Writing Center
The Washington College Writing Center Online
After long habit, to begin the act of writing is to invite the very flow of ideas, which, until the words are visibly in order, may have seen stubbornly elusive.
—Paul Horgan
At the Writing Center, full-time writing instructors and experienced peer writing consultants offer individual conferences and workshops that foster a writer's objectivity, sense of audience, and critical thinking - habits of the mind best cultivated through thoughtful interaction between reader and writer. Any member of the academic community wishing to sharpen expository writing skills can contact the Center to set up a conference.
The Writing Center, located in Goldstein 106, is open Monday through Friday from 9:00-5:00. Watch for additional announcements about evening hours.
To schedule a conference, drop by the Writing Center or call at 410-810-7417.
More About Our Writing Center
The ability to write clearly and concisely is essential to your professional success in any field. Washington College encourages students to master the art of written expression and offers the Writing Center as a valuable academic resource to help you achieve that goal.
Who Uses The Writing Center?
The Center is available to any member of the campus community engaged in a writing project. From First-Year students enrolled in the Community, Nation, and World (CNW) seminars to seniors engaged in independent research projects, all students may schedule conferences to elicit the response of a skilled, careful reader.
The Writing Center is flexible enough to meet the needs of an inexperienced writer seeking to meet the demands of college writing as well as those of a proficient writer wishing to become more accomplished. Response is tailored to individual needs. The instructors and peer consultants work with students on every phase of the writing process, from formulating a thesis to editing a draft. In a supportive, non-evaluative atmosphere, writers learn to analyze an assignment, narrow and focus a topic, organize and expand ideas, begin and conclude with authority, move smoothly from point to point, look critically at sentence structure and diction, revise, and edit.
Students' Responses to The Writing Center
"During the four years I spent at Washington College, the Writing Center turned out to be the most valuable 'class' I attended as it helped me to become a better writer, which in turn made me a better student."
"The instructor took the time to absorb herself in my paper topics, understand my inner thoughts, and clear up problems by questioning intentions, rather than telling me I was 'wrong' and giving me the answer."
"Writing conferences helped me generate ideas and rearrange my thoughts. Explaining my ideas to another person made me see my argument from another perspective."
"The Center provided advice for my specific problems, such as how I could go about narrowing my focus or tying two ideas together."
"As we went over the paper, . . . the questions helped me to clarify my own thoughts, both on the paper and to myself. When I left I felt inspired to continue."
"I think the Writing Center was a big help in preparing me for writing at the graduate level."
"I progressed from being an average writer to an honors thesis achiever. The Writing Center assisted me in gaining the ability to express myself in writing, and it allowed me to achieve the confidence necessary to excel as both a thinker and a writer."
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300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782