Make the Most of Your Conference

First time making an appointment at the Writing Center? We can't wait to meet you!

Please keep the appointment.
Sometimes writers cancel appointments because they don't feel "ready" or don't have a complete draft. We can help! In fact, having a conference earlier on can often make the entire writing process more efficient.

Share the prompt, the texts, and any writing that you've done so far.
Messy notes, post-its, sketches, outlines written on napkins--we've seen it all. Upload whatever you've written so far as an attachment to the appointment so that the tutor can take a look. During the appointment, be ready to share the assignment and texts. The tutor might revisit them with you during the conference to make sure that you're on track.

Be open to the experience.
Lots of people feel nervous when showing their writing to others. Even your tutor feels that way. That's why we structure our conferences as a friendly conversation between peers.

The tutor asks questions, listens, gives suggestions, and teaches you strategies for planning, organizing, drafting, and revising. The more that you participate in the conference, the more you'll learn. We hope you'll not only have better control over the shape and content of your final draft, but also learn strategies to make writing your next paper easier.

Help us help you.
Reflect on what you'd like to achieve during the conference and communicate it to your tutor. If you're unsure what you want to work on, that's okay--the tutor can suggest some potential goals for you to choose from.

Also, feel free to share your learning style, preferences, or challenges. The more we know about you as a writer and thinker, the better we can serve you.