What We Do and Don't Do
The Writing Center exists to help all UM students improve their writing skills as they pursue their academic and professional goals. We provide free writing instruction through one-on-one tutoring, in-class workshops, and the Writing Assistant program. Our expert writing instructors teach students how to
- engage in critical thinking throughout the writing process
- read critically as preparation for writing
- plan, develop, and direct a paper for a specific audience
- revise and edit papers and reports
- assess writing from the reader’s perspective
The Writing Center instructors do not
- proofread, copyedit, or rewrite papers for students
- review papers without the student being present
- criticize the nature of instructors' assignments
- mediate between students and their instructors
- assume responsibility for the student's paper or grade or writing score
Top Myths about The Writing Center:
MYTH # 1: The Writing Center is just for students in academic trouble. WRONG! Any good writer will tell you that getting expert feedback—even criticism—is the key to becoming a better writer. Writing is a social act that is best tested on a compassionate, knowledgeable reader before being “published” in class or on an employer’s desk. The Writing Center is for anyone who writes to get ahead in life!
MYTH # 2: You have to pay for tutoring. WRONG! Everything we do is FREE to UM students, staff, and faculty. All of our programs are supported by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
MYTH # 3: If English is your second language, tutors at The Writing Center will correct all your mistakes in your paper for you. WRONG! Tutors teach you how to find and correct your errors yourself. Because ESL students may have many word choice and grammar errors on a single page, tutors address just a few of these kinds of errors at each tutoring session. Over time, ESL students can reduce the frequency of certain errors through careful study, practice, and repeated visits to the Writing Center. The main focus of every tutoring session is a dialogue about the critical thinking and composition strategies that are appropriate to the writing task at hand.
MYTH # 4: If I meet with a tutor I will get a better grade on my paper/pass the Writing Assessment. DEPENDS. How you use the advice that the tutor gives you will influence your writing performance and determine how well you perform on a particular writing task. The writing tutor is the coach; YOU have to put in the time and effort to improve your skills, as well as use them to the best of your ability when you are called to do so.
MYTH # 5: The Writing Center is staffed by English majors and creative writers. WRONG (mostly). Although some of our best tutors have been English majors or poets, every year the tutors have diverse academic backgrounds. To date we have had tutors with preparation in these fields: philosophy, military history, ornithology, special education, anthropology, environmental science, journalism, biology, chemistry, geology, business, and linguistics. All our tutors are qualified to assess your writing, in any field, for the purpose of giving you useful feedback.
Our programs
Tutoring
Free, private tutoring for all UM students who request it. Expert writing tutors lead students through the stages of the writing process to teach students how to become their own toughest critics. Available autumn and spring semesters by appointment on or a drop-in basis.
Writing Assistants
Each semester The Writing Center employs strong student writers to write constructive, readerly comments on drafts of student papers in certain courses. Writing Assistants are assigned to any course with a writing component, at the request of the instructor. WA's are available free to any academic department in autumn and spring semesters.
Workshops
Customized in-class workshops by request. Topics include overviews of The Writing Center, the UDWPA, or these: Writing and Using a Thesis Statement; How Write a Research Paper; Using and Quoting Sources; How to Evaluate Student Writing; How to Support Your Argument; What Makes a Paragraph Good. Available autumn, spring, and summer semesters, with reasonable notice.
Courses
UNC 270 Critical Writing II is a two-credit course taught by The Writing Center in autumn and spring to increase students’ ability to read, write, and think critically about source texts. The course features short, analytical assignments grounded in close reading, with an emphasis on revision in the writing process. Timed writing exercises similar to the WPA offer excellent preparation for the WPA and other academic work. Counts as a lower-division writing course. For Autumn 2007 the course is offered:
MW 1:10-2:00 CRN 72601
T/Th 1:10-2:00 CRN 72602
HC 495 Research Portfolio Seminar is a two-credit course designed to assist undergraduate students with their independent research projects. Students set research timelines, identify research resources, and maintain a written record of their research process. The seminar format allows students conducting research in separate disciplines the opportunity to learn from each other under the guidance of a research scientist, Dr. Gretchen McCaffrey. Enrollment by permission of the Davidson Honors College. Students need not be members of DHC to apply. Contact Laurel Aroner at 243-2541 for more information. Offered Autumn and Spring semesters.
Handouts
Free, downloadable handouts on writing issues frequently addressed in The Writing Center. Custom handouts for a specific course available by request.
Writing Proficiency Assessment (UDWPA)
UM's large-scale writing assessment of all undergraduate students. Students should pass the assessment prior to beginning upper division coursework. The WPA is offered six times per year and students may retake it as often as needed in order to meet the requirement. The Writing Center administers most facets of the assessment at the behest of the UM Faculty Senate.
UDWPA Prep
Workshops, private tutoring, post-exam conferences, and online assistance are offered throughout the academic year to help students prepare for and pass the WPA. All preparation is free and open to any student required to meet the WPA requirement.
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Writing Center Staff
Director
2007-2008 Tutors
Tom Bateridge, M.S. Geology and Soils Science, The University of Montana and Montana State University. Spanish and French tutor 1994-1998; water resources consultant 1984-present; UM Writing Center tutor 2003-present.
Henrietta Goodman, M.A. English, M.F.A. Poetry, The University of Montana. Poet, UM Adjunct Assistant Professor 2001-present; UM Writing Center tutor and coordinator 2003-present.
Jake Hansen, graduate student, M.A. in Teaching English, University of Montana; High school English teacher; Writing tutor 2006-present.
Greg Hill, graduate student, M.F.A. University of Montana; college writing instructor; doctoral candidate, Purdue University; Writing tutor 2006-present.
Gretchen McCaffrey, Ph.D. Molecular Biology, University of Oregon. Lecturer and research professional in cell biololgy 1987-present; UM Writing Center tutor and Writing Mentor 2005-present.
Employment at The Writing Center
The success of The Writing Center depends on the qualities of its employees. If you are interested in working for The Center, please consider the positions listed below, each of which is challenging in its own way. The Writing Center provides its employees with training and support to ensure that they learn as they teach. We welcome applicants who would enjoy being a part of a team that works toward improving undergraduate writing skills at The University of Montana.
Positions:
Writing Proficiency Assessment Proctors
Please send all application materials to:
Director, The Writing Center
281 Lommasson Center
University of Montana-Missoula
Missoula, MT 59812
Email: growl@mso.umt.edu
You may send your application to one of the above addresses or leave your application at the University Advising Center front desk in the Lommasson Center, addressed to the director. Questions about the positions should be directed to (406) 243-2470.
Writing Tutors
Positions available for 2007-8:
Writing tutors are experienced writers and teachers who provide on-site and online writing instruction to UM students at The Writing Center. Tutors work 7-18 hours per week during the academic semester during daytime, evening, and weekend shifts. Substantial paid training beyond the minimal qualifications is provided by The Writing Center. Writing tutors earn between $10.00 and $16.00 per hour, depending on experience.
To become a writing tutor, each applicant must meet the following minimum qualifications: 1) excellent English language writing skills; 2) previous professional experience teaching high school or college students; 3) ability to critique student writing efficiently and constructively; 4) readiness to adopt tutoring techniques employed at the Center; 5) availability for pre-semester training sessions, staff meetings, and performance evaluation conferences; 6) excellent interpersonal skills. Applicants with a graduate degree or graduate student status in any discipline are especially encouraged to apply.
To apply, please submit: 1) a brief cover letter explaining why you would like to be a tutor at The Writing Center; 2) a 1-2 page resumé; 3) a sample of your academic (non-fiction) writing (5 page limit); and a letter of reference from a former supervisor or faculty member evaluating your promise as a tutor (may be submitted by email). Applicants may submit all materials as attachments via e-mail to the director or leave hard copy applications in Lommasson 269 addressed to The Writing Center.
Application deadline: We are not accepting applications at this time.
Writing Assistants
Positions available per academic year: 4-6
The Writing Assistant Program pairs student writing assistants with instructors whose courses have a significant writing requirement. The writing assistant gives feedback to students in a writing course by writing questions and suggestions in the margins of students' papers. Instructors indicate on the syllabus which papers must be cycled through the writing assistant before being turned in. In this way, the writing assistant assists the students by providing valuable written feedback, and the writing assistant assists the instructor by showing students how to improve their papers before they are graded.
Assistants do not grade or correct papers. Rather, they use their comments to guide students toward better development, organization, mechanics, and diction. They may also advise the students to use the tutoring services of The Writing Center for personalized writing instruction. Although the writing assistants work with the instructors to meet the writing goals of the course, the assistants will be trained and supervised by The Writing Center. Writing assistants must be available for a paid training session on the second or third Saturday of fall semester.
To become a writing assistant, a student must be a junior, senior, or graduate student in excellent academic standing. Applications for the position must include: 1) a brief cover letter explaining the applicant's interest in the position, 2) one letter of recommendation, preferably from a UM instructor, that speaks to the applicant's writing skills and reliability, and 3) a sample of the applicant's academic writing, three to five pages in length. Letters of recommendation may be emailed to the director. Writing assistants earn $8.50 per hour and work 20-40 hours per semester. Applicants from all academic majors are encouraged to apply.
Application deadline: Wwe are not accepting applications at this time.
Writing Proficiency Assessment Proctors
Positions available for the academic year: 6-8
Proctors for the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Assessment assist the WPA coordinator on WPA test dates. Their duties include: signing students into the exam; distributing test materials; monitoring students during the exam; collecting test materials after the exam. All work is completed at the exam site, usually within a three to five hour period. The exam is offered five times during the school year. Proctors earn $8.00 per hour.
To become a WPA proctor, you must be a UM student in excellent academic standing who is available on some or all of the exam dates. Email the director to express your interest in the position.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the academic year.
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