FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Why should I go see a writing assistant? Aren't tutorss just for stupid people?

Actually, smart students are the ones who work with writing assistants. They have discovered the value of testing out a draft on a reader to see if the writing is working. Professional writers, and even your professors, check their drafts out with others to see what is working in their writing and what needs work. Here at EOU, "A" students go to writing assistants. Writing assistants go to other writing assistants. They know networking with others is a quality of successful students, and that conversation with others about a draft is an important part of the writing process.

Who are the writing tutors?

Writing assistants are EOU students from all disciplines who have taken WR 220 Methods of Tutoring (a 3-credit course) in order to train to become effective writing assistants. They study writing process theory, learning theory, and writing center theory. They learn strategies for turning that theory into practice. They go to get help from other writing assistatns, they observe tutors, and they work on making their own writing stronger.

To become a writing assistant, students just need to have taken WR 121. The Writing Lab Director, Susan Whitelock, is always looking for interested students to take the course. She is especially looking for writers from all disciplines (you do not have to be a great writer, just a writer open to improving), and would especially like student athletes to take the course so that they can staff the Quinn Satellite Learning Resource Center/Writing Lab. The class is offered on campus each term , and also online eachSpring term. If you are interested in the course or have questions, visit Susan at LH 234C or email her at swhitelo@eou.edu.

Can a writing tutor edit my paper for me?

Editors cost $50 - $100 an hour. Writing assistants are free. Assistants cannot work as editors and proofread your paper for you. How would that help you become a better writer? A writing assistant can help you learn to recognize your error patterns and help you learn to correct those errors. The writing assistant motto is this: Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him to fish, and he eats for the rest of his life.

So if writing assistants can't edit my paper for me, what can they do?

Writing assistants can help fellow writers at all stages of the writing process. They can help students to

* get started and brainstorm or plan a response to an assignment

* choose or clarify an assignment, and to understand the purpose, audience, and occasion of a piece of writing

* understand that there are different conventions and expectations of different academic disciplines

* focus, develop, clarify, refine and organize ideas, helping writers to pay attention to, analyze, and improve their writing process to create effective writing

* discover spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, and style error patterns, and learn how to correct their own errors

* find and use available writing resources such as handbooks and online resources

* discuss appropriate methods of summarizing, paraphrasing, and documenting outside reading and research

When and where can I find writing assistants?

For daytime sessions, you can find writing assistants in the Learning Resource Center/ Writing Lab in Loso Hall 234. On a big white Schedule Board you will find where writing assistants have placed their photos and their schedules. Writing assistants put up half-hour slots that you can sign your name next to 24 hours in advance (writing assistants are students taking classes, so they need to know ahead of time). Sessions are generally 30 minutes long, but you can sign up for an hour if necessary.)

For evening Drop-In sessions when you don't' need an appointment but can just drop in, you can find writing assistants in both in Loso and also in Quinn in the new Satellite Learning Resource Center/Writing Lab which has just opened to create more access for busy student athletes and other student who find that location more accessible.  In addition, there writing assistants available some evenings in the Multicultural Center on the second floor of Hoke, and also in the dorms.

Loso Drop-In
Sunday and Tuesday- Thursday 7 - 10 p.m.
Monday 7 - 9 p.m.

Multicultural Center

Monday 6-8 p.m.

Tuesday 6-8 p.m.

Thursday 6-8 p.m.

Dorms--South Hall

Monday 8-10 p.m.

Thursday 8-10 p.m.

Quinn Drop-In Study Hall

Monday 7-8 p.m.

Wednesdsay 7-8 p.m.

Are there other kinds of tutors available?

Yes! Math Tutors are also available in the Loso Learning Resource Center. The Math lab operates exclusively on a drop-in schedule. No appointment is needed. Math tutors work during the day and in the evenings. Check the LRC website for an updated schedule: http://www.eou.edu/lcenter

Also, the LRC offers Group Study Sessions for some courses. Signs listing times and locations of specific sessions will be posted in various locations around campus.

What if I am taking EOU online courses?

If you are taking a DDE course, you can submit drafts online to the EOU Online Writing Lab (OWL) at http://www.eou.edu/writelab/

Where can I find some Writing Guides?

In both the Loso and Quinn Learning Resource Center/Writing Lab you will find Writing Guide notebooks that contain many handouts that student-writers find useful. On the OWL you will also find a "Resources for Writers" link that contains a variety of guides to help you with your writing.