Writing Center Lab Instructors are trained to read academic writing critically and provide feedback that helps students strengthen their ideas and written communication. Students can receive guidance on organization, development of ideas, clarity, and overall effectiveness. Consultations provide an opportunity to discuss writing, explore revision strategies, and build confidence throughout the writing process.
University Writing Center
the writing center
Alabama State University Writing Center
Our Mission
The University Writing Center is dedicated to helping students develop as effective writers by providing guidance and support throughout the writing process. The Center promotes the clear expression of ideas while strengthening students’ proficiency in sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, and style. Its central goal is to empower students to become self-directed, independent, and confident writers who can communicate effectively in standard American English.
Writing Center Services
Writing Center Lab Instructors accomplish the Center’s mission by actively engaging students in the writing process through skills review, guided practice, independent practice, and essay-writing assignments.
The University Writing Center provides:
- Support from prewriting through the final draft
- Skills Review
- Guided Practice
- One-on-One Consultations
- Group Sessions
- Online Consultations
- Workshops Offered at the Request of Faculty
Students Served
The Writing Center supports all ASU students at every stage of the writing process, from prewriting and drafting to revision and final editing. Students from all academic disciplines and at all academic levels, including undergraduate and graduate students, are welcome to use the Center’s services.
Student Resources and Consultation Information
Benefits of Meeting with a Writing Center Lab Instructor
Online Writing Assistance
The University Writing Center offers online and virtual consultation options to provide
flexible support for students. Students may email their papers to the ASU email addresses
of the Lab Instructors and arrange virtual consultations based on their individual
needs and schedules. Because Lab Instructors provide support during regular business
hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., responses to emails and
requests for virtual consultations will be addressed during those hours. Through these
consultations, Lab Instructors provide guidance, feedback, and instructional support
that help students improve organization, clarity, grammar, and overall writing effectiveness
while developing the skills necessary for independent revision and editing.
Scheduling a Writing Consultation
Scheduling a Writing Center consultation is easy. Students may use the appointment
link included in Writing Center appointment campaign emails, contact a Lab Instructor
by email, or stop by the Writing Center to schedule an appointment. Students are also
welcome to visit the Center without an appointment, and walk-in consultations will
be provided as availability allows.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Paterson Hall, Room 143
Phone: 334-601-9114
Confidentiality of Writing Consultations
Writing Center consultations are confidential. Information discussed during a consultation
is not routinely shared with course instructors. However, some course instructors
may require students to utilize Writing Center services as part of a course assignment
and may request verification of attendance. In such cases, Writing Center personnel
may provide documentation of student visits, appointment attendance, or participation
as required by the course. Students will be informed when consultation records or
attendance verification are requested as part of a course requirement.
Feedback and Evaluation of Student Writing
Writing Center consultations focus on strengthening writing skills and improving written
communication. Lab Instructors provide feedback on organization, clarity, development
of ideas, and writing conventions; however, evaluation and grading remain the responsibility
of the course instructor. The Center's role is to support student learning and growth
as writers. Because course professors establish assignment requirements and grading
criteria, students should follow their professor's directions and preferences. Writing
Center feedback is intended to complement, not replace, course requirements or instructor
expectations.
Why is the Writing Center important to students?
The central mission of the Writing Center is to encourage, guide, and assist student writers as they work through the writing
process to better express or promote individual ideas and thoughts in written form
while demonstrating sentence skills, grammatical and mechanical proficiency, and style.
One primary goal of the Center is to help students become self-directed, independent, confident writers who are
able to understand and use standard American English effectively.
What methods do Writing Center instructors and tutors use to help students?
Writing Center instructors and tutors accomplish the Center’s mission by actively engaging students
in the writing process through a series of measures including skills review, guided
practice, online interactive computer quizzes, computer assisted tutorial packages,
and independent practice with essay writing assignments.
Who receives help from the Writing Center?
The Writing Center provides all ASU students help from the prewriting stage to the final draft stage. Students in all academic areas (e.g., English, math, criminal justice, etc.) and students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, graduate school) receive help in the Center.
Do students have to be referred to the Writing Center by a professor?
The Writing Center provides assistance to students who seek help on their own and to students whose
professors refer them to the Writing Center. The WC staff offers one-on-one tutoring, group tutoring, and workshops requested
by the professors. Also, the staff provides professors (upon their request) strategies
to improve students’ writing.
Student Resources and Consultation Information
Benefits of Meeting with a Writing Center Lab Instructor
Online Writing Assistance
The University Writing Center offers online and virtual consultation options to provide flexible support for students. Students may email their papers to the ASU email addresses of the Lab Instructors and arrange virtual consultations based on their individual needs and schedules. Because Lab Instructors provide support during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., responses to emails and requests for virtual consultations will be addressed during those hours. Through these consultations, Lab Instructors provide guidance, feedback, and instructional support that help students improve organization, clarity, grammar, and overall writing effectiveness while developing the skills necessary for independent revision and editing.
Scheduling a Writing Consultation
Scheduling a Writing Center consultation is easy. Students may use the appointment
link included in Writing Center appointment campaign emails, contact a Lab Instructor
by email, or stop by the Writing Center to schedule an appointment. Students are also
welcome to visit the Center without an appointment, and walk-in consultations will
be provided as availability allows.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Paterson Hall, Room 143
Phone: 334-601-9114
Confidentiality of Writing Consultations
Writing Center consultations are confidential. Information discussed during a consultation is not routinely shared with course instructors. However, some course instructors may require students to utilize Writing Center services as part of a course assignment and may request verification of attendance. In such cases, Writing Center personnel may provide documentation of student visits, appointment attendance, or participation as required by the course. Students will be informed when consultation records or attendance verification are requested as part of a course requirement.
Feedback and Evaluation of Student Writing
Writing Center consultations focus on strengthening writing skills and improving written communication. Lab Instructors provide feedback on organization, clarity, development of ideas, and writing conventions; however, evaluation and grading remain the responsibility of the course instructor. The Center's role is to support student learning and growth as writers. Because course professors establish assignment requirements and grading criteria, students should follow their professor's directions and preferences. Writing Center feedback is intended to complement, not replace, course requirements or instructor expectations.
Why is the Writing Center important to students?
The central mission of the Writing Center is to encourage, guide, and assist student writers as they work through the writing
process to better express or promote individual ideas and thoughts in written form
while demonstrating sentence skills, grammatical and mechanical proficiency, and style.
One primary goal of the Center is to help students become self-directed, independent, confident writers who are
able to understand and use standard American English effectively.
What methods do Writing Center instructors and tutors use to help students?
Writing Center instructors and tutors accomplish the Center’s mission by actively engaging students
in the writing process through a series of measures including skills review, guided
practice, online interactive computer quizzes, computer assisted tutorial packages,
and independent practice with essay writing assignments.
Who receives help from the Writing Center?
The Writing Center provides all ASU students help from the prewriting stage to the final draft stage. Students in all academic areas (e.g., English, math, criminal justice, etc.) and students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, graduate school) receive help in the Center.
Do students have to be referred to the Writing Center by a professor?
The Writing Center provides assistance to students who seek help on their own and to students whose
professors refer them to the Writing Center. The WC staff offers one-on-one tutoring, group tutoring, and workshops requested
by the professors. Also, the staff provides professors (upon their request) strategies
to improve students’ writing.
Writing Center Guidelines
Learning-Focused Writing Support
The Writing Center is committed to helping students become stronger, more independent writers. During a consultation, Lab Instructors review selected portions of a student’s work to identify patterns in writing and provide targeted guidance. Assistance may include reviewing thesis statements, organization, paragraph development, and overall clarity. Lab Instructors help students develop revision and proofreading strategies while encouraging them to maintain ownership of their work.
Planning Ahead for Success
Students are encouraged to seek assistance early in the writing process. Scheduling a consultation several days before an assignment is due allows time to reflect on feedback and make meaningful revisions. To provide effective support to all students, appointments are recommended at least three days before a paper’s due date. Assignment guidelines and instructions are helpful when available.
Collaboration Throughout the Writing Process
The Writing Center supports students during all stages of writing, including prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. Students are encouraged to bring notes, outlines, drafts, or other materials related to their assignment. Lab Instructors help students understand assignment expectations, organize ideas, and strengthen writing skills while ensuring that the work remains the student’s own.
Promoting Academic Growth
Writing Center consultations are designed to support learning and skill development. While Lab Instructors provide guidance and feedback, the final paper reflects the student’s effort, understanding, and writing ability. Course instructors retain responsibility for evaluating and grading student work.
Individualized Skill Development
Consultations focus on specific writing skills and areas for improvement. Lab Instructors work with students to identify writing concerns, explain relevant writing principles, and provide opportunities for guided and independent practice. The goal is to help students build confidence and apply these skills in future writing tasks.
Writing Center Behavior Expectations
To help create a welcoming, productive, and respectful learning environment, all students are encouraged to follow the expectations below while using the University Writing Center.
Respect Everyone
- Be kind and courteous to fellow students and Writing Center staff.
- Keep voices low to help maintain a calm and focused learning environment.
- Respect the rights, opinions, and learning needs of others.
Positive and Professional Communication
- Use respectful and appropriate language at all times.
- Avoid profanity, offensive language, or disruptive behavior.
- Help create a welcoming environment that supports learning and collaboration.
Food and Beverage Guidelines
- To maintain a clean and distraction-free environment, food should be consumed outside the Writing Center.
- Beverages with secure lids are permitted; however, students should keep drinks away from computers and other equipment.
- Please dispose of trash properly and help keep the facility clean.
Technology and Equipment Use
- Computers and other resources should be used for academic and educational purposes.
- Respect shared equipment and report any technical concerns to Writing Center personnel.
- Protect personal information and log out of all accounts before leaving a workstation.
Maintaining a Welcoming Environment
- Clean your workspace before leaving.
- Return materials and supplies to their proper locations.
- Help ensure that the Writing Center remains an organized, comfortable, and productive space for all users.
Connect with ASU
Alabama State University Writing Center
The University Writing Center is located in Paterson Hall, Room 143. Students are encouraged to contact the Center for information about services, scheduling, consultations, workshops, and other academic writing support.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Paterson Hall, Room 143
Phone: 334-601-9114
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