Writing Center

Want to be a stronger writer? A better reader?

The Writing Center is offering virtual and in-person appointments!

Use Navigate Student to schedule appointments with a Writing Center consultant: https://www.upb.pitt.edu/how-make-appointment

Our remote appointments are Tuesdays between 5 PM and 7 PM with Karen Bell. If you are interested in meeting via Zoom, please schedule for one of these times. If the day and time does not work with your schedule, please email Catherine Kula (ckula@pitt.edu) to find a day and time to meet via Zoom.

All other appointments listed on the schedule are in-person (250 Hanley).

“Why should I make an appointment with the Writing Center?”

To work on your writing skills and processes and enhance your critical thinking skills
To develop new writing and reading strategies
To become more confident in your writing
To have a second set of eyes read your work
To talk about your work in a constructive manner in a safe, professional setting

Appointments are usually 30-minutes, but if needed, students may schedule two back-to-back appointments for an hour. This semester, we are also offering 60-minute appointments on Fridays.

At the time of your appointment, please have the following:

the prompt/assignment (via Canvas or a printed copy)
a printed copy of your draft (if that’s where you’re at in the writing process!)
your laptop (to follow along with the consultant)
questions about the assignment and/or your draft
an open mind and good attitude

Questions? Email Catherine Kula ckula@pitt.edu

Write On!

Located on the second floor of the Hanley Library, the Writing Center has experienced faculty consultants available to help student writers of all levels and abilities at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming and drafting to revision, editing, formatting, and achieving stylistic punch and sophistication. Common areas of focus include thesis statements, essay organization, word choice, recognizing pattern errors in grammar and punctuation, evaluating and using sources, managing in-text citations, and critical reading skills.

Your consultant will help you analyze, among other things

Thesis
Content
Focus
Organization and Structure
Citations and References
Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling
Word choice, etc.

Working with students who are English language learners	The Writing Center has useful articles on working effectively with students whose first language is a language other than English. Addressing the Learning Needs of Speakers of English as a Second Language written by Writing Center consultant and ESL specialist, Gary Tessmer is a good place to start.
Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing	For a great resource about helping college students improve their writing, please check out the Council of Writing Program Administrator's "Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing."
Sloan-C's video on course and syllabus design	View the Sloan Consortium's informative video on creating strong course goals, learning objectives, and assessments.
Vertical Writing Model	Takes you to the Vertical Writing Model of the Writing Across the Curriculum program at Appalachian State University. This model, which tracks skills students will master through each of their four years, "was designed to give students continued support for writing during their careers at Appalachian, with writing experience each year, and a structure to archive writing for both students and the university."