Information for Graduate Students
Appointments
What kind of writing can the Writing Center help with?
The Loyola Writing Center is a great resource for advanced academic writing. We support the entire graduate student writing process, from brainstorming to formatting. This includes research papers, grant proposals, dissertations, theses, and more.
Who are the tutors?
Our tutors are experienced graduate and upper-level undergraduate students trained to provide constructive feedback and guide you through the writing process.
How long are appointments?
Graduate student appointments are typically one hour to allow for in-depth discussion and revision strategies.
Scheduling Appointments
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule appointments online through our WCOnline app (see the How-to) or email us (LWC@loyola.edu) if that is your preferred method, and we will make an appointment for you.
When you request an appointment, please tell us:
- Your name
- The times you are available
- The assignment/writing project you are working on
- The class and instructor it is for (if applicable)
- Any accommodations you may need.
- Note: If the appointment is for an assignment, a copy of the assignment attached to the email will be helpful.
The Writing Center will make an appointment for you through WCOnline, cc the Writing Center consultant, and send you the Zoom link for the meeting. Use only the link sent from the Writing Center and only access the Zoom link at the time of the appointment.
I have a long paper. How much can one appointment cover?
A one-hour appointment can cover only a certain amount of information in a paper, probably 5-7 pages, depending on the topic and style of writing. If you have a long paper, you may need to plan on more than one appointment over the course of the week. In order to ensure everyone has equal access to the center and to create productive working conditions for our tutors, we do not allow back-to-back appointments for the same paper or the same student. We also do not allow any student more than three hours' worth of appointments in a given week.
How far in advance should I schedule an appointment?
We recommend scheduling appointments at least 24 hours before, especially if you submit a draft for review. 3-5 days’ notice is ideal for complex projects.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring your assignment prompt, any drafts you'd like feedback on and a list of specific questions or areas you'd like to focus on.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Can I submit my paper electronically before my appointment?
Yes, submitting your paper at least 24 hours before your appointment is beneficial for in-depth feedback. This allows the tutor to review it beforehand and come prepared for a productive discussion.
What if I don't have a draft yet, or I'm unsure what I need help with?
That's perfectly fine! We can help you brainstorm ideas, develop a structure, or refine your research strategy.
Should I come up with a list of questions?
Having a list of questions allows you to get the most out of your session. However, it's not mandatory. Your tutor can also guide the conversation based on your needs.
During your appointment
What can I expect during a tutoring session?
Your tutor will start by getting to know your project and goals for the session. They will then work collaboratively with you to analyze your writing, identify improvement areas, and develop revision strategies.
Will the tutor edit my paper for me?
No, the Writing Center focuses on helping you develop your own editing skills. Tutors will provide guidance and suggestions but won't directly edit your work.
What if I have a disability?
We are committed to providing inclusive support for students with disabilities. Please let us know of your needs when scheduling your appointment, and we will work with you to ensure a successful session.
Beyond the appointment
We offer a variety of resources, including handouts on academic genres, sentence development, and style guides.
APA Style Guides
You say your prof is a stickler for APA style? No problem! We have a complete series of How-To YouTube videos that walk you step-by-step through all the formatting. They cover different kinds of papers (literature reviews!) and offer detailed guides for creating reference pages and citing particular kinds of sources. They even show you how to do the formatting in MS Word. Take me to the APA style videos! If you need more, see Dr. Micer's Writing Center Writing Citation Walk-in Clinic (not available in Summer).
Graduate Writing Groups
Research has shown that graduate student writing success increases as peer support increases. As one scholar put it, "graduate students tend to be their own best resource." With this in mind, the Writing Center helps graduate students organize and run informal peer groups, in which students support each other in their writing projects.
Graduate student writing groups consist of a cadre of grad students and one group leader, who is either a Loyola Writing Center faculty member or a Loyola graduate student serving as a tutor at the Writing Center.
Groups are free to set their own meeting schedule but need to consider the availability of faculty and Graduate Writing Center consultants. Groups usually meet online one hour per month at a mutually agreed upon time. The group meetings revolve around a relaxed (but focused) conversation about the writing concerns/experiences of its members. Such groups offer ways for grad students to pool knowledge and available resources, provide emotional and practical support to one another, share drafts, expand their thinking about their writing processes and products, and enhance their connections to the larger graduate community. If you are interested in learning more about how you can participate in a Writing Center sponsored writing group, please email us at lwc@loyola.edu.
To Make An Appointment
Online: Create an account in WCOnline and make an appointment.Email: LWC@loyola.edu and tell us: name, course, instructor & availability.