Student Services
What can I expect at the Writing Centre?
You receive free, one-on-one tutoring at any phase of the writing process to help you to understand how to strengthen your writing to become a better writer. Our services are available for all Saint Mary’s University students (undergraduate, graduate; part-time, fulltime) as well as alumni. The centre’s tutors will work with you to determine a direction for your paper, how to strengthen your thesis statement, how to identify reoccurring grammatical errors or structural problems, or how to develop a lab report, for example. If you don't know where you are going wrong with your writing, we can help with this, too.
What I should not expect during a tutorial?
The purpose of a tutoring session is to improve your writing skills and to become a better writer. Therefore, the Writing Centre does not proofread or edit papers. In addition, we do not comment on the content. We do not offer suggested grades a paper may or may not receive. However, the more prepared you are for a tutorial, the more we can help you to convey your ideas clearly in your writing.
What should I bring with me to a tutorial?
Bring your student card, the assignment instructions, and a hardcopy of the writing you want to examine. We will not work on electronic versions of the document. Any notes or previous, marked assignments will also facilitate the tutor’s understanding of your specific needs. In addition, thinking about the appointment ahead of time and determining what questions you want to ask or specific areas that you feel need improvement will maximize the time you have with the tutor. It is also very helpful if you bring a marked paper. This way we can better recognize issues and problems in your writing.
How long do tutorials last?
A drop-in appointment is 20 minutes and a scheduled appointment 50 minutes.
How do I sign-up?
Go to rich37.com/smu to register and book appointments online. You can also call the Writing Centre (491-6202), send us an email (writing@smu.ca), or drop by the office (Burke 115). You can also contact us on the centre's Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Online: www.rich37.com/smu
Phone: (902) 491-6202
E-mail: writing@smu.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/SMUWritingCentre
Twitter: @SMUWritCentre
When can I come by?
Our office in Burke 115 is open Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
We are also in the Atrium from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Monday to Thursday.
What else does the Writing Centre offer?
We have extensive online resources, weekly workshops, guides and handouts, as well as annual events, such as the Scrabble Smackdown, for the Saint Mary’s community. For more academic help and information, you can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
This page last modified Friday, 27-Jan-2012 16:37:58 AST