How We Can Help

online tutoring

How should I prepare for my face-to-face or online realtime appointment?

Peer writing tutors will work with you at any stage of your writing process, even when you’re just getting started, so you don’t need to have a draft or even an outline.

Each appointment focuses on one writing project, and tutors can respond to up to 4 double-spaced pages per half hour, 8 double-spaced pages per hour, 12 double-spaced pages per 1.5 hours, and 16 double-spaced pages per 2 hours.

Be prepared to explain to your tutor what you’re working on. This could be anything from an assignment for class, to a poetry chapbook, to a website or slides for a presentation. You can come with a full draft, just your ideas and questions, or anything in between.

Upload materials related to your writing project or share them with your tutor in the online realtime appointment. If you’re writing something for class, please bring or upload the assignment, your notes, relevant course texts, and/or anything else that could help your tutor understand what you’re working on and better support your writing process.

Think about any questions and goals you have. What do you want your tutor to help you with? What are you trying to get out of your appointment? Even if you’re not exactly sure, try to give these questions some thought ahead of time.

Approach the appointment with energy, openness, and willingness to work hard, focus on your writing, collaborate generously with your tutor, try new things, and grow as a writer!

How should I prepare for my written feedback appointment?

Upload your full or partial draft to your appointment before the start time of your appointment. Each appointment focuses on one writing project, and tutors can respond to up to 8 double-spaced pages per hour, up to 12 double-spaced pages per 1.5 hours, and up to 16 double-spaced pages per 2 hours.

Upload materials related to your writing project. If you’re writing something for class, please upload the assignment, your notes, relevant course texts, and/or anything else that could help your tutor understand what you’re working on and better support your writing process.

Explain to your tutor what you’re working on in your appointment form. Your detailed explanation enables your tutor to understand the context and expectations for your writing so that they can provide the most specific and helpful feedback as possible.

Explain to your tutor what kind(s) of feedback you are seeking on your appointment form. Let your tutor know what you want them to help you with and what you are hoping to get out of the appointment. Consider any questions and goals you have.

Writing Center Expectations

Tutors, writers, and all other students, faculty, and staff who use the Writing Center are expected to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy, the University Code of Conduct and/or the Code of Student Responsibility. In addition to adhering to these codes, we also expect writers and staff to treat each other with respect.

Respect each other’s time and space

During an online realtime appointment, your attention and the tutor’s should be on the appointment. Please put away anything that might distract you. We understand of course that interruptions may happen during an appointment, particularly for those of us sharing our spaces with others.

Please do not make frequent or repeated appointments without taking previous feedback into account.

Respect the Writing Center as a workplace

In addition to adhering to DePaul’s Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy (DePaul Login Required) as well as its Sexual & Relationship Violence Prevention & Response Policy (DePaul Login Required), any harassment or unwelcome conduct is prohibited in any interaction with the Writing Center and any member of our staff. Unwelcome conduct includes but is not limited to the use of offensive or demeaning language, expressing romantic or sexual interest when tutors are working, and violating any of the policies listed above.

If you have questions about what constitutes harassment or unwelcome conduct, ask your tutor or reach out to one of the UCWbL’s administrators.

Inappropriate or threatening behavior will be reported to the Dean of Students.

How will the Writing Center meet my access needs?

The UCWbL supports all writers, including those with disabilities. Let us know how we can help facilitate your learning in an appointment or improve your experience with the Writing Center when you register your account or by updating your profile.