What We Do and Don't Do
The Writing Center exists to help all UM students improve as writers as they pursue their academic and professional goals. We provide free writing instruction through one-on-one tutoring and in-class workshops. Our expert writing tutors help students more effectively
- engage in critical thinking throughout the writing process;
- read critically as preparation for writing;
- plan, develop, and direct a paper for a specific audience and purpose;
- 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.
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.
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.
Tutors help you learn 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 am guaranteed to get a better grade on my paper or to pass the Writing Assessment.
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 only by English majors and creative writers.
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, literature, military history, ornithology, special education, anthropology, environmental science, journalism, biology, chemistry, geology, business, and linguistics. All of 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 help students approach writing as a process and guide them to become more successful, versatile writers aware of their rhetorical choices. Available autumn and spring semesters by appointment on or a drop-in basis. Students are limited to 120 minutes of tutoring per week.
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 both face-to-face and online by The Writing Center in autumn, spring, and summer to facilitate 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 writing as a recursive process. Timed writing exercises similar to the WPA also are discussed. Counts as a W course. For Spring 2010, the course is offered in a face-to-face or online format:
MW 1:10-2:00 CRN 32242
Online CRN 34245
HC 320 E Research Portfolio Seminar (formerly HC 495) 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. For Spring 2010, the course is offered:
MW 1:10-2:00 CRN 34958
HC 295 Peer Writing Tutor Preparation is a two-credit seminar that offers students the exciting opportunity to move from the traditional role as student to the more dynamic role as peer writing tutor. Throughout the semester, students will not only learn how to facilitate others’ growth as writers, but also students will become more effective writers themselves. The seminar explores the value of collaborative learning, the effectiveness of one-to-one tutoring, and the theories and pedagogies of writing and peer tutoring. Through a combination of readings, writings, discussion, and experiential practice in the art of student-to-student tutoring and in the art of providing written feedback to writers, students will develop confidence and experience in helping their peers to develop as writers.
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)
The Writing Center is charged with helping students to prepare for UM's large-scale writing assessment. Undergraduate 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.
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
Kelly Webster, M.A. in Literature, The University of California, Santa Cruz. Teaching Fellow and Lecturer, UCSC Writing Program 1999-2003; Composition Department, Cabrillo College 2002-2003; Director of The Writing Center, Chemeketa Community College 2004-2008; English Department, Chemeketa Communtiy College 2003-2008; UM Writing Center Director and Tutor 2008-present.
Associate Directors
Jake Hansen, M.A. in Teaching English, The University of Montana; High School English Instructor 2003-2005; Institute Fellow, Montana Writing Project 2006; UM Writing Tutor 2006-present; UM Writing Center Associate Director 2009-present.
Gretchen McCaffrey, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, The University of Oregon. Lecturer and Research Professional in cell biololgy 1987-present; UM Writing Center Tutor 2005-present; UM Writing Center Associate Director 2008-present.
2009-2010 Tutors
Tom Bateridge, M.S. in 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.
Jerri Balsam, M.A., in English, The University of Montana. LINC Educational Exchange Program 1999-2003; Adult Education Instructor 1991-1992; High School and Middle School Instructor 1975-1984; Writing Tutor 2007-present.
Brandy Kiger, M.A. in English/Professional Writing, Western Carolina University; Graduate Student, M.A. Journalism, The University of Montana; Editor, The Career Journal 2008-2009; High School English Instructor 2006-2007; Communications Specialist, Faculty Sandbox 2004-2005; UM Writing Tutor 2009-present.
Robert Lee, M.F.A. inCreative Writing/Poetry, The University of Montana. Resident Writing Teacher, Hydaburg, Alaska 2008-present; Missoula Writing Collaborative Teacher 2006-present; Angler Education
Program 2000-2002; U.S. Postal Service 1972-2002; UM Writing Tutor 2009-present.
Nathaniel Miller, M.S. in Environmental Studies, The University of Montana; Graduate Student, M.A. in Creative Writing/Non Fiction, The University of Montana. Editor, Durango Herald 2002-2004; Music Writer, SantaFe Reporter 2001-2002; Ranch Hand, Laramie River Holdings 2005-2006; UM Writing Tutor, 2007-present.
Heather Tone, M.F.A. in Creative Writing/Poetry, The University of Iowa; Library Technician, Frenchtown School and Community Library 2007-present; High School Speech and Debate Coach 2006-2007; Research Assistant, UM Environmental Studies Department 2007-2008; Adjunct Writing Instructor 2003-2008; UM Writing Tutor, 2009-present.
Brooklyn Walter, Graduate Student, M.A. in Teaching English, The University of Montana. West Central Community Center Staff 1999-2006; UM Teaching Assistant 2008-2009; UM Writing Tutor 2009-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 is student-centered and applicants who are interested in helping students to develop as writers 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 2009-2010:
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 $14.00 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 accept applications on an on-going basis.
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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