The Writing Center

The staff of the Writing Center is trained to assist undergraduate and graduate student writers at Wilkes. During the Fall and Spring semesters we welcome drop in visits as well as scheduled appointments. You can also submit your paper online for assistance anytime. We hope to see you soon!

Fall 2024 Schedule (.pdf)

About the Writing Center

The Writing Center is located in the Alden Learning Commons in the Eugene S. Farley Library. As a peer mentoring-based academic support resource, the Wilkes Writing Center is staffed by undergraduate peer consultants and a graduate assistant. Writing Center consultants meet with students of all disciplines to assist in every stage of the writing process, including the planning, drafting, and revision of essays.

Center Services

• Prewriting

  Writing Center consultants will discuss assignments with students, assisting them as they develop their ideas and begin organizing their essays. Consultants may also advise students in effective reading and studying techniques, such as marking a text, taking notes, and using reference resources.

• Writing

  Writing Center consultants will offer guidance on essay drafts as they are being written, including offering feedback on thesis statements, paragraph development, organization, citation, and mechanics.

• Revision

  Writing Center consultants will assist students as they respond to instructors’ comments and help them develop a solid revision strategy. Revision is different from copy editing, which involves another person editing and changing your work. We are not able to copy edit your original writing, only offer suggestions and interpretations about what can be improved. Your words are ultimately, yours.

  While the Writing Center does not offer a copy-editing or singular proofreading service, consultants are happy to offer guidance on specific questions related to grammar, mechanics, and citation.

  For nursing students, the Farley Library maintains a list of fee-based proofreading and editing services external websites approved by the Passan School of Nursing.

• Research

  Writing Center consultants will advise students on effective research techniques, including the use of the library databases and catalog.

Mission

The Wilkes University Writing Center exists to provide students with free academic support services that complement writing across the disciplines, helping students leverage their writing skills to communicate and express themselves effectively. This results in greater successes in and out of the classroom.

The Writing Center is principally dedicated to supporting student writers as they navigate the various stages of the writing process. Through collaborative peer learning, the Writing Center:

• Facilitates students’ growth as writers and critical thinkers
• Prepares them for lifelong learning, graduate studies, and a variety of professional careers

The Writing Center staff benefit as well from educational and co-curricular experiences that foster...

• Written and oral communication
• Critical thinking
• Research and professional skills

Values

• Supporting the development of written communication, oral communication, and research skills that enable innovative academic inquiry, scholarship, and lifelong learning.
• Supporting the development of critical thinking skills relevant to the various programs of study offered by the university.
• Providing academic, personal, and professional mentoring experiences that prepare students for lifelong learning, rewarding careers and creative and meaningful lives.