Overview

Welcome to the Writing Center at University of Northwestern. The Writing Center supports the University of Northwestern community through a variety of student services including, but not limited to, the following:

• Writing Tutoring

• Editing Competency Exam (ECE)

• Test facilitation for make-up examinations

• Academic accommodations referred by Disability Services

Writing Tutoring

Writing tutoring is available by appointment. In-person walk-ins may be accommodated depending on tutor availability. Sessions will be conducted either in person or via Zoom for paper feedback and ECE remediation. Use our Appointment Scheduler to register for an appointment and indicate whether you will will attend in person or online.

UNW Online Writing Lab (OWL)

All students are eligible to have papers reviewed through the Moodle UNW Online Writing Lab. Here is how to enroll:

Enrolling in the UNW OWL:

1. In Moodle, find “Search Courses.”
2. Type in “UNW OWL”
3. Click on “UNW Online Writing Lab”
4. Click on "Enroll me"

There are instructions on the OWL course site for how to submit a paper. Papers may be submitted twice: once for a review of content (organization, structure, flow) and once for editing (grammar, punctuation, usage). If you submit your paper twice, we recommend submitting it for content first since you may create errors when you revise it.

We love to help students with their papers! But there are a few things to note.

1) The editing review is not a proofreading service. The tutors will carefully edit the first page of your paper to show you the types of errors that you made. It is up to you to identify repeated errors and correct them.

2) Regarding citations, writing tutors do not proofread your citations to be sure they are in correct APA/MLA/Chicago format. You have enough information available to you online through many sources to check your citations. The Purdue OWL site is an excellent resource for how to correctly cite sources. We are happy to get you started with a few pointers. Then, if you have additional questions about citations, schedule a Research Appointment with the reference librarians–they are your go-to people. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will you proofread my paper? 

The Writing Center does not proofread papers, nor can papers be dropped off to be picked up at a later time. A student who makes an appointment with a writing tutor can expect to be actively involved in the revising process. The Writing Center's goal is not to make better papers but rather to assist students in becoming better writers. While tutors can help students correct their editing errors, they do so in a way conducive to learning and not just fixing.

Do I need to make an appointment? 

An appointment is not required but is highly recommended as students with appointments take priority over those without them; making an appointment online is the only way to ensure a Writing Tutoring session.

What should I bring with me? 

If you are coming for help with a paper, bring the paper in whatever stage it exists, from mere ideas in your head to a final draft needing the finishing touches. It is also a good idea to bring any guidelines your professor has established for the paper so the tutor will be better equipped to answer your questions. Also, if you are coming for testing, please bring your student ID card. No electronics are allowed in the testing rooms.

What happens when I arrive? 

The tutor or coach will verify that you have an appointment or that there are no other appointments to conflict with your session. He or she will then begin by asking you about your goals for the session and suggesting a method for reaching those goals.

How long can my appointment be? 

Appointments are made in 15-minute increments for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of two hours. However, if there is no appointment scheduled after your time is up, you may continue your session.

What can I get Writing Tutoring for? 

Writing Tutors can help with papers from any class. Furthermore, while any papers are welcome in the Writing Center, tutors are also equipped to help with general grammar and editing topics or writing projects not specific to a class, such as cover letters or personal essays.

Do I need to make an appointment to take a test? 

Appointments are preferred so we will have a space reserved for you when you arrive. Please confirm with your professor ahead of time that the test has been sent to the Writing Center. 

What should I bring with me to take a test? 

Please bring your Student ID so you can be logged in, and a pen or pencil. No other materials will be allowed in the testing room except for what the professor has indicated. There is also no food or drink allowed in the testing room with the exception of water.

Can I take my finals early at the Center? 

Finals taken in the Writing Center outside of the regularly-scheduled time must be approved by either the Registrar or Disability Services.