Center for Academic Enrichment - Writing Tutoring
Questions and Answers
Q. Is there a fee for writing tutorial help?
A. No. Writing tutoring is free to any student at Lincoln University.
Q. What is a tutoring session?
A. It's a one-on-one conversation about a writing assignment--one student, one tutor, one paper. The tutors will try to be a source of feedback on any kind of writing assignment and at any stage of the composition process, from brainstorming to polishing a final draft. Sessions are scheduled for 30-45 minutes.
Q. Will the writing tutors proofread or edit papers?
A. The writing tutors don't proofread and they don't edit. They won't make corrections as they read your paper. They will, however, talk with you about how you can improve any aspect of a paper, ranging from punctuation to overall organization--depending on what you ask for. The aim of tutoring sessions is to make you better able to evaluate your own writing, and to revise it accordingly.
Q. What should I bring to a tutoring session?
A. The tutors deal with specific papers written in response to specific assignments. With this in mind, it's a good idea to bring a copy of the assignment when you come to a session, as well as a copy of your paper. You do not need to have a completed draft in order to come in. Some students like to talk with a tutor in the earlier stages of the writing process to brainstorm ideas or, perhaps, work on an outline.
Q. Can the tutors show me how to use footnotes? I don't need help with my paper; I just need to know how to cite my sources.
A. The writing tutors can help you solve problems like these, but first you should check with your instructor. Different disciplines use different styles of citation, and some instructors have specific models they want you to follow, which the tutor may not know about. In general, the humanities prefer the MLA style and the social sciences favor APA. You should, however, always ask your instructor for further clarification.
Q. Is it necessary to make an appointment for tutoring? Do you accept walk-ins?
A. It's not necessary to make an appointment, but it's usually a good idea. The writing tutors make every effort to accommodate walk-ins, but sometimes they're just too busy (especially towards the end of a semester.) Please call (573) 681-5968 to schedule an appointment.
Q. What are your hours?
A. 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. MTWR; 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. F
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