We recognize growth in writing as an individual process that happens over time, and we strive to facilitate that growth by offering constructive feedback in a comfortable environment. Our philosophy hearkens back to the old adage: if you give a man a fish, he eats for a day; if you teach him to fish, he eats for a lifetime. Our mission is to help writers learn effective writing strategies, principles, and processes that they can then apply to specific writing tasks or assignments in a variety of academic disciplines and professional settings.

In support of this mission, we subscribe to the following guidelines for students and other writers using our services.

Please ask us to:

• Read your writing carefully and respond to it thoughtfully.
• Ask you questions about your writing and your writing process.
• Help you brainstorm ideas to get started on an assignment.
• Listen to you talk through your ideas.
• Answer questions about grammar and style.
• Talk with you about how to organize your thoughts.
• Teach you strategies for revising and proofreading your writing.

Please do not ask us to:

• Revise, edit, or proofread your paper FOR you. Tutoring is a collaborative conversation, and the WRITER must make decisions and revisions.
• Comment on a grade you have received on an assignment, or suggest a grade you might receive. We will respond to your writing, but we won't second-guess grades.
• Criticize professors or their assignments, grading policies, or personality. For us to do so would be unethical and unprofessional.

We look forward to seeing you in the Writing Center!