Writing at Keyano College

The Writing Centre is pleased to offer Writing tutoring daily this term. Please feel free to drop in or make an appointment (writing@keyano.ca) for individualized assistance.

Winter 2010 Tutoring Schedule

Mondays & Wednesdays: 8:30am-10:30am
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 8:30am-3:30pm
Fridays: 8:30am-4:30pm

Keyano College Writing Centre ~ Frequently Asked Questions:

This handout has been created by answering questions that are frequently asked (FAQs) at Writing Centres.

How do I make an appointment for tutoring and where is the Writing Centre located?
You can make an appointment by emailing the Writing Centre (writing@keyano.ca) or by calling 792-5610. The Writing Centre is located in the SKILL Centre (Clearwater Campus). Please note that appointments are not necessary - we welcome drop-ins as well!

What should I bring to a tutorial session?
An appointment will be more successful if you:
a. Bring the assignment instructions

b. Have a legible (if possible, double spaced) document

c. If possible, bring along copies of past writing work

Should I make an appointment?
It is best to schedule an appointment; however, drop-in appointments are often available and you are welcome to visit the Writing Centre to find out more. Email writing@keyano.ca for more information.

What happens during a tutorial session?
The Writing Centre has three basic techniques to assist students:

1. Identification of writing strengths and weaknesses
2. Explanation of writing tools
3. Examples of correct writing techniques (which includes providing writing resources)

The goals of the Writing Centre are to help you with:
· Increased confidence in writing
· Avoiding plagiarism
· Referencing properly
· Grammar assistance
. Sentence Structure
. Verb Agreement
. Punctuation
· Exam Writing tips


Using effective essay writing tools:
o Understanding the assignment instructions
o Narrowing down the topic
o Establishing a thesis
o Brainstorming
o The Outline
o Research
o Writing
o Revision

Ultimately, the goal of the Writing Centre is to help you become a more effective writer.


What can (and what can't) a tutor do?
Services Provided
We will assess your needs
We will ask specific questions
We will engage you in the process
We will explain the problem
If the mistake has already been explained, we will ask you for the correction
We will try explaining the solution in a different way
We will focus on one or two problems per session
We will use other resources (dictionaries, handouts, resource books) to help you
We will inform you about how you can get and use resources
We will show you how to reference (MLA, APA) correctly
We will give you things to work on (homework) after the session
We will help you understand grammatical tools
We will read your text with you
We will require you to complete your own work
If an oral explanation is not enough, we will write out important points and give visual illustrations


Services Not Provided
We will not proofread or edit your paper
We will not necessarily see your whole assignment in one session
We will not give you "the answers"*
We will not look at the same work twice

*(We will ask you questions to help you develop your own answers)

N.B.: You can choose to focus on a specific writing issue of your choice even when the tutor recommends working on another concern of your paper. In this case, the tutor will emphasize the importance of examining the writing issue before continuing on with the session.

When should I visit the Writing Centre?
We can help you from the moment you get your assignment instructions to the final stages of formatting your paper. The more frequently you visit, the more effective you will become as a writer.

Labels: FAQ, Help, Tutoring Schedule