A consultation is a meeting between a student and a writing instructor, planned in advance, on specific aspects of a student’s writing. In discussion with the student, an instructor will work with the student in order to identify and concentrate on those areas of writing that are strong or need improvement.
While an instructor advises about possible changes to the writing, a student is ultimately responsible for making decisions regarding the final version they will submit.
Students have found the opportunity to discuss their writing with an instructor over the course of the academic year to be one of the most valuable components of the Center’s academic support.
Writing Center Consultation Policy
- Consultation services are available for all students of CEU, as well as faculty and staff. You can arrange a consultation using the Writing Center on-line, or by contacting an instructor by email.
- As well as assignments set as part of Writing Center courses, you may consult with a writing instructor on any work for CEU, including but not necessarily limited to: assignments given as part of your coursework (unless indicated by the department that no assistance should be given); articles for publication; career-oriented writing, such as letters of application for further study, CV's or statements of purpose.
- The purpose of a consultation is to help you to become a better writer by discussing your general concerns about writing, as well as specific papers you are working on.
- The purpose of the consultation is neither to correct nor proof-read your paper for you, but in discussion with you, to identify ways in which the writing could be improved.
- Send your writing to your instructor or give them a hard copy 24 hours in advance.
- Consultations are planned as 30-minute sessions. For this reason, you need to decide what can be covered in this time and let your instructor know this in advance.
- We offer each student a maximum of two consultations per week. In busy periods, instructors schedules may fill up very quickly, please plan ahead.
- We believe that signing up with the same instructor builds a productive relationship. If your usual instructor is unavailable, you can arrange a consultation with another instructor.
- Instructors are specialists in academic writing. Our role is not to evaluate the suitability of assignments set by faculty. Where questions arise about task or content, we will encourage you to seek clarification from the person assigning the task.
