Online Writing Lab

The Academic Support Writing Lab offers free consultations on any writing project for any discipline. All writers are welcome!
Be courteous! Schedule a consultation on your writing project by appointment two days in advance – spring/ summer semester (four-five day in advance during the fall); Drop-in visits are available on a first come, first serve basis.

*Note: Due to the high volume of writers and in-class students who seek our services, we recommend scheduling an appointment ahead of time.

Call a Writing Specialist to make your appointment.

Tarsha Rogers (252) 335-3327
Nikki Bond (252) 335-3527
Note: The lab is closed during the first week of the fall and spring semesters and finals week.

Instruction Offered

• Generating and organizing your ideas
  
• Focusing your thoughts
  
• Identifying your thesis
  
• Developing your topics
  
• Writing Lab Reports and Research Papers
  
• Writing about literature
  
• Fulfilling the Writing portion of the PRAXIS Exam
  
• Reviewing grammar and punctuation

Note: We do not write or conduct research for students.

How to Get the Most from a Writing Lab Visit

• If possible, bring in your paper typed and double spaced.
  
• Ahead of time, identify two problem areas.
  
• Underline the point you are trying to prove (thesis).
  
• Underline your topic sentences (the point of each body paragraph).
  
• Plan to spend 10-15 minutes per tutoring session.
  
• The Lab Staff will line edit (proofread) only; we do not write papers

If you have problems with punctuation or grammar, we'll help you learn the rules. If you need help with sentences, we'll help you learn to rewrite.

Online Writing Resources

Purdue On-Line Writing Lab: an expansive website with detailed information on punctuation, sentence structure, tips for multi-lingual writers, business writing, online tutorials, just to name a few. Includes online APA and MLA style guides. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/)
Guide to Grammar and Writing: Interactive quizzes, linked information, PowerPoint presentations. (http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/)
Online Technical Writing—Power Revision Techniques: More about style than grammar. Stays at sentence level for clarity. (http://www.io.com/~hcexres/textbook/)

Referred Students ('I' grade removal)

• Must sign-up in the notebook in the Academic Support Center (Room 114)
  
• Must be prepared to take the Writing Diagnostic Test and/ or complete a full 4-6 weeks of lab sessions.
  
• Lab schedule/ visits must be approved by attending specialist
  
• Must sign in to receive lab instructions with each visit; must sign-out for each session in order to receive credit for the visit.
  
• Certificate given to the student and to Academic Support Center upon satisfactory completion of the Writing Lab.
  

Note: You must first set up an appointment time with either Writing Specialist. Also, you must sign in and out (specialist) in order to receive credit for participating in a Writing Lab session.