Writers are in charge of their 30- or 60-minute appointments, so tutors usually start by asking what they would like to do. There is no one right answer to that question. Writers come to the Ott to brainstorm, outline, organize, analyze, or revise their work. They come to get started, and they come to get unstuck. Some writers come to the Ott for a final read-through, while others come for “write togethers” or appointments where tutors and writers sit together and work independently on their own writing.
If you have a draft, plan to read it aloud or listen to your tutor read it. We find that reading the draft aloud (or hearing a tutor read it aloud) often helps writers get some critical distance. If you don't have a draft, no worries. Your tutor will help you brainstorm.
Taking notes during an appointment can be helpful. Feel welcome to type or write notes throughout or at the end of your appointment. You can also ask your tutor to take notes, if you would find that helpful, especially if you are brainstorming or thinking aloud.
Ott tutors are trained to help all writers, which means they can help even when they are unfamiliar with the subjects their writers are studying and writing about. We draw on our familiarity with common genres of writing and look carefully at your assignment for cues on what your instructor values. In fact, our relative lack of content knowledge can often be helpful: you're the expert and often explaining your fuzzy ideas can make them clearer to both writer and tutor.
At the Ott, we do not correct or copyedit papers, but we do help writers with grammar, usage, and citations. Specifically, we talk with writers about those aspects of a specific piece of their own writing in order to help them grow what they know and apply that knowledge to their own work.
When writers arrive for an onsite appointment at Raynor 240, they may be greeted by a tutor at our reception desk, or there may be tutors in our common room ready to say welcome. Sometimes, however, tutors will be busy tutoring, and our common room will be empty. When that happens, writers should come on in, have a seat, and know that someone will be right with them!
On site, appointments take place in our quiet conference rooms. Each one has a table and 2-3 chairs plus at least one electrical outlet in case writers need to plug anything in. Rooms are stocked with paper, pencils, and pens, and the Ott has additional equipment that writers can borrow, including laptops, a sunlight lamp, weighted blankets, and fidget spinners. Writers can request these items when they make their appointments, or they can ask tutors at the start or at any point during a session.
Online appointments are organized through the writing center’s online platform, WCOnline. Click here for detailed instructions on how to create an account, schedule appointments, and participate in remote tutorials.
Tutors sometimes ask to record an appointment. We ask because it's part of our ongoing professional development. We'd be grateful if you said yes, but we'll completely understand if you say no. Our priority is that you feel at ease during our time talking together.
