Writing Support
College-level writing challenges students to develop their critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. While many high school graduates are adept at executing certain forms of writing, such as a 5-paragraph essay on an assigned topic, they often find that college-level writing entails higher-level skills such as assessing information sources, formulating complex arguments, synthesizing multiple sources, and documenting research.
The Center for Teaching & Learning offers writing support to all SHU students. We help students develop as critical thinkers, readers, and writers. Using the principles of self-directed learning, writing tutors empower students to take charge of their writing process and develop as confident, autonomous learners.
How the CTL Helps Students with Writing
For example, a tutor may ask a student, "What do you want to accomplish today?" or "Do you want to focus on mechanics, thesis development, or documentation?" Or, a tutor may invite a conversation about the student's goals by suggesting, "Talk to me about your priorities for this assignment." The tutor may propose that the student set aside a regular time to meet and work on a series of short assignments or on a multi-stage assignment or longer project.
Tutors help students develop an understanding of their cognitive processes by asking questions such as, "How can I best help you on this assignment?" and "What kind of feedback in this session will be most useful to you?" Tutors have the training and experience to read students' reactions to their feedback and to respond to each student's needs. For example, tutors may suggest auditory strategies, such as reading aloud; visual strategies, such as graphic organizers; or kinesthetic strategies, such as writing in longhand.
While writing tutors encourage students to take charge of their writing process, the tutor's role is to help the student tackle an assignment according to the assignment guidelines and objectives set out by the course instructor. If a student is unclear on the purpose and goals of the assignment, the tutor will encourage the student to contact the instructor.
Tutors help each student leave a writing session with a sense of accomplishment and with the confidence that the student can take charge of the assignment. By sharing with students effective tools that they can apply to their writing assignments, writing tutors aim to increase each student's self-confidence. The CTL thereby empowers students and inspires them to invest in their own intellectual development.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make an appointment by visiting the PASS Portal. Please know that visiting one of our drop-in tutoring locations does not require an appointment, and drop-in locations may be viewed on the PASS Portal.
Scheduling is a good idea, particularly if a deadline is looming. Be sure to make your appointment on the PASS Portal—or submit your assignment online to the Online Writing Lab (OWL)—in good time, to leave you enough time to revise. You should give yourself at least 24 hours after a writing session and 72 hours after an OWL submission to ensure that you can apply what you've learned to the draft.
CTL tutors do not copy edit, proofread, or revise student papers. Your tutor will help you develop effective reading and writing strategies and practices that will make the writing process easier and a lot more productive. OWL tutors can offer specific feedback on argumentation, mechanics, style, and documentation, but it's up to the student to implement the tutor's feedback in conjunction with the instructor's guidelines.
No, however, students can submit papers to the Online Writing Lab (OWL).
Yes, students are welcome to use any and all of our support services in any combination.
Your instructor wants you to do as well as possible in your course. It's a good idea to ask your instructor what you need to work on. Your instructor may mention something specific, such as argumentation (thesis development and supporting arguments) or mechanics (grammar and punctuation). Your instructor may make a more general recommendation (such as using objective language or broadening your vocabulary). In any case, a session with a writing tutor isn't a punishment! We're here to help you do as well as you can in your courses. And, because we try to make each session as productive as possible, there's a good chance that you'll leave the session feeling much more confident about your work. You and your instructor will be pleased that you've taken charge of your learning!
No, we do not disclose the identities of students who seek out our tutoring services. However, students are welcome to share with their instructors that they have worked with us.
The CTL is located on the second floor of the West Building on West Campus. View a map & detailed directions to the CTL.