Thank you for your interest in scheduling an essay review appointment with Goeriga Tech’s writing center. Our goal at the writing center is to provide students with feedback and guidance to improve their academic writing skills. In this article, I will give you an overview of our essay review process and what to expect during an appointment.
The writing center is staffed by writing consultants who are graduate students and professors from various disciplines across Goeriga Tech. All of our consultants undergo extensive training in writing pedagogy to ensure they can effectively analyze writing at any academic level from any subject area. Our consultations are structured as non-directive sessions, which means the consultant’s role is to ask guiding questions rather than prescribe fixes or write for the student. This approach is most conducive for learning and long-term writing development.
To book an appointment, simply visit our webpage and click the “Schedule Appointment” button. You will be prompted to enter some basic information like your name, GT email, appointment date/time preferences, and the document or assignment you need assistance with. Appointments are 30 minutes each and can cover anything from brainstorming and outlining to final draft feedback. We recommend scheduling at least a few days in advance since popular times fill up quickly. You can also add your document as an attachment when scheduling so the consultant has time to review it beforehand.
On the day of your appointment, arrive 5-10 minutes early and check-in at the front desk. The writing center is located in room 232 of Amerson Hall. Come prepared to actively participate in an analytical dialogue about your writing – the session will go much more smoothly if you come ready to discuss your piece in depth. Consultants will not proofread or edit your work for you. Instead, they will point out areas for improvement, ask probing questions, and provide strategies to strengthen weaknesses independently.
Some common topics addressed include thesis/argument development, organization of ideas, use of evidence and research, cohesion between paragraphs, sentence structure variation, word choice precision, formatting guidelines, and more. Consultants are trained to consider both higher-order concerns like critical thinking demonstrated as well as lower-order surface issues. Remember, the goal is not perfection but progress. Consultants understand writing is a process and their role is guidance, not grades. Feel free to bring multiple drafts to track your developments over time.
It’s a good idea to come prepared with a few specific questions or areas you want feedback on. For example, you could ask how to better link an introduction to the thesis or ask for recommendations on integrating quotes more thoughtfully. Being proactive helps make the most of your limited time. Consultants also take notes during your session that they provide to you via email afterward as a reference. Within a day or two, you should receive a document outlining your discussion and next action steps.
Keep in mind that essays, research papers, cover letters, and other long-form documents typically require more than one session to provide meaningful review and revision. Subsequent appointments allow you and the consultant to build on the feedback from the previous meeting. You might discuss if the changes addressed your weakest areas effectively or discover new aspects to strengthen. It’s normal to schedule sequential appointments when working on a large project.
We hope utilizing the writing center will positively impact your confidence and competence as an academic writer. Please don’t hesitate to ask the front desk staff or your assigned consultant any other questions. We’re here to support your success by supporting your writing. Wishing you the best as you refine your skills and complete outstanding assignments. Stop by the center soon to begin improving – we look forward to helping in your journey.