Writing Help
Students may get help with any writing assignment for any class. The Writing Tutor offers assistance at all stages of the writing process. Many students also bring graded essays to the tutor for an explanation of the instructor’s comments and markings. Because The Writing Tutor gives students the tools to successfully and efficiently write and edit their own essays, a tutorial is a learning experience and not a proofreading service.
Hours of Operation and Location
An updated tutor schedule can be found at http://www.my.calendars.net/octutors under Writing Help. This calendar is subject to daily changes. Students can find the Writing Tutor in room 572 of the Oconee library or at the Information Help Desk.
Appointments
Students may make appointments using the Oconee Writing Tutor Conferences Calendar. Just click on the desired day, then select New. Fill in the required fields keeping in mind that conferences will be 30 minutes long. Click OK. The Writing Tutor will receive the Appointment Request and will accept or decline it. If the appointment request is declined, the tutor will suggest an alternative time via GSC email. Even though signing up for an appointment is the preferred method, students are always welcome to drop-in without a scheduled conference.
What Students Should Bring to a Tutoring Session*:
- Draft of the essay in progress
- Essay assignment handout
- Specific questions about the draft or assignment
- Any texts or sources used in essay
- Previously graded essays from the class
*These items are suggested for a more effective tutorial but not mandatory.
Meet the Tutor
Jonathan Barefield is the full-time writing tutor for the Oconee campus. He has a Master's in English Language and Literature from Central Michigan University and several years of experience working in writing centers. In addition to tutoring, Jonathan is teaching a section of ENGL 1101 during the 2013 spring semester.
Elizabeth Davenport is the part-time writing tutor at the Oconee campus. She received her B.A. in Spanish and English from Wofford College, and she has a Master’s in Teaching Additional Languages from UGA. Elizabeth worked as a Spanish and Reading teacher for several years and has tutored in various subjects since graduation.
Helpful Links for Writing
Rules for Writers
This website corresponds to the much-used writing guide by the same name and houses several writing, grammar, and research exercises and activities. Take the quizzes to test your knowledge.
Activities for ESL (English as Second Language) students
This site, sponsored by the Internet TESL Journal, provides quizzes, tests, exercises, and puzzles submitted by ESL teachers.
Guide to Grammar and Writing
This site includes comprehensive coverage of everything from punctuation to research using clear examples and detailed explanations. It also includes quizzes on various grammar and writing issues.
Grammar Exercises
This site includes detailed definitions of common grammar terms, interactive exercises, helpful handouts, and fast tips and rules to understanding all those difficult grammatical nuances.
Learning Support for English Online Tutorial
This site is used by the ENGL 0099 teachers here at GSC Oconee to reinforce the rules of The Catfish Grammar: A Guide to Grammar and Composition.
Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab
This site has a wide variety of exercises—from the casual writer to the academic—which provide audio files for listening and quizzes to assess comprehension for those who speak English as a second language.
Helpful Handouts for Writing
Transitional Expressions
This handout offers writers a list of transitions to use in between thoughts, sentences, and paragraphs. The words are organized according to purpose.
Introduction Strategies
Use one of these strategies to introduce your essay. Mimic the examples given.
Concluding Strategies
Use one of these strategies to conclude your essay.
Comma Rules
The extensive comma rule list with exemplary uses and misuses.
Essay Thumbnail Sketch
Use this form to begin organizing your essay. The thumbnail sketch works as an outline but includes topic sentences and paragraph hooks (transitions between paragraphs).
Traditional Essay Diagram
Use this diagram as a guide when writing a basic or traditional five-paragraph essay.