Writing Support
The Learning Center provides writing support to serve the needs of Shippensburg University faculty, staff, and students. Writing Support staff members are available to answer questions, provide resources, and meet with faculty members, students, or with entire classes.
The Writing Support staff provides tutoring to students, both face-to-face and online. It is our goal to teach those seeking writing support how to develop their own writing skills; therefore, writing tutors will not edit, proofread, or re-write any wording for their tutees. Instead, tutors will guide tutees through the steps of the writing process and offer, if desired, strategies for writing success.
In one session, for instance, the tutor or online support may help the tutee brainstorm to find a good topic, write a working thesis statement and construct a rough outline for the paper. Then, at a second session, the tutor or online support can assist the tutee in revising and, perhaps, editing the paper. In cases where much revision is needed, the tutee may choose to schedule a third session to put the finishing touches on the writing assignment. Because writing is a process, the writing tutor will most often request that the tutee meet for at least two sessions to work through this process.
Whether online or face-to-face, students should come to writing sessions prepared to be actively involved in revising, editing, and proofreading their papers. For this reason, a student should NOT wait until the last minute to schedule a writing tutor session or submit a paper for online review. Instead, the student seeking help in writing a paper should schedule tutoring or seek online feedback well in advance of the writing assignment due date.
Are you interested in coming to The Learning Center for assistance with a specific writing need?
- Click here for instructions on how to set up and prepare for a Writing Support Tutor appointment.
Are you interested in on-line writing support?
- Writing Support at the Learning Center provides web-based writing support through MyCompLab to students who have access to this online site. Click here for information about MyCompLab.
Would you like to work through the writing process on your own?
- Writing Support at the Learning Center also provides web-based writing support through online resources to assist students in working through the writing process. Please click on any of the resources below for the writing support you need.
Writer's Resources
The following handouts are in PDF format. You will need Adobe reader to open the links below. You can download Acrobat free from Adobe's website.