The Writing Center

Student FAQs

Where is the Writing Center located? When is it open?

The Writing Center is located in Wilson Hall, room 121. Feel free to stop by and see our facility or ask any questions that you may have about the Writing Center. During the Fall and Spring semesters, our hours are as follows:

Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday: Closed

What type of help can I receive from the Writing Center?

The Writing Center is a service provided by the University of Alabama to help students improve various aspects of their writing. Because of our commitment to serve students across all disciplines, the Writing Center can help with issues such as brainstorming, organization, grammar, and revising.

What can I expect from a Writing Center tutorial?

Writing Center tutorials allow clients to work one-on-one with an experienced and trained writing tutor. Most Writing Center tutorials last anywhere from 30-45 minutes, and the focus of the tutorial is largely up to the client. At the start of each session, the goal will be to fully understand the assignment and establish the larger concerns/issues for the paper.

After reviewing your draft, the tutor will provide constructive criticism, pointing out the perceived strengths and weaknesses of your work, perhaps encouraging you to re-write during the tutorial itself. At the end of your session, the tutor will provide you with concrete strategies for improving your writing.

I don't have a lot of time, and the only things I'm worried about are grammatical issues. Can I just drop off my paper at the Writing Center and come back to pick it up later, after a tutor's had the chance to fix things?

Our primary goal in the Writing Center is to help you become a stronger writer through an extended conversation with one of our tutors. We expect you to take an active and invested role in the composition and revision of your writing. As a result, you must be present for and involved in your tutoring session - you cannot simply drop your paper off and pick it up later.

Why won't my tutor write on my draft?

Your tutor's primary task is to engage you in the work of actively revising your draft. By avoiding writing on your draft and, in turn, asking you to make corrections and revise, your tutor is involving you in the revision process.

Will I get a better grade on my paper if I come to the Writing Center?

While the Writing Center is here to help students with their writing, we are not in the business of giving out grades. Ultimately, your professor is the one responsible for reviewing your paper and for assigning a particular grade. As a result, the Writing Center cannot and will not guarantee or discuss grades. For any grade-related issues, you should contact your professor directly.

What should I bring to my tutorial?

If you bring nothing else, bring your assignment. This will help us understand the work you need to do and how we can help you do it. Of course, any relevant texts, a pen or pencil, and a willingness to discuss your work are helpful!

I want to visit the Writing Center, but I don't know if I can afford it financially. How much does it cost to come to the Writing Center?

The Writing Center is a free service provided to all University of Alabama students.

Who works in the Writing Center?

Currently, the Writing Center is staffed entirely by graduate students within the University of Alabama English Department. Each of these graduate students receives extensive and ongoing training in order to insure that all Writing Center visitors receive careful and considerable aid.

Can I just show up at the Writing Center, or do I need to make an appointment?

The Writing Center does accommodate walk-in clients, although we would prefer that you make an appointment. Making an appointment insures that a tutor will be available to help you with your writing. Appointments for the Writing Center can be made via our online scheduling system.

I'm an Engineer (or nurse, social work student, etc.), not an English major. Will the Writing Center be able to help me with my writing assignment?

Writing Center staff members are trained to assist all University of Alabama students with their writing assignments, regardless of major. We have worked with students from the following disciplines: History, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Business, Engineering, English, Art History, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Clothing-Textiles-Interior Design, Management Information Systems, and many, many others.

My professor told me something different than my Writing Center tutor. To whom should I listen?

Though the Writing Center staff is trained to provide you with the best help possible, the fact of the matter is that your professor is the ultimate authority for all writing assignments related to the class. If you have a question about some discrepancy between what the professor said and what the tutor said, then you should ask your professor to clarify or elaborate on the issue.

I'm a graduate student working on my thesis (or dissertation). Does the Writing Center provide any services that I can take advantage of?

For graduate students working on their theses or dissertations, the Writing Center can provide some specific rhetorical, conceptual, and sentence-level input. Keep in mind, however, the Writing Center is not a proofreading center. For widespread proofreading issues, graduate students should consult the Graduate School office, as they can suggest experienced proofreaders who are specially trained to work on theses and dissertations.

Does the Writing Center provide online tutoring?

Yes, the Writing Center provides online tutoring for those currently enrolled in distance-learning sections. If you are a distance-learning student, your instructor can provide you with additional information on how to submit a paper electronically for review.