Writing Center

The Writing Center is here to help you handle some of the stress of the writing process – from brainstorming to the finished document – whether or not it's for a class. The Writing Center is staffed by professional writing consultants and the director. The Center is located in the Teaching and Learning Center, Room 2308. It’s right above the Library Café. Join the Writing Center Facebook Group.

Writing Resources & Helpful Links

The Writing Center is open for spring semester with hours available Sunday evenings through Fridays. You may make appointments to work online with Nora Streed, and either online or in person in the Writing Center with Melissa MacLeod. You must wear masks to visit the Writing Center in person if required by current campus policy.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

The Writing Center is available to all UNCSA students, staff, and faculty to help with any writing questions at all, whether or not it is for a class assignment – including grant proposals, screenplays, fellowship/internship/college applications, novels, poetry, your thesis – and we can help you get started or get unstuck in the middle or your work, as well as help you learn to proofread your work effectively.

Writing is stressful for many people, and we’re here to help you tell your story with skill and confidence. More information, including current hours, writing resources, and easy instructions for making appointments, is available on our LibGuide page: https://library.uncsa.edu/writingcenter-esl

FAQs About the Writing Center

What kinds of writing can you help me with?

Anything you are working on: essays, class assignments, research papers, summaries, manuscripts, graduate thesis work, professional statements, and creative writing.

What happens in a typical Writing Center tutoring session?

The tutor will spend time talking with you about the paper, and will ask you to clarify where you are in the writing process and where you need help. They may ask to see a copy of the assignment and the paper guidelines. Then you will work together, reading through the paper, discussing areas to develop, and ways to make the work stronger. Specifics will depend on the session and your needs. They can also help you with citation and correct forms of documentation.

How long is a tutoring session?

It depends. Some sessions are short and some may take up to an hour. A typical session lasts about 30 minutes.

What do I need for a tutoring session?

If you are meeting online, you'll need the current draft of your paper as well as the assignment/guidelines or course syllabus (if applicable) from your instructor. You can send us a file or simply use the screen-sharing function in Zoom.
If you are meeting in person, a printout of your current draft is best, if you have it. There is a printer available for this purpose in the Writing Center.

Will my teacher get notification that I have been to the Writing Center?

Yes. With your permission, we will email your instructor with a brief overview of the tutor session. Most instructors are happy to learn that their students have made use of the Writing Center, and some even offer grading incentives to visit.

My teacher has told me I need to visit the Writing Center – why?

Discuss this with your instructor. Most instructors have specific recommendations about how to strengthen your writing, and you can share these with the tutor.

Where are you located?

The Writing Center is now located in the Teaching Learning Center above the Library Café.

Do I have to make an appointment?

Hours will vary by semester and may change without notice.

In-person meeting with Melissa MacLeod: You are not required to make an appointment at this time, but you may do so at the link below. Walk-in visits are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Hours are shown above.

Zoom appointment with Nora Streed: You must make an appointment online for a Zoom meeting.

Make Your Appointment

Contact

Nora Streed
Director, Writing Center and ESL Services
writingcenter@uncsa.edu