Information for Faculty

I like the work and how I’m getting help in the writing center.

Recent student comment on our satisfaction survey

Why Recommend the Writing Center?

The writing center is a free service for all WSU students. We support all writers, at every level. The biggest benefit of the writing center isn’t “fixing” or “editing” papers, but offering guided peer conversations about writing.

Research shows over and over that students learn the best when working with their peers. Our center works on a peer tutoring model. Our writing consultants engage student writers in metacommentary and guided metacognition, offer effective reader response, and use proven tutoring strategies to guide writers

Our writing consultants engage in ongoing training and professional development and are highly qualified and effective.

Supporting Your Students

Suggested Syllabus Blurb

The WSU Writing Center offers feedback, resources, and support for students as they develop, clarify, and articulate their ideas in writing. Peer writing consultants can work with students at any stage of an assignment from understanding the instructions to developing and revising drafts to proofreading before submission. Whether the focus is on organization, evidence use, depth of analysis, or clarity of sentences, all writers benefit from a conversation about their writing.

Encouraging your students to visit us

Some faculty give extra credit for visiting the Writing Center. Some faculty use reflection assignments to learn about the student’s experience or about their revision plans. We always appreciate a heads-up before students come to see us, and we are happy to read your assignment and grading criteria to prepare to meet and support your students.

If your class is larger than 50 students and you are going to give extra credit or include the Writing Center as part of the assignment, please reach out to Pullman.Writing.Center@wsu.edu to discuss logistics and to ensure the Writing Center is ready for your students to visit.

Students can drop-in or make an appointment

Verifying student visits

Students can request date- and time-stamped business cards after consultations. We can work with you to create a form specific to your course to verify the visit, as well.

Instructional Support for You

Class visits
We are happy to swing by your class to talk about the Writing Center. We can certainly tailor our spiel to your class or a certain project. Email us at Pullman.Writing.Center@wsu.edu to discuss.

Support for instruction and assignments
We are eager to collaborate with faculty on assignment design, reflective post-consultation assignments, or any other initiative or intervention. We’re happy to give support and advice or to just brainstorm with you on writing pedagogy topics. Please reach out to the Writing Center Director, Dr. Jeannie Griffin Bennett, at jeanetta.bennett@wsu.edu

Request a Workshop

We often collaborate with faculty to provide peer-led workshops for specific topics or projects. Examples of workshop topics we offer include (but are not limited to):

• Revision strategies
• Effective peer review and peer response
• Citation Style and format refresher
• Professional communication tips
• Writing and studying tips
• Writing personal statements
• Integrating sources and research effectively

We look forward to developing new workshops with you based on your students’ needs! To request a workshop, contact the Writing Center Director, Dr. Jeannie Griffin Bennett, at jeanetta.bennett@wsu.edu

Note: because we are committed to a peer-based tutoring model, most of our workshops are consultant-led. However, the Writing Center Director is available by request for guest lectures or to facilitate workshops on a case-by-case basis.

Information for other campuses

Students can find in-person writing support on the Tri Cities, Vancouver, and Spokane campuses. The Pullman Undergraduate Writing Center can offer asynchronous support to students who are not on the Pullman campus, including Global students. Students can submit a draft for written feedback.

What is eTutoring?

WSU contracts with eTutoringOnline.org, a consortium of two year and four year colleges and universities. If students need writing support over university breaks or after-hours, they can visit eTutoringOnline.org. All WSU students are allowed to use eTutoring for support on their writing. The eTutoring platform has two types of support: live chats with writing tutors and written feedback on drafts.