Writing Center
We are experienced, knowledgeable, and challenging readers; trained writers and teachers of writing; engaged, interested, and ready to assist you in developing your writing projects.
When We Are Available
Professional Writing Tutors are available Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. by appointment which include in-person, virtual, or walk-ins.
- No new appointments will be taken after 4:00 p.m.
Peer tutors are available Monday – Friday by appointment and walk-ins.
Location
- Johnston Memorial Library on the 2nd floor with ACE Strategic Learning
What We Do
The Virginia State University Writing Center is here to assist the entire VSU community, including all undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff in any stage of the writing process on any writing project.
We provide a welcoming environment to support your development as a more confident writer.
What Services We Offer to You
We offer one-on-one support through tutoring and writing services. Students are encouraged to schedule appointments to receive one-on-one support or to get oriented with workshops. Walk-ins are accepted if consultants are not serving patrons with appointments. We also offer a series of workshops for the students to attend and answer any questions regarding assignments or to address any concerns.
- Services Include but are not limited to: Constructive Essay Writing, Research Methods, MLA & APA formatting, and Writing Workshops
What We Won’t Do
- We will not edit your paper while you wait. The Writing Center does not provide a drop off service!
- All students are expected to proofread, edit, or rewrite their own writing projects.
- We do not provide assistance with take-home exams or legal documents.
- We will not argue with you or your professor if you do not receive the grade you want on a project. While we offer the option of sharing information about your session, that is only done with your express consent. We will not compromise the confidentiality of your session by discussing it or the contents of your assignments with other tutors and students.
Writing Center Appointment Protocol
In order to have an effective appointment, please be on time. Students who are 10 minutes late will be considered a no show and will have to reschedule. Please bring all materials that you will need to develop, discuss, and prepare your assignment. That may include the assignment sheet provided by your instructor, a typed copy of your draft, copies of articles or essays discussed in your draft, and a media storage device to save any revisions you make. Be prepared to take notes for any suggestions we may recommend. Come in with a positive attitude and be ready to work. Students who are repeatedly problematic (overly-argumentative, show up with no first draft or understanding of their assignment, do not notate staff suggestions or schedule appointments with only the sole purpose of obtaining documentation of having come for professors) will be denied service. The tutoring session is located in the Strategic Learning section of ACE. We are located to the right of the elevator.
To Schedule an Appointment
Please book an appointment using the EAB Navigate app or contact Ms. Simmons, Administrative Assistant, at qsimmons@vsu.edu
Students are allowed to book ONE session a day with a Professional Writing and Peer Tutor. Appointment times consist of 15 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour. Sessions are not held for two hours or more.
*Students who are recommended by professors for an appointment will receive proof of appointment after getting assistance on said assignment. We do not provide proof of an appointment if the student only walked in and did not receive help. Pictures are not allowed to be taken unless you have booked an appointment to receive assistance on an assignment.
Resources
- Purdue OWL – Purdue is an online writing lab that offers global support through online reference materials and services for creating citations, cover letters, major-specific writing help, and general writing advice. Purdue Owl allows all to generate sources for website links, books, journals and periodicals.
- MLA
- MLA Format Guide/Paper Sample: General Format - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University
- MLA In-Text Citations Examples: MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University
- MLA Works Cited Page Example: MLA Sample Works Cited Page - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University
- APA
- APA Format Guide/Paper Sample: General Format - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University
- APA In-Text Citations Example: In-Text Citations: The Basics - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University
- APA Reference List Example/Sample Paper: Reference List: Basic Rules - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University & APA Sample Paper - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University pg. 17-19(Student Paper) pg. 19-22 (Professional Paper)
- MLA
- Grammarly – Grammarly is free to all students and staff. Grammarly is a typing assistance website that helps with spell check, grammar, sentence structure, punctuation and more
- Link: www.grammarly.com
- Library Database – the library database is free to all and can be assessed 24/7. Students will be able to search for sources here. It has multiple databases which are listed A-Z. Students will be able to obtain books, scholarly journals, newspapers, e-books and other articles.
- Online Thesaurus – A community-driven, user-friendly site dedicated to helping writers find the right word to say what needs to be said in the most impactful, precise way possible
Staff
Queen Simmons
Administrative Assistance
Phone: 804-524-5833
Email: qsimmons@vsu.edu
EAB Navigate: https://vsu.campus.eab.com/pal/fUciYnt1VF
Dr. William Hobbs
Writing Center Director/ Professional Writing Tutor
Phone: 804-524-5833
Email: whobbs@vsu.edu
EAB Navigate: https://vsu.campus.eab.com/pal/V0S_ydD41z
Christopher Moore
Professional Writing Tutor
Phone: 804-524-3251
Email: CMoore@vsu.edu
EAB Navigate: https://vsu.campus.eab.com/pal/XTM6A8cnAP
Tedria Smith
Professional Writing Tutor
Phone: 804-524-5423
Email: tsmith@vsu.edu
EAB Navigate: https://vsu.campus.eab.com/pal/ma0L59Rxpy
'Read widely. Study other writers. Be thoughtful, then go out and do the work of changing the form, finding your own voice, and saying what you need to say. Be fearless. And care.' — Glory Edim