The Writing Lab for Students
HOW CAN THE WRITING LAB HELP ME?
- Conventions: Appropriate format, citing sources and mechanics that meet reader expectations
- Organization: Paragraph sequence, structure transitions, and staying on topic
- Content: Information, explanations, and evidence tied to a clear central idea
- Syntax: Sentences issues, including punctuation
- Diction: Appropriate and effective vocabulary
- Process: Making a plan to draft and develop a piece of writing
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO A WRITING SESSION?
- The assignment – What did your instructor ask you to do? Please bring the assignment sheet.
- What you’ve done – Whether it’s questions or ideas or notes or diagrams or a partial or complete draft.
- Priorities – What aspects of the assignment do you most want help with? What questions do you have?
- Attitude – A willingness to participate and listen and a desire to improve.
WHAT SHOULD I KEEP IN MIND?
- The earlier you come in before the assignment is due, the more we can help you. But you can bring in your work at any stage.
- We don’t “fix” or “correct” papers; we do give you feedback and strategies for how you can improve your writing.
- You don’t have to be “stuck” or be a weaker writer to use the Writing Lab; you only need to be someone who wants to talk through your writing.
- The Writing Lab isn’t just for papers. We can also look at graduate or scholarship applications, scripts for oral presentations, copy for poster presentations or PPTs, texts of speeches, or any other written material.
The more you take ownership of your writing quality, the better your chances of improving as a writer.
The Writing Lab is equipped to assist education majors with the Praxis exam. The consultants can discuss the writing portion of the exam, examine strategies to write the essays and look over practice essays.
If you consider yourself a writer, like talking about writing, and simply want a cool campus job working with interesting people, then the Writing Lab may be a good fit for you. We strive to have consultants from a wide variety of majors and interests, so even if you are not an English major, you should still apply. You must earn the recommendation of our English faculty members. If you are interested, contact Janet Lack at lack@midlandu.edu.