By Tracy Hudson
All good writers struggle with some aspect of the writing process. The Tri-C Writing Center is one way to alleviate this burden by providing one-on-one free writing consultation for students, faculty, staff and the community at large. Assistance is available for all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming an idea to a final copy and anywhere in between. Writing Center consultants assist students in detail to ensure they understand assignments, brainstorming ideas, organizing information, developing clear arguments and ideas, thesis statements, finding and using sources (research, quotation and paraphrasing), citing sources, writing strong introductions and conclusions, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and discussing presentations.
“All you have to do is come to the Writing Center with writing utensils, your assignment and questions,” says Thomas Miller, who has been a Writing Consultant with Tri-C for more than six years. “Almost every consultant at the Writing Center knows the classes, teaches the classes and they are thrilled to help.”
To write well, you are required to focus your thinking and organize your thoughts in a clear and convincing way. Together with a Writing Consultant, you will develop better academic reading, writing, critical thinking and research skills.
One of the main reasons why students often refuse to get help for a homework assignment is that they are embarrassed about needing help or perhaps even a little scared of what they don’t know.
“From my experience, before I began utilizing the Writing Center, I viewed it in a negative way,” said student Kia Young. “I thought a consultant was not there to help, they were only there to edit papers. I thought I would receive my paper back with a bundle of notes including negative comments in red ink, yet my experience turned out to be the exact opposite.”
After the first time you visit the Writing Center, you will see how friendly and knowledgeable the staff is and see how eager they are to help. The Writing Center instills the habits, skills and commitment conducive to effective writing, helping you meet the highest possible standards of excellence.
Anne Siebert, a Writing Consultant at the Eastern Campus located at ESS-1115A, explained how easy it was to get help.
“I’m not going to tell you how long I’ve been with Tri-C, let’s just say forever. You can walk-in anytime during office hours or you can call in to make an appointment for any writing assignment questions at 216-987-2041. If you have grammar questions, you can also walk-in or you can call the grammar hot-line at 216-987-2050. I’m looking forward to meeting you.”