NDSU Center for Writers

1
NDSU Center for Writers

• Find your way with words.
• Let us be your guides!

2
What We Do

• The Center for Writers serves the North Dakota
  State University community by providing free
  writing assistance to students, faculty, and
  staff in all departments at all levels
• by providing a supportive environment where
  writers and readers work one-on-one or in small
  groups
• by respecting students content knowledge and
  ownership of their documents as we offer advice

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
3
Administrators

• Director
• Mary Pull
• Assistant Director
• Enrico Sassi

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
4
3 Graduate Consultants
Katie Gunter
Meghan Perry
Abi Gaugert
Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
5
13 Undergraduate Consultants
Adam Brianna Caitlin Dominic Erica Jade Josh
Justin Kelsey Matt Michael
Schaan Tierney
Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
6
Services

• We can help writers
• brainstorm ideas
• focus, organize, and develop papers
• determine the needs of a specific audience
• develop an appropriate voice
• document sources
• apply grammar and punctuation guidelines

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
7
Services (cont.)

• We can offer feedback on many
• types of writing tasks
• course papers, projects, proposals
• articles for publication
• disquisitions (graduate projects)
• speeches and presentations
• grad school application essays
• resumés cover letters
• . and more

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
8
We do not

• allow students to drop off papers for
  proofreading and editing
• write or rewrite papers for students
• guarantee that a paper will (or should) receive a
  specific grade
• criticize the assignment a student has been given

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
9
Location

• The CFW is located on the lower level of the NDSU
  library
• enter the main doors,
• turn left,
• descend the stairs,
• turn left again.

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
10
Hours of Service

• Monday 900 a.m.500 p.m.
• Tuesday 900 a.m.700 p.m.
• Wednesday 900 a.m.500 p.m.
• Thursday 900 a.m.500 p.m.
• Friday 900 a.m.200 p.m.

11
Scheduling Appointments

• Three options
• telephone [phone]
• stop in the CFW
• send an e-mail to ndsu.cfw_at_ndsu.edu
  (www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters/)
• Walk-in appointments might be available if the
  tutors are not busy, but advance appointments are
  recommended.

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
12
FAQ

• Q Will consultants correct my spelling
• and grammar?
• We are a consulting/teaching service, so our goal
  is to help you become your own best editor, not
  edit papers for you.
• Our consultants will help you to recognize and
  eliminate the spelling and grammatical errors
  that you make consistently.

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
13
FAQ

• Q What should I bring to a
• consultation?
• writing guidelines (for assignments, grants,
  articles, etc.)
• notes, drafts, and outlines
• research materials, textbook, etc.
• specific questions

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
14
FAQ

• Q Can the CFW help with my dissertation/thesis/m
  asters paper?
• Yes however, longer papers require multiple
  sessions over an extended time period.
• We will help you to develop a disquisition-writing
  plan that includes working with our graduate
  consultants.
• Go to the Disquisitions page on our web site
  for information and instructions.

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
15
FAQ

• Q Can I get help if English is not my
• first language?
• Yes--you may visit the CFW to practice writing
  and/or speaking.
• You may make regular appointments for repeated
  practice.
• We can work with instructors in the modern
  language department to find the best ways to help
  you.

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
16
FAQ

• Q Can the CFW help writers with
• learning disabilities?
• Yes--individuals with learning disabilities can
  benefit from individualized assistance.
• We can work with Student Disabilities Services to
  help you develop effective strategies for
  completing your writing tasks. 

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
17
FAQ

• Q What if I only have a quick writing
• question?
• For a quick response, call us at 231-7927 or
  email us at ndsu.cfw_at_ndsu.nodak.edu
• Check our website for Student Resources

18
FAQ

• Q Can the CFW help instructors?
• Yes--the director and assistant director can
  help instructors to
• develop assignments, peer editing sessions, and
  grading rubrics
• review manuscripts to ensure they are ready for
  journal submission
• complete other academic writing tasks (e.g.
  grants)
• (See the Faculty Resources page on the CFW
  website)

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
19
FAQ

• Q How can instructors enable the Center
• for Writers to help their students?
• Create clear, detailed assignment sheets.
• Provide models/samples of genres.
• Post materials on BlackBoard or submit them to us
  for our files.
• Give our brochures to your students.

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
20
FAQ cont.

• Show our website to students at
• http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters/
• Remind students to
• schedule appointments in advance
• bring guidelines to appointments.
• Invite us into your classrooms to introduce the
  Center to your students.
• Hang a poster in your building.

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
21
FAQ cont.

• Encourage students to visit us for their benefit.
  
• Think carefully before requiring students to
  visit us because students who feel punished may
  have resistant or belligerent attitudes.

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
22
Resources

• CFW Website
• http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters/
• Faculty Page
• http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters/fac_resources.shtml

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
23

• Together, we can reach our goal
• to make better writers,
• not just better papers.

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters
24

• ????????
• QUESTIONS
• ???????

Center for Writers - http//www.ndsu.edu/cfwriters