Tips for Using the Centre

 

When you arrive in the Writing Centre, please sign in and mark the "Purpose of Visit" column on our sign-in sheet.  This helps us to track how many students are using our services and plan future Writing Centre initiatives.

You may discuss your work at any stage with a writing instructor.  Some of the topics you might consult on are finding out more about doing research, organizing material, developing ideas, and improving your grammar skills. We do not proofread your writing, but we will point out sample errors and teach you how to avoid those errors.

When you see an instructor, it is best to have specific questions prepared in advance. For example, you may ask if you have developed an example in a body paragraph sufficiently, or if your thesis statement is specific and direct, or if a particular sentence makes its point clearly. Students who underline, highlight, or star problematic passages, words, or punctuation marks in their writing assignments tend to make most effective use of their consultation time.  During busy periods of the academic year, instructors spend approximately fifteen minutes with each student. 

Instructors will recommend handouts and exercises that might benefit your writing. You are welcome to look through our extensive collection of handouts and to select those that look helpful.

We also recommend that students purchase The Capilano Guide to Writing Assignments, which is produced by English Department instructors in consultation with other departments. It is available from the Capilano University Bookstore.

Top