FAQs

What happens during an appointment?

You meet individually for 30 minutes with a tutor who is an English faculty member or an English Graduate Research Assistant. During the tutorial, the tutor will work with you on specific concerns you may have regarding your writing assignment.

Are appointments required?

They are not mandatory but encouraged. We cannot guarantee that walk-ins will be able to see a tutor.

How do I make an appointment?

To make an appointment you can come by TLC 1201, call us at (678) 839-6513, or e-mail us at writing@westga.edu.

How long will my appointment be, and how often can I come in?

Each appointment is 30 minutes, unless English is your second language, if you identify as having a documented learning disability, or you are a graduate student. In these cases, the appointment can be extended to one hour if requested.

You may come in no more than two times per day or three appointments in one week. Sorry, no exceptions unless it is cleared with the Coordinator or Administrative Assistant under extraordinary circumstances.

What should I bring to the appointment?

Please bring your assignment sheet (or guidelines for scholarship work), a hard copy of your essay (if your essay is on a flash drive, we cannot guarantee a free computer for tutorial work. Always try to bring a print-out), and any resources you may need help citing. Please keep in mind that if you bring your paper on a flash drive or laptop, the tutor does reserve the right to request that you leave and obtain a printed copy of the paper.

What is a workshop?

A workshop is a special presentation the University Writing Center provides upon the request of individual professors. Topics for workshops usually include specific writing topics such as Quote Integrations, Passive versus Active voice, and Introductions and Conclusions. For more information on workshop-related class visits, contact Duane Theobald, Coordinator of the UWC, at dtheobal@westga.edu or at (678) 839-5312.

What if English is not my first language?

The University Writing Center welcomes multilingual students! You may schedule a 1-hour appointment to make sure there is enough time for content questions and language questions. You can make appointments just to talk about language, too. Feel free to use our computers (if available) to write papers or to practice English online.

Do you do group tutorials, and if so, can one member of a group bring in an essay that the entire group has worked on?

Yes, we do have group tutorials. We ask that as many group members as possible come to help make the essay cohesive.

Can you help me cite sources?

All of the tutors in the University Writing Center specialize in MLA; however, we can also assist with APA, Chicago/Turabian, etc. We do ask that students either bring in their style manual for the tutorial or request a copy from the tutor, as the UWC does have most style guides available. Should we not have a copy of a certain citation style, please inform either the Coordinator or the Administrative Assistant. Also, visit our Helpful Handouts/Resources tab for more information on style. 

Can you help me with grammar?

Yes, but we do not proofread essays. So, if tutors notice a particular grammar problem, they will teach you how to recognize and correct the error. We expect you to learn how to proofread your own work. Also, keep in mind that the tutors, due to time constraints, may not be able to point out and address all grammatical concerns. Should you still have questions after any tutorial, you can always make an additional appointment.

Who will be my tutor?

Your tutor will be a Department of English faculty member or an English graduate student.

Can I request a particular tutor?

Yes, you may, but please be advised that all tutors have a limited schedule each week, so it may be difficult to satisfy your request. However, all of our tutors are excellent, so anyone will be able to work with you.

Will my professor know that I have come to the University Writing Center?

Other than specific requests, your professor will not know of your attendance. You may request a verification form for your tutor to fill out at the end of the session.

What happens if campus closes due to weather or other events?

If campus closes for any reason, the University Writing Center closes as well. If you have an appointment, please call us the following day at 678-839-6513 to reschedule.