What We Offer The Writing Center is a specialized, cross-disciplinary facility dedicated to individual instruction in writing. It is open to all members of the Methodist University community—students, faculty, and staff. Trained professional writing consultants with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree are available to assist writers with all aspects of writing, from planning through revision and final editing. Consultants will discuss your writing assignment with you and make suggestions on approaching a topic, organizing a paper, developing your style, or correcting recurring errors. Consultants may also direct you to other resources for further assistance. Consultants will not do the editing, writing, or proofing of your paper for you. Our goal is not only to help you with current projects but also to foster the skills and confidence necessary for your continued improvement and academic success.
Scheduling Your Appointment on WC ONLINE 1. Go to www.rich37.com/methodist. 2. First time users: register for an account as instructed on the website. 3. Log in using the e-mail address and password for your profile. 4. Click on an open time with the consultant of your choice. 5. Fill out the reservation form that pops up. Note that your name automatically appears. Complete the other fields as requested. Be sure to alert the consultant to the format type you are reserving (face-to-face, synchronous online, or asynchronous e-mail) as well as a brief description of what you want to accomplish during your appointment. 6. Log out. You will receive an automated e-mail confirming your appointment.
Services The Writing Center offers both reserved and unscheduled consultations with professional writing consultants, and day and evening workshops on specific topics, to assist the Methodist University community with its writing needs: u Face-to-face consultations at the Writing Center, Trustees’ Building Room 101, by appointment. u Synchronous online consultations via Google Docs with telephone or Google Chat conferencing, by appointment. u Asynchronous e-mail consultations, by appointment. u Day and evening workshops each semester on “The Dirty Dozen,” the 12 most common grammar errors. u Walk-in consultations at the Writing Center. Check in at the Writing Center at the top of the hour for available walk-in consultations. Resources u A reference library for writers, featuring print materials for grammar, composition, research, writing, and style guides for various disciplines. u Writing Center handouts and materials to take with you. u A relaxed and positive atmosphere in which to work on any reading or writing project. u 3 computers linked to the CAC Lab. u Access to a printer (maximum of 10 pages). u Wireless internet access. u Blackboard: our online Writing Center with 24/7 access to our handouts, to links of our recommended online resources, to the “Dirty Dozen Dare,” and to “Blackboard Beverly,” as well as our protocols, procedures, and Frequently Asked Questions about the Writing Center.
Choosing A Format Each format has advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your needs and on your writing project, you might want to try all three. For all types of consultations, you will schedule an appointment with a consultant using our web-based scheduler, WC ONLINE, at www.rich37.com/methodist. All appointments begin on the hour and last 45 minutes. Regardless of the format, consultants provide feedback and suggest possibilities, but do not dictate a course of action and do not proofread or edit your writing for you. Face-to-face consultation at the Writing Center u Our most comprehensive service. u Meet personally with a consultant to talk about your writing project. u Access to all of our onsite resources. Synchronous online consultation via Google Docs u Meet with a consultant from any location that provides access to the internet and telephone. u Upload your writing to Google Docs and share it with us. u Telephone the Writing Center at the beginning of your appointment. Google Chat is also available although it is less effective than telephoning. Asynchronous e-mail consultation u The most limited of our formats. u Your paper, submitted by e-mail, will be reviewed during your appointment time. u Your paper, and the consultant’s comments, will be e-mailed to you.