About the Writing Workshop: Peer tutors staff the workshop, all of whom have taken at least one training course to familiarize themselves with writing theory and pedagogy. Tutors help students identify areas of difficulty and work with them on a range of issues including fluency, organization, development, analysis, and argument. Tutors also help students copyedit their work as needed. Tutors do NOT write papers for students, nor do they simply act as proofreaders. All work on development and copy reading takes place within the context of the student’s own writing.

How to sign up: Students can sign up at https://library.drake.edu/writing . This site is also linked to on the English website. The website itself will give students directions on how to proceed. Typically, an appointment is for 30 minutes. Students can sign up for more than one session if they choose. They may also request that a tutor keep a regular time slot available for them if they would like to come in each week. If students are having difficulty signing up, they should call the Writing Workshop at 271-4712. They could also email me with any concerns (jody.swilky@drake.edu).

Location: The Writing Workshop is located in Cowles Library, Room 47, on the lower level. Hours are available:

• Monday–Friday during the day
• Monday–Thursday during the evening
• Saturday afternoon
• Sunday afternoon and evening

Communication with professors: If you refer your student to the workshop, please let us know via email (jody.swilky@drake.edu). Have them bring the assignment they are responding to, as well as any writing they have done to complete the assignment. As part of the first visit, tutors always ask students if they have been referred. If a student is referred, the tutor will send an email letting you know that your student has attended and will briefly describe what work was done. If you do not receive an email from us, your student did not attend. If a student attends on his or her own, we do not inform professors unless the student specifically asks us to.

Workshop services: In addition to tutoring students, workshop tutors are available to speak briefly to classes about the workshop. If you would like a tutor to come to your class, please call or email me. Please also feel free to call or email me with questions about writing, working with students for whom English is not a first language, or with questions about any student who is having particular difficulty with writing. You can also learn more about the workshop in the Writing Workshop brochure.

—Submitted by Jody Swilky, the Elle and Nelle Levitt Professor of English, Writing Workshop Director