Effective writing is critical for graduate students for two reasons: first, it is essential for success in every graduate program; second, it is a foundation for career advancement. The Writing Center supports graduate student writers who face new challenges: complex and/or unfamiliar writing assignments; expectations to know and use the professional literature in the field; multi-phase papers that culminate in a final extensive report; or gaps in previous writing or language experience.
NOTE: Writing Center mentoring is not appropriate for masters theses or capstone projects; please contact your faculty advisor for assistance with these.
For shorter papers (under 8 pages):
Option 1: Face-to-face tutoring with any Writing Center mentor
At any time, graduate students may walk into the Writing Center for shorter papers (under 8 pages); tutorial sessions will be conducted with any of the available Writing Center staff. See our weppage for hours.
For longer papers (over 8 pages):
Option 2: Face-to-face tutoring with a designated graduate mentor
Graduate students may schedule a face-to-face session with a graduate tutor by appointment for longer papers (over 8 pages). Graduate tutors are undergraduates who have worked in the Writing Center for at least one year and have experience working with students from a variety of different disciplines.
During the spring semester, we will be taking one-hour tutorial session appointments on Mondays, from 12-2 pm, and Thursdays, from 3-5 pm. During the summer semester, we will be taking one-hour appointments on Monday from 10 am - 1 pm.
To make an appointment for a face-to-face tutorial session, click here or log in to your Vspace Workspace, and click on "Schedule Tutoring" in the menu on the left. You must schedule the appointment 48 hours in advance. You will be asked to submit a copy of your paper online at the same time you schedule your appointment.
Bring a printed copy of your paper to the appointment. The tutor will have reviewed your paper before the session, so the session can focus on discussing your paper.
Tutorial sessions will be limited to four sessions per project and will last no longer than 60 minutes. Appointments can only be held for ten minutes past the scheduled time. If you are unable to meet at the scheduled day/time, please cancel the appointment and/or call the Writing Center (information on how to do so will be sent to you in an email after the appointment has been scheduled.)
Note Regarding Online Writing Center Sessions with Graduate Students:
Because we believe that the best conversations about writing occur in face-to-face sessions, we encourage you to come into the Writing Center for a tutorial session. However, if you are unable to come into the Writing Center, please contact Helen Raica-Klotz, Writing Center Director, at klotz@svsu.edu or via phone, (989) 964-6062, to schedule an individual online appointment with a graduate tutor.
