One to One Tutoring

In a 50-minute writing tutorial you sit down with a writing instructor, review the assignment guidelines and whatever you have written so far, whether it is a full draft or a few rough notes.

The aim of a 50-minute writing centre tutorial is to help you with whatever aspects of your academic writing need work: planning and outlining, structuring (an entire paper or any of its elements), grammar and sentence structure, argumentation, referencing, and so on. In a tutorial, we give you feedback on the assignment you bring in, and we teach you writing and editing techniques that you can apply in your future writing. 

If you don't think you need a full 50 minutes, or if you are looking for help with non-academic work such as a personal statement, come to a drop-in session or sign up for Writers Space. 

ONLINE Writing Tutorials

Online writing tutorials are very similar to regular 50-minute writing tutorials except that instead of meeting face-to-face in an office, student and instructor meet online through the WCOnline interface. There is a video link where student and instructor can see one another's faces and interact, a central whiteboard to share assignment instructions and your draft, and a text chat function. 

Sign-up

To sign up for an ONLINE tutorial, just check the intranet schedule for any tutorial marked "ONLINE." and sign up as you would for a regular in-person writing tutorial. If this is your first online tutorial, you will soon get an email confirming the tutorial, with a link to WCOnline and instructions on how to log in and find your tutorial. If this is your first ONLINE tutorial, you will also get an email telling you an account has been created and giving you a password that you can use to log in. It's a good idea to change the password when you first log in.

A few minutes before your tutorial is due to start, simply follow the link and the instructions in the email.

Technology

WC Online is a web-based interface so you don't have to download anything on your computer. What you do need to do, however, is make sure you have high-speed wireless access and are in a quiet space where you can concentrate.

PDF icon Literature Review of Online Writing Instruction
PDF icon UTSC Writing Centre Online Writing Support Research Report_V2.pdf

How to Book a Writing Centre Appointment

FAQ

There are no Writing Centre Tutorials available. What can I do?

Don't panic! Here are some options:  Check the intranet booking page regularly, especially the day before you want a tutorial. Many students book early and then have to cancel Come to drop-in hours Come to Writers' Space If you're hoping for an appointment today, check that we have appointments, and if we do, put your name on our same-day wait list. If we have a cancellation, we go to this list Use the handouts and seminars available on the website under Online Resources  

What if I need to cancel a writing centre tutorial?

You can cancel an appointment online up to 1 hour before the appointment. If you need to cancel within 1 hour of your scheduled appointment, please call 416-287-7032 or send an email.

What if I had to cancel a tutorial but I still need some feedback on my work?

If you had to cancel a writing centre tutorial, please check the intranet to book a new tutorial, come to our drop-in hours, or come to writers' space.

What happens if I miss a writing tutorial?

Because we have limited resources, we are strict about no-shows. The first time you miss a tutorial we send you an e-mail reminder to please let us know. After two no-shows, you will be blocked from booking a writing tutorial for the next four months. If you know you are not going to be able to make your tutorial, please let us know so we can open the tutorial to another student. We often have many students hoping for tutorials so if you let us know, there's a better chance someone else can use your time.

What happens in a writing centre tutorial?

You bring in a course assignment at any stage in the process and sit down one-on-one with a writing instructor. He or she will ask you questions about the assignment, may read all or part of your draft and will offer feedback and writing instruction tailored to your assignment, your discipline, and your strengths and weaknesses as a writer.   

What should I bring to my writing centre tutorial?

Come to your appointment prepared to talk, think, and yes, write. Bring a printed copy of whatever you have written so far, the instructions for the assignment, any research materials, a pen or pencil to write with, and your brain.