What is the Writing Center?
Albright students can visit the college’s writing center to receive free assistance with composition and revising/editing skills. Peer tutors conference with student writers on all aspects of the writing process. The coordinator is also available for consultation. The center is located in the Computing and Mathematics Building room #105 and has drop-in hours and appointments.
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What is the Writing Center’s philosophy? How does it work?
Writing tutors act as consultants, giving feedback and guidance on major areas of writing (idea development, organization, use of research, etc.) Writing tutors actively engage students in meaningful conversations about their writing and help writers learn new strategies.
The center’s goal is not to have students leave with “perfect papers,” but rather to have students leave with more effective composing/revising/editing strategies.
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Who works at the Writing Center?
The Writing Center’s peer tutors are Albright students who have a history of success in writing intensive courses. Tutors receive training throughout the year on tutoring and composition strategies. The coordinator (a composition instructor) is also available to work with students.
Writing Center tutors have a wide range of majors but have all received a high grade in the ENG 101/102 course sequence and an advanced writing-intensive course. All tutors must receive a positive faculty recommendation before being hired.
Tutors receive ongoing training in composition and tutoring methodology and are required to work towards their College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) tutoring certification.
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Where can I get flyers for my students?
Please contact the center coordinator (Rachel Liberatore) and request flyers for your courses. Indicate the number of students and whether it is a regular day course or a DCP/DSP course. We can also visit your class at request (see next section).
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Can the Writing Center visit my class?
At request, the Writing Center tutors or director can visit most classes to promote the center and explain our approach towards working with students. These presentations last about 15 minutes. The center can also provide you with informative flyers to give students.
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Can I require my whole class to work with the Writing Center?
We request that student sessions be optional since voluntary sessions are often more productive than required sessions. However, if you ask an entire class to have sessions with the center, it is recommended that you allow visits throughout the semester to ensure open time slots are available.
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Special assignments: My students are working on a group project. Can the whole group come in for an appointment? Does the Writing Center help students with take-home essay exams?
Students working together on a project may work with a tutor as a group.
The Writing Center relies on students to give reliable information about whether they can bring take-home exams to the center. If you do not want your students to bring a particular assignment to the center, please include a statement on the assignment indicating your request.
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My students could really use help with proofreading/editing. Will you proofread papers before they turn their work in to me?
Rather than proofread or edit for the student, writing tutors will help students gain proofreading strategies. This may mean that not all students will leave the center with a grammatically perfect paper, but they should leave with stronger independent writing and revising/editing skills.
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I teach in the DCP or DSP Program. How can the center help my students?
DCP or DSP students are also encouraged to meet with the center’s peer tutors or coordinator for in- person sessions. Since many DCP/DSP students attend classes on branch/distance-learning campuses, they may also request a telephone conference or e-mailed feedback. They may refer to the information on this “Writing Center Information for DCP/DSP Students” flyer for additional details.
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How can I help the Writing Center work with my students?
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Encourage all students to visit the center-- even students doing well could benefit from additional feedback.
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Share stories of your own experiences collaborating with others to develop your writing.
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Ask your students to bring their assignment sheets, grading guidelines, etc. to their appointment.
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Visit the center’s website as it continues to evolve, and let the center know what faculty resources would benefit you.
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Include an encouraging statement about the center on your course syllabi. The center website provides a sample statement.
- Note that voluntary visits tend to be more productive than required visits.
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How do I contact the Writing Center for more information?
Location: The Writing Center is located in the Center for Computing and Mathematics, room #105.
Email: writingcenter@alb.edu
Coordinator: Rachel Liberatore, Center for Computing and Mathematics, room #103, RLiberatore@alb.edu, 610-921-7854
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Here is a handout of tips and resources for faculty on teaching writing across the disciplines: "Thoughtful Approaches to Writing: A Bibliography of Web Sources For Faculty"
Writing Center Syllabus Statement for Regular Courses:
We encourage all students to visit the Writing Center early and often throughout the semester to help build a strong foundation for writing in this course and in all of your courses. The center’s peer tutors and coordinator will work with you at any stage of the writing process, from developing and organizing ideas to revising and editing drafts. Rather than editing your work for you, writing tutors will actively engage you in meaningful conversations about your writing and help you learn new strategies. The center is located in the Center for Computing and Mathematics Room #105 and can be reached at writingcenter@alb.edu or (610) 921-7540. Appointments are recommended to ensure availability. You can view the schedule and make an appointment through our online appointment system at http://alb.mywconline.com or visit our center in person for assistance.
Writing Center Syllabus Statement for DCP/DSP Courses
[Note: See above for a sample syllabus statement for regular courses] We encourage all students to visit the Writing Center early and often to help build a strong foundation for writing in this course and in all of your courses. Rather than editing your work for you, writing tutors will actively engage you in meaningful conversations about your writing and help you learn new strategies for brainstorming, composing, revising and editing. The center is located on the main Reading campus in the Center for Computing and Mathematics Room #105 and can be reached at writingcenter@alb.edu or (610) 921-7540. You can view the peer-tutoring schedule and make an appointment through our online appointment system at http://alb.mywconline.com or visit our center in person for assistance. DCP/DSP students unable to visit the center in person may email their essays for feedback. Please send the essay at least two days (Mon-Fri) before needing feedback to writingcenter@alb.edu. Include your full name and phone number, your DCP/DSP program name, the course and professor, any information available about assignment guidelines or professor preferences, and requests for feedback on particular aspects of the essay. Writing Center services, including online services, may not be available during some holidays or parts of the general college’s winter/summer breaks.
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