What to Expect

What should I bring/do beforehand?

To ensure you get the most out of your session, bring as much information for your tutor as possible. For instance,

bring your prompt or assignment so your tutor can understand the assignment.
consider what you want to cover with your tutor (organization, thesis statement, style, MLA format, punctuation, etc.). Try to think of common errors you tend to make.
bring a printed copy of your paper, if possible. An electronic copy works too, but your tutor may ask you to print it in our computer lab before starting your session.
bring another paper graded by your instructor so your tutor can get a sense of trends in your writing.
bring a completed practice GSP exam or grammar exercises if you’re studying for the GSP exam so that your tutor can help you with the grammar and punctuation issues that challenge you the most.

What can I ask the tutor to work on with me?

We can work on almost anything! You can come to us for help at any stage in the writing process from brainstorming to planning to final touches. In addition to traditional essays, we can also help with any writing project. If you have a power point presentation, cover letter, speech, poem, short story, thesis—you name it, we can probably help with it.

What do we typically do in a session?

We tailor each tutoring session to your goals. Tutors usually focus on more important issues such as organization and clarity before addressing style and grammar. Often tutors will read your paper out loud so you can “hear” what works and what doesn’t. The tutor may stop and discuss as s/he reads, but sometimes the tutor will read through the paper and wait until the end for commentary. Each session is unique because it is based on your writing project and needs.

Which tutor should I work with?

While all of the tutors are capable of helping you, some specialize in 1300/1310/1320 classes, MLA/APA, religious studies, brainstorming, GSP, and many more. To see the tutors and their specialties, view Our Staff Page.

Important Policies and Procedures

We are free for all Texas State Students!
We are not an editing service. While we can help with grammar and fine points of writing, we will not proofread your paper and fix every error we find. Instead, we work with you to improve your writing skills and help you become a better editor of your own papers. Nevertheless, you will leave with an improved paper.
Late appointments will be canceled. All appointments that are 5 minutes late will be removed from the schedule and marked as missed.
Accounts are blocked after three missed appointments. After three missed appointments, you will no longer be allowed to schedule appointments at the Writing Center. Be sure to cancel an appointment if you won’t be able to make it!
All writers must be present for group projects. If you’re collaborating with another writer or writers, they must all come to the tutoring session, or we will not be able to help you. Because we are tutors and not editors, we cannot provide assistance to students who do not attend the tutoring session.
You can be seen a maximum of one hour per day. We have this policy to provide you time to implement the discussions with your tutor.
You will improve as a writer and your paper will be better when you leave the center, but we cannot predict your grade or tell you if your paper is “good enough.” Every instructor has different standards, and we do not evaluate work in this manner.

Confidentiality

All of your sessions remain confidential. Unless you give us permission, we won’t tell your professors, friends, or family that you have been here or what we talked about with you.

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What to Expect