Writing Center Myths

Myth #1: Writing Center visits should be mandatory.

We feel that students must want to learn, must actively seek help with their writing
in order for our advice to be helpful. We aren’t simply a fix-it shop for failed papers. Our philosophy encourages students of all abilities to strengthen their writing skills. If, however, you feel that requiring a Writing Center visit would truly benefit your students, you are, of course, free to do so.

Myth #2: Students can drop off their papers to have them proofread.

Instead of working for students, our staff works with them to show them how to identify, fix, and avoid the types of errors they commonly make, fostering independence. While we will help with grammar, we will not do the work for the student for two reasons. First, the student is ultimately responsible for the paper, and correcting all grammatical errors for the student shifts the responsibility for that final, “clean” draft onto the proofreader. Second, the student learns little, or at least less, from such an exercise.

Myth #3: Students who have received help with a paper at the Writing Center should submit outstanding work, an “A” paper, and/or work with no “errors.”

We do not guarantee better grades on assignments. Students can, and do, come to the Writing Center with an assignment only, with an assignment and some hastily scribbled notes, with a preliminary outline in need of much more thought, with a “draft” that was created in an hour or less. These students aren’t polishing up final drafts. Students—far too many—come at the last minute, the day the paper is due, and haven’t left themselves time to make any substantive changes. Of course, students also come to the Center with drafts that they’ve written diligently. Some even come a week or more before the paper is due. In all cases, what we offer students is advice. We tell them directly that they are the authors, that only they will earn a grade for their work, and that ultimately they must decide what to do with the advice offered. A student may be offered terrific suggestions regarding alternative ways to structure ideas—during a discussion that lasts an entire hour—and leave the Center with no plans to revise the paper one bit. Alternatively, a student may take a consultant’s advice to develop a point further despite a conversation the student had with the faculty member where this was discouraged. In both cases, the student is responsible for the paper.

Myth #4: Students can drop in any time to meet with a Writing Center staff member.

The Writing Center is a busy place. Many times students must wait a day or two for the first
available appointment. We do offer some walk-in hours, but there could very well be a line of
students waiting for sessions at these times. In order for students to guarantee that they will be able to take advantage of Writing Center feedback, they should make an appointment at least two days in advance. A growing number of students make appointments a week or more in advance, working us into their writing process.

Myth #5: The Writing Center should replace faculty conferences.

The mission of the Writing Center involves enhancing the writing skills of Bryant students. We are an academic support system, and as such cannot replace faculty feedback on writing. We are prepared to support faculty instruction. Indeed, our staff is aware that some student questions can be answered only by the faculty member who assigned the paper. We encourage students to get direction from the Writing Center as well as from faculty.