Frequently Asked Questions
Do RWC tutors correct or edit student writing?
Definitely not. Tutors take a hands-off approach, never purely proofreading or correcting a student’s work. Instead, they assist students to find and fix error patterns on their own. In order to assist students develop or clarify their writing, we ask questions and give guidance rather than directions so that changes belong to the student.
Many in my class need assistance on a current assignment. Can I send them all to the RWC?
No, as our limited space and tutor availability means that we are unable to help students effectively when an entire class is required to come in. You may refer up to three students at a time by filling out a Writing Assistance Referral Form. If you wish to send more than three students at a time to the RWC, please contact us for a class workshop.
Can I refer a student to the RWC?
Yes, you can refer a student to us by filling out our referral form, though please remember that the RWC is not a place for “bad” writers to go in order to “fix” their writing. Encouraging students to talk to a tutor in order to improve their writing skills will result in a more fruitful session.
Are tutors available to provide presentations about writing?
Yes, tutors can visit your classroom to provide a presentation on writing topics like punctuation, source citation, and avoiding plagiarism. Contact us to see if we can provide your class with a presentation. Email us early, as these presentations have limited availability.
Does receiving writing assistance amount to collusion?
While a tutoring session is often collaborative, with tutors and students exchanging ideas about basic usage, form, and style as well as the assignment’s content, RWC policy mandates that student writing remain the work of the student. Tutors, then, are not allowed to supply students with answers or do any of the work for them. If you wish for your students not to receive help on a specific assignment, please indicate as much on the assignment guidelines.
If I send a student to the RWC, will I see immediate improvement in his/her paper?
The RWC's goal is to assist students become more effective and confident writers rather than help them create a "perfect" paper. Because our tutors do not proofread student writing or otherwise assume an editorial role, it can sometimes take awhile for papers to demonstrate student progress.