THE WRITING CENTER

Inver Hills Community College

Your Guide Through the Writing Process

Mission:  The Writing Center offers students individual tutoring in every phase of the writing process, from generating ideas to drafting and editing a paper to documenting sources.  We also guide students' use of computers to enhance their writing efforts. The Writing Center can benefit students in all levels of writing and in all subjects (biology, sociology, art, psychology, law enforcement, etc.).  Even the most accomplished novelists need feedback from other people to develop their writing to its fullest.

Philosophy:  We concentrate on helping you improve as a writer, not on helping to improve your writing.  We are not a drop-off editing service, nor do we “fix” papers.  We will give you the tools to become a better writer; we won't do the writing for you.

Location:  The Writing Center is located on the second floor of the Library Building (across from the Assessments/G.E.D. Testing desk). 

Phone:  651-450-8598

Web Site:   http://www.inverhills.edu/StudentResources/LearningCenter/WritingCenter.aspx

Hours of Operation:               Monday:  9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

                                                Tuesday:  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

                                                Wednesday:  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

                                                Thursday:  9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

                                                Friday:  9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Staff:  Elizabeth Kellett and Amanda Pruka are the lab assistants who staff the Writing Center.  They are experienced as writers and teachers of writing.  Student tutors who have been trained to assist all types of student writers are also available to provide writing assistance.  Laurel Watt and Keith Richter are the faculty coordinators of the Writing Center and occasionally provide tutoring.  Other English and reading faculty will also be available to assist students.

Checking In:  Each time you come to the Writing Center, whether it is for a tutoring conference, to use the Writing Center computers, or simply to study, please check in and check out on the log-in computer near the row of black filing cabinets across from the Assessment/G.E.D. testing desk.  This will help ensure the future of the Writing Center by documenting the need for the services we offer.   It will also help us evaluate our services and develop ways to better assist you.  You will need to know your student ID number when checking in and out.

Guidelines for Using the Writing Center:

1.  Come to the Writing Center prepared:

·        Bring your ideas or drafts early in the process—not the day before the paper is due.

·        Plan to come more than once, particularly if you have a lot of grammar problems.

·        Bring your textbook(s).

·        Bring your assignment sheet or notes about the requirements for the assignment.

·        Bring hard copies of your essays.  It’s difficult to work with essays on laptops. 

2.  Have realistic expectations about what the Writing Center can do for you:

·        Expect to take an active, participatory role in the tutoring conference.

·        Expect that the conference will last no more than 60 minutes.

·        Expect to address high order concerns like thesis and development early in the process.

·        Expect to address low order concerns like grammar and punctuation later in the process.

·        Do not expect that every problem in a paper will be addressed.  Tutors will focus on patterns of errors that you can realistically learn to correct in the time available. 

·        Do not expect that going to the Writing Center guarantees you will get an "A".

·        Do not expect to drop off your paper to be proofread and/or commented on in your absence.

Accessing the Writing Center, its staff, and its services:  Currently, there are four ways you can receive assistance from Writing Center staff:  walk-in conferences, conferences by appointment, e-mail submissions, and online question submissions.   

1.      Walk-in conferences:  Simply come to the Writing Center during its hours of operation, check in on the computer across from the Assessments/G.E.D. Testing desk, look for an on-duty tutor (we will be looking for you as well), and begin your conference.  When Amanda and Elizabeth do not have appointments, they will be happy to assist you.  Otherwise, student tutors will often be available.  If the Center is busy, your time may be limited, or you may have to wait your turn, but tutors will help you as soon as they can. 

2.      Making an appointment:   Making an appointment is your best bet to get all the help you need at a time that is convenient for you.  Make your appointments at least two days in advance.  If necessary, you may sign up for two back-to-back appointments, but no more.  There is a self-service appointment book in the Writing Center (look for a three-ring binder), or you can call the Center directly and make an appointment.  If you cannot make it to your appointment, please cancel at least one hour before the appointment time by calling or coming in to the Writing Center.  Students with three no-shows will be denied appointments the rest of the term; however, they may still use the walk-in service.  Please be on time to your appointment.  If you are 10 minutes late, tutors will move on to help other students and you will have to schedule a new appointment.

3.      E-mail Tutoring:  This service is reserved for Inver Hills students in evening or online classes, or students who cannot come during the Writing Center’s normal hours of operation. 

4.      Quick Question:  This service is available to all Inver Hills students.  Please see the Writing Center’s web site for more information on either Quick Question or E-mail Tutoring.