week of the day you drop off the draft.

Can I still come if I haven't written the paper yet?

Please do. We can help with any stage of the writing process, even the part where you stare at the assignment sheet and wonder how you should start.

Can you tell me what my professor meant by (insert cryptic scribble here)?

If you can't read something your professor wrote on your paper, the best person to ask is your professor. If you can read it, but you don't know what it means, we can probably help.

Will you proofread this?

No. But we'd be happy to show you how or be an extra pair of eyes while you proofread your own paper. It's the whole "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach him to fish, he eats for life" philosophy.

How do I (insert grammar issue here)?

Come by and we'll show you. Or, check if we have your answer online in our Resources for Writers.

Is grammar all you help with?

No. We also spend a lot of time on things like organization, argument support, addressing the audience, how to cite sources, how to find sources, word choice, transitions, expanding short papers, compressing long ones... you get the idea.

Are the tutors all English majors?

No. We're a mixed bunch. See for yourself in Meet the Tutors.

If I bring my paper in, will it get an A?

We could tell you, but then we'd have to kill you. Seriously, we can't predict or guarantee grades; our goal is not to improve the specific paper but to help you become a better writer. (But hopefully, as your skills improve, so will your grades.)

What is the meaning of life?

We don't know either. But keep looking. Let us know if you figure it out; we may post your answer. Meanwhile, try typing "What is the meaning of life?" into Wolfram Alpha.