Category: Writing Center

Categories
Writing Center

What Student Teaching Taught Me About Writing Consultations

Student teaching taught me to view the Writing Center as a place to interact with human beings, and not just fix papers. 

Student teaching is, as they say, a once in a lifetime experience. A single semester of trying to teach a class that’s not your own—designing and teaching lessons for someone else’s students, grading homework and projects for someone else’s class, writing tests for students you will soon leave. It is the limbo between being a student and being a teacher: a time to make mistakes, a place to be corrected. 

For me, student teaching was a lot of making mistakes and a lot of being corrected. 

Continue reading “What Student Teaching Taught Me About Writing Consultations”
Categories
Writing at Wheaton Writing Center

The Writing Center Is for Science Majors, Too!

Writing? In the sciences? Strange, I know. Even at a liberal arts college like Wheaton, we often think of science and writing as belonging on opposite sides of the academic spectrum, as if there is a great distance between STEM and the humanities. However, as an English major and former Pre-Med student, I have seen firsthand that they are not quite that distinct. Writing isn’t just for the aspiring novelist or literary critic; it is a skill that can serve you in nearly every facet of your life. 

Continue reading “The Writing Center Is for Science Majors, Too!”
Categories
Writing Center

Inside Two Writing Centers: An Interview with DePaul University Tutors

This interview was recorded via Zoom on Monday, February 14th, between DePaul University’s writing tutor Ishika B. and Wheaton College’s Writing Consultant Eunice R. DePaul’s Writing Center Blog Editor, Miriam C., prepared and asked the bold questions. Wheaton’s Online Operations Coordinator, Maggie R., supervised the process. We hope you enjoy this conversation between peer writing tutors!

Continue reading “Inside Two Writing Centers: An Interview with DePaul University Tutors”
Categories
Writing at Wheaton Writing Center

“It’s Empowering”: A Grad Student’s Experience at the Writing Center

Many students can feel hesitant entering the Writing Center, but one graduate client, Caitlin McNamara, has just the advice for them. 

Caitlin is a graduate student in the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy program, and she has frequented the Writing Center regularly for two years. We interviewed her to see why she keeps coming back–and why she recommends that others do so too.

Continue reading ““It’s Empowering”: A Grad Student’s Experience at the Writing Center”
Categories
Book Reviews Writing Center

Metaphors for a Charitable Writing Center

I have a confession to make. On day one of Writing Center training, I learned to avoid the metaphor of a “fix-it shop” when describing my job. But I still find myself saying things like “I help people fix things that don’t work in their papers” when I’m explaining the Writing Center to other people.

Continue reading “Metaphors for a Charitable Writing Center”
Categories
Writing at Wheaton Writing Center

How Our ESL Specialists Support Writers

Writing academic papers in one’s first language can feel like a mammoth task. But many students in our campus community are learning, reading, and writing in English as a second or additional language. These students carry the same academic load while completing their assignments in a language that is not their first. 

Continue reading “How Our ESL Specialists Support Writers”
Categories
Professional Development Writing Center

5 Reasons to Work at the Writing Center

As you attempt to make the most of yet another “COVID-Safe, Thunder-Strong” semester, planning for the next school year may be the last thing on your mind. However, if you’re in search of a fun and rewarding on-campus job, look no further. The Writing Center is looking to hire new consultants for the 2021-2022 school year, and below are the top five reasons why you should apply.

Continue reading “5 Reasons to Work at the Writing Center”
Categories
Writing Center

9 Myths About the Writing Center

There are many misconceptions about the Writing Center. This article debunks the nine most common misconceptions about the Writing Center’s purpose, clientele, and consultants. 

Continue reading “9 Myths About the Writing Center”
Categories
Writing at Wheaton Writing Center

Musicians are Writers: Why Conservatory Students Should Visit the Writing Center

Photo courtesy of Daniel Hagenbuch

Wheaton College has built a reputation for attracting excellent students in all areas of study, and music is no exception. Every fall, Wheaton welcomes 40-50 freshman music majors into the Conservatory of Music to learn from dozens of esteemed faculty members.

Continue reading “Musicians are Writers: Why Conservatory Students Should Visit the Writing Center”
Categories
Writing Center

Tips for a Successful Online Consultation

I was going to open with a phrase about the “new normal in these unprecedented times,” but let’s face it, you’ve come to accept that everything is changing. Especially relevant to a college community, COVID-19 has forced the world to rework the way it handles in-person commitments. 

Continue reading “Tips for a Successful Online Consultation”