Our Approach: We use a collaborative approach to teaching writing. By asking questions, we discover what you need to work on and help you generate ideas. Then we offer strategies for writing--strategies that you can use on your own for all your writing.

 
How it works: We are coaches, not critics, which means we sit side by side with you, read and talk over your writing, and suggest specific strategies for improvement. We don't correct or proofread for you, but work with you to improve not only the writing you've brought us, but your writing in general. You can bring an assignment to the Writing Center for help getting started, or bring a draft at any stage for help with revision, editing, or proofreading. Generally, your coach will first ask you to look at "global areas" (focus or thesis, development, organization), and deal with "local" areas (like grammar) only when those larger aspects of your paper are in good shape. When you leave the Center, you will have made real progress, and you'll have a sense of what to do next.

 
Most important advice: Don't wait until the night before it's due! Coming in just one night earlier can save you plenty of headaches. Coming in a week earlier could mean better grades, as well as less stress. So: PLAN AHEAD.
 

Designated coaches: If you'd like to work on your writing in the Center over a period of time, the Writing Center director can help by "designating" a coach for you to work with. E-mail the director at einness-brown@smcvt.edu, and she can help you select the coach who will be best for you.