Writing Center

Lipscomb University

Swang Center, Room 120

Phone: 615.966.5892

“Writing, like life itself, is a voyage of discovery.”
—Henry Miller

Who We Are

We are students just like you who can relate to you and your writing experiences. Additionally, we have completed at least EN 1123 and have been specially trained in peer tutoring.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to provide peer counsel that promotes the development of good writing skills and fosters the tools necessary for you to become a confident, independent writer. We work to accomplish our purpose through one-on-one conversations about writing assignments while adhering to the Academic Integrity Policy, by listening and responding to ideas, and by teaching you to use a variety of resources to improve your writing.

Our goal is to help you learn to
 

  • Discover and develop ideas that both fulfill the requirements of your assignment and are worth writing about
  • Convert your thoughts/notes into drafts
  • Revise your drafts to improve content, organization, style, and grammar
  • Proofread your own drafts

What We Do NOT Do

  • Provide a drop-off service where you can leave your papers or send them by someoneto get them “fixed.”  You must be present for a tutor to help you with your paper.
  • Write your papers or supply content for your papers.  Asking us to do so is considered a violation of Lipscomb Academic Integrity Policy.
  • Proofread and correct your paper that is due in ten minutes
  • Guarantee a specific grade on your work

What to Bring with You to the Center

  • Your assignment sheet
  • Any ideas, notes, or draft(s) you have already started (The Center has computers if you would like to bring your work on a disk or if you have saved it on the Lipscomb network, but be aware that we sometimes experience network difficulties.)
  • Any materials you use for your paper (the poem or story in your textbook, outside sources, etc.)
  • Any previous work on which your instructor has made comments about needed improvements in your writing
  • Any peer review responses you have received from your class mates 
  • Your grammar handbook
  • A pen or a pencil

How to Help Us Help You

  • Walk-in visits are welcome; but, if possible, drop by the Writing Center (or Swang 122 if the Center is not open) to sign the appointment book so that you will not have to wait for a tutor when you come in for assistance.  You may call 615.966.5892 during the Writing Center hours.
  • Please be aware that sessions are normally limited to 30 minutes.  We will work with you longer only if time and a tutor are available.
  • Plan to visit the Writing Center at several stages of your writing process so that you will have sufficient time to develop and follow through on your ideas. We will help you progress through your writing process, but you can help us help you if you will do the following before coming to the Writing Center :
  1. Prewriting : Even if you do not have a clear idea of a thesis, be sure that you have read carefully and understood the assignment and its requirement; try to have a general direction in which you would like to take your essay.
  2. Drafting: Read over your paper to see if you can identify a thesis and if your subordinate ideas support that thesis. Make notes of questions you want to ask.
  3. Revision: Make notes of questions you want to ask. Mark paragraphs or passages that you are uncertain about or that you think may need to be reordered. Be prepared to respond to any peer reviews you have received.
  4. Proofreading/Editing: Make notes of your concerns about technical matters such as grammar and punctuation. Mark areas where you have questions. Use the spell check tool in your word-processing program.

 “The secret of good writing is to say an old thing a new way or to say a new thing an old way.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald

What to Do When You Come to the Center

  • Register at the sign-in log on the table at the door.  Fill in all required information.
  • Take a Notification of Assistance form located beside the log.
  • Have a seat, fill out the top of the form completely, and sign your name in the blank at the middle of the page.
  • Use your time wisely while waiting for the next available tutor.  For example, you may list questions and mark trouble spots on your draft to help the tutor help you more quickly.
  • Out of respect for tutors and other students, please turn off your cell phone.

Hours - Fall 2009

  • Monday              1-8 p.m.
  • Tuesday             1-8 p.m.
  • Wednesday       1-6 p.m.
  • Thursday           1-8 p.m.
  • Friday                  1-4 p.m.

Walk-in visits are welcome, but appointments are recommended.  You may make an appointment by phone (extenion 5892 or 615.966.5892) or in person in the Center during the above hours.  Before the Center is open each day, you may make an appointment across the hall in Swang 122.

The Writing Center will open on Thursday, September 3, and may close on Study Day. Study Day hours, if available, will be posted. The Center will be closed on all university holidays and breaks. This schedule is subject to change without notice due to tutor availability.

If you are interested in training to become a tutor, please contact Dr. Sally Lavender by calling extension 5779 on campus or 615.966.5779 off campus, by e-mailing sally.lavender@lipscomb.edu, or by visiting her office in Swang 250.