HISTORY: In February of 1998, two PC students – Maureen Fitzgerald (class of ’99) and Katie Burke (class of ’99) – approached the Tutorial Center Coordinator with their ideas to implement a writing center. They drafted a proposal, which included plans for a month-long pilot program to run from March 30 until April 30, 1998. Twelve peer writing tutors volunteered their time to the program, Monday through Thursday evenings (7:00-9:00 p.m.). By the end of the month-long trial, the tutors had provided seventy (70) individual tutorial sessions. Since these rather humble beginnings, the Writing Center has enjoyed continual growth and greater faculty involvement during each successive year of operation.
MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY: The Writing Center is available to assist students at any stage of the writing process – from brainstorming a topic to polishing a final draft. Through an approach to writing instruction that is student-centered, peer tutors work collaboratively with their tutees to identify and rectify chronic structural or mechanical problems, empowering students to avoid similar difficulties in future writing tasks. In short, the Writing Center's purpose is to make better writers, not just better papers. Moreover, the Center operates under the assumption that all writers, regardless of their respective ability, can benefit from the feedback of interested, experienced readers.
LOCATION AND OPERATING HOURS: The Writing Center is part of the Office of Academic Services, which is located on the lower level of the Phillips Memorial Library (Phone: 865.1286). The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m by appointment only .
ONLINE TUTORING: In addition to our in-person tutoring services, the Writing Center also sponsors "The Write Site." Through this service Providence College students may submit essays up to seven double-spaced pages in length and receive written feedback from a tutor within 48 hours.
Like the Writing Center's drop-in service, The Write Site is built around the concept of writi ng as a process. Students are asked to identify their own concerns about their writing before submitting their work; and tutors respond to those concerns so that the online exchange is collaborative rather than prescriptive.The Write Site also offers an array of resources for writers and writing teachers; these include links to research style guides (e.g., MLA, APA, etc.) and grammar tips, as well as information regarding plagiarism, writer's block, the writing process, and responding to student writing.
To access and join the Write Site, simply log on to Angel, click on "Find a Group" under the "Community Groups" heading, and type "The Write Site" in the "Keyword Search" field.