Writing Center FAQ
Why the Writing Center?
Today's fast-paced world now more than ever demands effective communication skills to excel. Being an effective writer will dramatically increase students' chances of success in both their academic career and chosen profession. As the value of writing skills continues to increase, more and more students are entering college today with little exposure or practice with good writing. As a result, students become discouraged, do poorly on assignments, and often give up their dreams of a degree and career because they do not have access to the assistance they need to improve their writing.
Visit the Writing Center
The Writing Center is here to help. It has been established to help students with a variety of writing needs, no matter the stage of the process, as well as a variety of tutoring services. Pay the Writing Center a visit and start your journey to better grammar, essays, and communication.
Brenham Campus: Academic Building - Room 9
Phone: 979-830-4699
Bryan Campus: A-118
Phone: 979-209-7591
Blinn students working on any writing assignment at any stage of the writing process may use The Writing Center.
While it is not necessary to make an appointment to use The Writing Center, appointments are encouraged to secure a tutoring session. Students must realize that by not making an appointment that they run the risk of not being able to meet with a tutor immediately, and may, in fact, have to wait several days for another opportunity.
- Plenty of notebook paper and a pen or a pencil;
- A copy of the paper assignment;
- Class notes about the paper assignment;
- The textbooks from the class for which the paper is being written;
- Research notes and research materials (such as library books) for the paper;
- Brainstorming, prewriting, outlining, or other ideas related to the paper; and
- A few specific questions or concerns about the paper.
Students who come to The Writing Center should come prepared to work on their writing. The Writing Center is not for social gathering; therefore, strict guidelines are in place to ensure that The Writing Center maintains a quiet, learner's atmosphere where students can work on their assignments without distraction. Any student exhibiting disruptive behavior will be asked to leave immediately.
Tutors in The Writing Center will gladly help students with their literary writing assignments. The best sources for information on literary interpretation, however, are students’ specific English Literature instructors. This is true for all courses. While the tutors can offer assistance with understanding assignments and prompts, students should always defer to their instructors for their final word.
The Writing Center is a place for students to engage in individualized, active learning about their own writing. As a result, writing tutors in The Writing Center do not write on students’ papers. Instead, tutors ask students to read their papers aloud and both ask and answer questions about their papers. By engaging students in conversation about their papers, writing tutors help students not only to recognize, but also to understand and improve potential weaknesses (and strengths!) in their writing.
Writing tutors can help students with almost any concern related to writing. Writing tutors, however, do not estimate, predict, guarantee, or discuss grades. Likewise, these tutors do not discuss specific instructors or these instructors’ particular classroom policies. Students are not permitted to “drop off” their paper for a tutor to edit or proofread. Tutors can assist students with improving their editing and proofreading skills during sessions, if students request this assistance.
Absolutely! In fact, one of the best ways to reinforce learning and correction is to go over a paper in-depth and analyze errors and problem situations so that they are not repeated. Understanding the "why" and "how" of mistakes is the first step in eliminating them in future assignments.
Additional information about The Writing Center is available in person in Academic Room 9 on the Brenham Campus or by telephone at 979-830-4699 (Brenham) as well as Buidling A, Room 118 on the Bryan Campus or by telephone 979-209-7591 (Bryan).