The Writers' Room

Who: The staff in the Writers’ Room is composed of part-time Liberal Arts instructors who have experience with all types of writing.  Jane Creason is the director.

What: The Writers’ Room is a place where students can get help with all kinds of writing tasks. It has two separate areas. In one area, there are four computers that students can use for word processing and self-guided grammar/usage review. In the other area, students can work one-on-one with an instructor. That room also has a large rack full of handouts for students.

When: The Writers’ Room opens the second week of each spring and fall semester and remains open until final exams begin. The hours are usually 9:00-2:30, Monday through Friday.

Where: The Writers’ Room is located on the second floor of Clock Tower, 205 and 205A.

How: If students want to see an instructor for one-on-one help, it is best to make an appointment in order to guarantee thirty minutes with the instructor. Appointments can be made by coming to Clock Tower 205A or by calling 443-8877 between 9:00 and 2:30.

Monday 
Jane Creason 9a-3p

Tuesday
Donna Martin 9a-3p

Wedneday
Donna Hageman 9a-3p

Thursday
Elaine Giermak 9a-3p

Friday
Joyce Alexander 9a-Noon

Students can also get help without an appointment if the instructor is not busy. No appointment is needed to use the computers, to take make-up tests, to work on the self-guided grammar review, or to pick up handouts.  Classroom instructors receive record sheets, indicating what their students have done in the Writers’ Room. One-on-one sessions: The sessions can cover any number of topics. A student may tell the instructor  what he or she needs to work on. Many students make return visits to get additional help on one or more  papers. The goal is for students to become better, more confident writers. The staff can help with the following, for example:

• Developing a thesis statement

• Organizing and supporting main ideas

• Locating and correcting surface errors

• Correcting major errors, such as fragments, run-ons, agreement, or verb tense

• Documenting a research paper in either APA or MLA style

Other special kinds of help are offered:
 
Handouts: Students can pick up handouts about many writing related topics, such as using research material, paraphrasing, summarizing, outlining, proofreading, taking essay exams, and using commas correctly. Sometimes, students receive handouts related to material being covered in a one-on-one session.
 
Make-up tests and quizzes: Students may come to complete make-up tests, quizzes, or in-class writing assignments that have been left in the Writers’ Room by classroom instructors. No appointment is necessary to complete make-up work.
 
Exit exam practice: English 101 students can also have additional experience with exit exam writing. Some ask for help with a summary/response paper done for a classroom instructor. Some use readings and prompts from the Writers’ Room for extra practice, often times working one-on-one during each step of preparing and writing a summary/response paper. Some students get both kinds of help.
 
Documentation workshop: Once or twice a semester, Jane Creason offers a one-hour workshop to help students document a research paper. Students receive handouts about MLA and/or APA style. They learn the basics about using research material in a paper. Many who attend the workshop come in later for more one-on-one help as they work on the paper. The date and time for each workshop is listed on bulletin boards around the campus and publicized in the PBR and the student paper. The workshops are usually in March and October in Clock Tower.
 
Self-guided grammar and usage review: The Writers’ Room’s newest program, which is being funded by Tech Prep, offers students several ways to review grammar and to reduce writing errors. First, a student needs to make one appointment with a Writers’ Room instructor to learn how to use the program that he or she has chosen. After that, the student can work independently anytime during Writers’ Room’s hours. One method uses Blue Pencil, which is on the computers in 205. Another, English 3200 offers a very comprehensive coverage of grammar and usage, using a book, paper, and pen. A third method is on-line, using grammar material connected to the Rhetoric I text.