Serving the entire University community, the Writing Center provides help for any writing assignment regardless of the course. At the Writing Center you will work one on one with an instructor whose job is to meet your individual needs. Whether you are just beginning an assignment and are stuck developing a topic or are in the final stages and need help putting the finishing touches on a paper, the Writing Center can help.

From the basics of grammar, punctuation, and spelling to brainstorming, organizing, outlining, drafting, and revising, even word processing, the Writing Center can help you produce your paper. Instructors, many of whom teach courses in English and communications at Widener, offer guidance for anything from single paragraphs to longer writing projects, including those that entail library research and documentation procedures. Besides essays and research papers, the Writing Center assists students with lab reports, clinical reports, even resumes and cover letters.

Even if you don't have a specific writing assignment, the Writing Center is available to help brush up your written communication skills, offering instruction in basic grammar, punctuation, syntax, and producing more effective sentences, paragraphs, and essays. Students often come to the Writing Center for regular weekly appointments, regardless of whether they have a specific writing assignment or not. This kind of regular, personalized instruction is available to all Widener students.

Our writing instructors are also trained to work with students for whom English is a second language. Whether working on a specific assignment or looking for focused instruction in general language skills, bilingual students are welcome at the Writing Center.

In addition to our conferencing area, the Writing Center's computer lab has eight computers for student use. If you are unfamiliar with word processing in Microsoft Word for Windows, our staff can help with familiarization and tutorials to help you learn to write more efficiently via computer.

It is best to make an appointment at the Writing Center, especially during busy periods like midterms and the end of the semester, but "walk-in" students are always welcome and will be seen immediately if an instructor is available. Making an appointment, however, guarantees you a full 50-minute session with the instructor of your choice when it's convenient for you. Just call the Writing Center at extension 4332 and we'll set you up.

If you have begun working on an assignment, bring whatever materials you have, such as notes, an outline, or a draft of your paper. For research papers, bring as much of your original source material as possible. BE SURE TO BRING A COPY OF THE ASSIGNMENT! This is one of the best ways to make sure the Writing Center instructor helps you fulfill your professor's expectations. Together, you and the instructor can examine the assignment to ensure you meet the criteria set by your professor. If you have been working on a computer, it's also a good idea to bring your disk in case you and the instructor want to print out a new copy or work together at the keyboard.