AAC Writing Center

The AAC Writing Center helps Lawrence Tech undergraduate and graduate students become better writers. Writers at any stage in the writing process can work one-on-one with peer and faculty tutors in a welcoming environment. Whether brainstorming, drafting, revising, or editing, students will receive support and input that will help them become more confident and effective writers.

Writing tutoring is available on a daily walk-in basis in the AAC. Appointments are for 30 or 60 minutes, and students cannot exceed three hours per week of tutoring. Take a moment to review our writing tutoring guidelines, or some general "Do's and Don'ts" about writing tutoring.

Writing tutoring FAQs for students:

What should you bring?
Bring your assignment so that you and the tutor will understand what your instructor is asking you to do. If you are outside resources, bring the readings or web addresses; if not, bring your notes, paper outline, or even just a list of questions or brainstorming ideas. Remember, writing tutors can help you at any stage. In fact, the earlier in the writing process you come by, the the better able a tutor is to help you!

What is your role?
Come ready to assume an active role in the tutoring process. Writing tutors are not grammar checkers or editors; they will not "fix" your paper while you sit idly by. Our goal is to help you become a better writer, and we can do this when you are willing to participate: by explaining your concerns and asking questions, and by trying to answer the questions your tutor asks you.

What is the tutor's role?
Your tutor is a student and a writer just like you.  You can expect the tutor to ask questions about your paper in order to help you claify your ideas and identify strengths and weaknesses in your writing. The tutor will make suggestions but will not impose ideas on you or demand that you make a specific change. Remember, tutors are coahes and collaborators, not teachers. Tutors do not evaluate students in any way and can not replace your instructor for content knoweldge.

What are the goals?
Learning to write is a process, and it involves practice, experimentation, and risktaking on your part. The goal of writing tutoring is to guide and encourage you through this process, not to turn out a grammatically perfect paper that required no active learning on your part. We want you to become an accomplished, confident writer.

Resources for writers
The writing center at the AAC has many resources available to writers, including style guides for MLA, APA, Chicago and others. We also have workbooks and manual on grammar and mechanics. We have most of the literary texts used in the Humanities courses offered at Lawrence Tech, and we can loan these boaks to you if you need them.

Check out the AAC writing resources page for downloadable handouts and links to various online writing resources pages.

Have a question or suggestion? Contact us! aac@ltu.edu or 248-204-4120.