Writing & Reading Consultations

All UWSP students can receive FREE writing, reading, and study strategies consultations at the Tutoring-Learning Center. 

One-on-one consultations help with the following:

  • Papers for Freshman English
  • Papers for university courses
  • Challenging course readings
  • Planning and writing for essay exams
  • Lab reports
  • Résumés
  • Research papers
  • Personal statements
  • Learning Strategies
To sign up for a tutorial, just stop in at the TLC in the basement of the University Library Building: LRC 018, or call 715-346-3568.
 
You may be able to see a consultant without an appointment, but it's best to call ahead for help with specific courses.
 
Regular hours:
 
9:00 - 6:00, Monday - Thursday
 
9:00 - 1:00, Friday
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What is a Writing Lab Consultation?

No matter what class you are taking, we have people in the writing lab who are familiar with the different kinds of writing and reading you are expected to do. You will sit down with someone who has been successful in the same type of course work as you are taking now. For many students, collaboration with a peer in a relaxed environment is a great compliment to formal classroom instruction, and our goal is to provide you with where you can retain control of your learning.

Our consultants are students from UWSP who have been trained to help with writing, reading, and study strategies. As fellow students, they are in touch with the challenges that you face. All of our consultants come to us through faculty recommendation, and they complete a three-credit class in which they acquire skills to most effectively help others. Rather than simply being told what to do, you will have an opportunity to discuss any aspect of writing, reading, or studying that concerns you. Consultants work with you on specific assignments, but they also provide you with tools for future success.   

Help with Reading Assignments

Reading in college is different from reading in high school. Even proficient readers can struggle with college expectations. Professors require students to read from a more critical viewpoint and to sort through information with a specialized eye. The purpose of reading assignments varies from class to class. Writing Lab consultants have experience with the types of reading that you are doing, and they can share strategies with you. Here is what you can expect:
  • A consultant will talk with you about difficult or confusing reading assignments. Our approach is to consider each class individually, rather than just talking about reading in general. For example, many students find that they may be reading successfully in a number of classes, but having problems in only one or two.
  • We will help you to figure out what's working well. Everybody learns differently, and becoming more aware of what works for you will improve your comprehension.
  • Together, you and a consultant will decide on some strategies or practices that will help you in this particular class.
 
 

Help with Writing Assignments

No matter what stage of the writing process you are in, we can help. We employ consultants who are familiar with many types of college writing, including essays, research papers, science writing and lab reports, business writing, bibliographies, and more. When you come to a tutorial, you can do any or all of these things:
  • Discuss how course readings relate to the writing assignment. We can help you brainstorm how to begin writing your paper.
  • Bring your preliminary ideas and notes for the assignment and talk them through. Doing so can help you clarify and focus your ideas.
  • Discuss how to do research, how to use the library database, or how to determine which sources to use.
  • Bring a rough draft of your paper and talk it over. The consultant can comment on which sections are clearly explained and which may need more explanation and support.
  • Bring in your paper in its final stages and ask your consultant to comment on particular sections that just aren't working for you. These might be paragraphs, sentences, or word choices about which you have some doubts. If your paper is finished, we can discuss techniques for fine-tuning.

 

 
Help with Assignments in English 101, 102, and 150
 
Freshman English classes challenge many students. You will be asked to complete several writing tasks, including a research paper. Here are some of the things you will do:
  • Brainstorm a topic, narrow it, and focus on it
  • Evaluate your sources, both internet and traditional print
  • Integrate your quotations and work through your paraphrasing and summarizing (and help avoiding inadvertent plagiarism)
  • Interpret handbook rules on such things as quotation punctuation, in-text citations, and work cited or reference lists

Here is how a Writing Lab consultant can help:

  • Discussing how to conduct library searches and how to evaluate sources
  • Going over class readings and other source materials to help you to narrow down your thesis
  • Offering suggestions as you draft, organize, and develop your paper
  • Giving tips on how to integrate quotes, paraphrases, and works cited or reference lists
  • Helping you to avoid plagiarism 

 

 

Help with Career Searches and Writing Résumés

 Applying for a job can be as difficult as writing for a class.
  • Discuss possible ways to interpret a job posting.
  • Talk about your education, job experience, and qualifications with a consultant. Doing so can help you to focus your ideas and begin work on a résumé.
  • Bring a rough draft of your résumé and cover letter and talk them over. The consultant can suggest ways to showcase your strengths and make the documents attractive to an employer.
  • Bring in your completed résumé and/or cover letter and ask your consultant to comment on them.