Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Writing Center?

You can find the Writing Center (formerly the Humanities Resource Room) in Room 103, which is between the English and History hallways at the front of the school.

What is the Writing Center?

The Writing Center is not a place full of people who will simply edit drafts of English essays. The Writing Center is a place to go for help at any stage of the writing process for any written task you have (in any subject!). The Writing Center has a staff of tutors who are willing to help you brainstorm and organize your ideas, turn them into a cohesive work, and format them correctly. It doesn't matter whether you've finished, started, or just gotten the assignment. It is also a place where you can work on writing assignments in a quiet atmosphere.

How do I sign up for a session?

We have a handy-dandy link right on the side of the page that will take you to a form you can fill out to sign up for a session. You can sign up for a slot during a study hall, lunch, or before/after school. In the form, you can tell us what you want to work on, and you can note if you would like to work with a certain tutor (although that tutor may not be free for your preferred time). You can also set up future appointments at the end of a tutoring session or in person at the Writing Center.

Do I need an appointment to go?

If you want to work with a tutor, we welcome walk-ins, but tutors may not always be available.

What should I expect in a session?

-If you have a finished draft: Writing tutors are not proofreaders. We are not going to dig through your paper draft to attack grammatical or spelling mistakes with red pens. We are not going to look at your paper at all, in fact (unless you need help with formatting). Instead, you get to read your paper to a tutor out loud, and then you can have a conversation with the tutor about what is and isn't effective in the draft. The tutor will write notes on a separate sheet of paper, never touching yours. As for what you do after the session, the tutor won't tell you what you that must do anything. Ultimately, the choices you make with your paper are yours.

-If you do not have a finished draft: It is best to come to the Writing Center before you have a finished draft. Writing tutors will help you go over your assignment and break it down into manageable pieces, and we will help you brainstorm ideas to help you get started. If you have an outline, we can have a conversation about it, and if you don't have an outline, we can show you how to make one. Then, you can schedule subsequent sessions to go over partial and full drafts, and you will get commentary all along the way. This is the way to make your Writing Center experience the most effective, so next time you get a writing assignment, try to start early!

Can you help me with research and formatting?

Of course! We can help you learn to navigate the databases available to Amity, and we can help you with formatting your paper. Just fill out that you want to wok and research and/or formatting on the form when you sign up, and tell your tutor at the beginning of the session.

What if I really need help with grammar?

We are not copy-editors. However, if you specifically need help with grammar, we can show you how to use helpful resources like writing handbooks and style guides that will give you what you need.

My paper is due on Turnitin at 11:59 p.m., but I finished it at 8:00 p.m. Can I e-mail it to the Writing Center e-mail or to one of the tutors directly to look over it and leave some comments in Word or GoogleDocs? 

Sorry. Our tutoring process doesn't work online--we need to meet face-to-face with writers.

I heard English is the only course where you need to pass all four years to graduate, so I need to get a good grade on this important paper. Will you help me get an A?

Our goal at the Writing Center is to help you improve your writing, not to get you a good grade. Hopefully, going to the Writing Center will help you improve your grade, but that will be the result of your improving as a writer. Your grade is all you.

I went to the Writing Center, and I absolutely loved it! How can I become a tutor?

When you sign up for next year's courses, sign up for Writer's Workshop: Peer Tutor Training. All tutors have to take this semester-long English elective in order to become trained tutors in the Writing Center. Ms. Wentworth teaches it, and it is a great course! Being a tutor is a great job as well!