| Where is WTS located? |
WTS is in BAL 6015 (sixth floor of Batten Arts and Letters) |
How do I make an appointment?
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You can either call us during normal operating hours at 757-683-4013 or come by BAL 6015 to schedule an appointment. |
| How often can I come in for help? |
Students are limited to a single one-hour appointment per week. |
Who are the writing tutors? |
The WTS tutors are Graduate Teaching Assistants in Old Dominion University's Masters programs. |
Will you correct grammar/proofread in my paper? |
No! WTS is not a correction service; you can't drop off a paper and pick it up corrected the next day. However, we can work WITH you, face-to-face, on your grammar. |
| How long do the tutorials last? |
Tutorial sessions generally last 45 minutes to an hour. If you need to leave your appointment early, you should let your tutor know at the beginning of your tutorial session. |
| How early should I schedule my appointment? |
We advise that you schedule your appointment 3-5 days before you plan to come in for the tutorial. As the semester progresses and more papers are due, it becomes harder to get appointment slots. |
If I walk-in, can I get help? |
During the first couple of weeks of the semester, we can generally accomodate walk-ins. However, once the semester gets going, due to the number of students who make use of WTS, it is a much better idea to schedule a guaranteed tutorial. We hate to turn students away - please call and make an appointment in advance. |
| What do I need to bring? |
Always bring your assignment sheet/description (if the professor provided one) and any notes, outlines or drafts that you have written.
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| Can I bring a disk and print out a copy of my paper in WTS? |
No; we are unable to print in our office.You should bring a hard copy of your paper to the tutorial session. |
| Can I bring my laptop and we look at my paper on the screen? |
No; besides hurting our eyes, it is much more difficult to work with an electronic document. Please bring a hard paper copy. |
I haven't written anything, but I have research. Can you help me with organization and getting started? |
Certainly! We are available to help you in any stage of the writing process. |
| I haven't written anything because I'm not sure what my professor wants for the assignment. Can you help me get started? |
We can try to help you interpret the assignment and get started. However, we also recommend asking your professor directly for clarification. Don't be afraid to see your professors during office hours or shoot them a quick email. |
Do you accept drop-off papers? |
No. Because WTS does not correct grammar and our tutorials are designed to promote individual proficiency/learning in writing, we do not accept drop-offs. |
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Can you tell me if this is a good paper or not? |
No. Evaluation is a pleasure reserved for professors; however, we are here to encourage you to become better critics of your own writing. |
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Can I make standing appointments with one tutor? |
Absolutely. Provided that your tutor is available during the hours that you request, he or she can see you on a regular basis. |
| Are we the Writing Center that runs the Exit Exam of Writing Proficiency and Writing Sample Placement Test? |
No. However, we provide tutorial support for both exams.If you are preparing to take either exam and feel that you need help with your writing, WTS can help you with your concerns.WTS can also answer general questions about the format of the tests and discuss strategies for test taking.If you would like to write a practice essay for the purposes of the tutorial, Old Dominion's Perry Library has a book of sample questions that is available at the reserve desk.If you have questions about scores, test dates, exam topic areas, or any specific concerns about the writing exams, please contact the Writing Center at 757-683-4112.
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Where do I have to go to sign up for an Exit Exam or Placement Test? |
The Writing Center administers and schedules the tests. They are located in a trailer out by the gym (behind Webb Center).
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I have taken the Exit Exam or Placement Test before and need help passing. Can you help me review my essay? |
Yes! Writing Tutorial Services is the only service on campus that can obtain a physical copy of your writing tests for tutorial purposes.In order to schedule an appointment to obtain tutorial help on your specific test results, you must have first scheduled your follow-up appointment with the Writing Center to discuss the test results.If you haven't already done so, you should call the Writing Center at 757-683-4112.After that appointment, you are free to schedule an appointment with WTS for tutorial help.It typically takes 2-3 days for WTS to obtain a copy of your test, so plan ahead!
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| I can't make it on time to my appointment! What should I do? |
Not a problem! If you are late or need to cancel your appointment, please call WTS at 757-683-4013.If you are running late, we can hold your appointment time (provided that you have sufficient time remaining). If you just don't show up, we can't reassign your appointment slot to another student - we'd much rather hear from you - please call! |
Can I schedule a group tutorial? |
Yes, we can provide assistance with collaborative papers. However, we tend to discourage group tutorials given the one-on-one nature of the tutorials. |
Do you offer writing assistance for graduate students? |
Graduate Students have a separate writing tutor who operates out of BAL 6015 . The Graduate Writing Assistance Program is available by appointment only! To schedule an appointment with the tutor, email amurphy@odu.edu |
I'm not in Freshman Composition or any English classes. Can I still get help with my writing? |
Absolutely! WTS is available to all undergraduate students in all courses. History, sociology, education, whatever! Bring 'em in! |
