UNBC students can meet with a writing tutor one-to-one for writing support. During a tutoring session, which generally runs 30 minutes to an hour, the student and the tutor can look through a document to identify areas for improvement, or work together to answer specific questions. The tutors help students develop as writers by demonstrating techniques for generating ideas, organizing documents, and revising rough drafts, and by providing descriptive, individualized feedback.
Making an Appointment
Writing tutors are scheduled for specific times on weekly basis. All ASC services are free for UNBC students, including tutoring. To make an appointment, contact the ASC by phone (250-960-6367) or in person (room 5-139G in the Learning Commons on the first floor of the UNBC library).
Getting the Most Out of a Tutoring Session
To ensure the tutoring session is productive, students should review the assignment guidelines and review any feedback given by an instructor, and bring the assignment guidelines to the meeting. The ASC is equipped with computers, but you also have the option of bringing your own laptop or a printed hard copy of your document.
Tutor Backgrounds
The writing tutors come from a variety of disciplines and are at different stages in their academic careers, including a mix of undergraduate and graduate students. Our tutors are trained in specific tutoring methods for helping students to analyze their writing. Tutors receive on-going training and are certified by the International Tutor Certification Program of the CRLA.
Writing tutoring services are not an editing or proofreading service. Our goal is to improve student academic writing skills, not just to improve the grade on any specific paper.
What Tutors DO:
- Read a student’s paper and make suggestions regarding grammar, style, usage, and academic writing requirements.
- Go over the instructor’s assignment with the student to make sure the student understands what needs to be done.
- Make critical comments on portions of the text (generally the first page for early drafts).
- Advise the student regarding appropriate use of research materials.
What Tutors WILL NOT do:
- Grade a student’s paper, or suggest a grade.
- Write a student’s paper.
- Rewrite any portions of a student’s paper.
- Assess the level of a student’s learning or understanding of the course material (tutors are writing specialists and may not be familiar with the content of a particular course).
- Provide assistance with take-home or distance exams without written permission from the instructor. (It is the student's responsibility to ensure they follow their instructor's guidelines, and the regulations and policies of the University.)