Writing Services – FAQs

In compliance with the Academic Integrity Policy, Writing Services does not provide proofreading/editing services.

We are here to empower you to learn to proofread and edit your writing on your own. We want you to think long term and build your writing skills so you can use them confidently through the rest of your career.

We help you learn how to develop your writing abilities.

Working with us will help you to:

• understand your individual writing process
• discover principles and strategies for effective writing
• implement new skills and strategies at different stages of your writing process
• ensure that your ideas are coming across clearly and are easy for your reader to follow

We will not write, edit, or proofread for you, but we will:

• talk with you to help you clarify your ideas
• support you in developing an outline
• give you feedback on your written drafts
• help you develop an argument
• assist you in structuring and organizing your writing
• help you plan out your next steps for your assignment
• provide online writing support resources

You will participate in a 50 minute, one-on-one session with one of our writing consultants.

In this session, the consultant will

• ask you questions about the paper you are writing
• ask you about the challenges you are experiencing
• answer any questions you have
• offer tailored suggestions for planning, writing, and revising your work

There are two important things to prepare and have ready before your appointment:

1. Have the assignment sheet and rubric provided by your instructor ready to share.

This helps us understand the instructor’s expectations and provide better guidance.

2. Have whatever ideas, notes, questions, or writing you have already completed ready to share.

This helps us understand:

• where you are at in the process
• what struggles you are experiencing
• what your needs are
• how we can offer you individualized support

We are happy to work with you at any stage of the process, so prepare to share whatever you have so far. It’s ok for you to simply ask: How do I start? What do I do now?

Writing Consultations are available in person. Students can book a session in advance or come during designated drop-in hours. Please see the booking instructions found on the Writing Consultation Sessions page.

Please note that if you do not attend the session after 10 minutes of its start time, the session will no longer be available, and you will need to book another one.

Don’t forget to have a copy of the assignment sheet, rubric and course outline (if applicable), as well as any notes, outlines, or drafts you have completed so far ready to share.

Writing Services is currently offering one-on-one Writing Consultation Sessions in person. Students can book a session in advance or come during designated drop-in hours.

For more information, as well as to view the booking instructions, please visit the Writing Consultation Sessions page.

Writing Services is free of charge for all Carleton community members (e.g. undergraduate, graduate, full-time, part-time, and special students).

No.

All writers benefit from talking about their writing at different stages and receiving suggestions on their writing from a critical reader. Even accomplished writers face difficulties in the writing process.

Writing Services assists students who are new to academic writing, as well as experienced writers.

Please note that in order to avoid Academic Integrity violations, questions about exams, including take-home exams, should be directed to your professor or teaching assistant.

Students that require assistance with resumes can visit Career Services. They provide expert help in many aspects of the job search process.

Graduate students can seek additional writing support from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs or their supervisors.

Currently all services are available in person. Students can book a session in advance or come during designated drop-in hours.

We offer asynchronous and in-person workshops that focus on different aspects of writing skills development. For more information, please visit the Online Resources page. We also work with faculty to help them support their students in all aspects of their writing.

We are staffed primarily by graduate TAs from a variety of departments at Carleton University. Consultants are given specific training on how to help other writers improve their writing. Our consultants know how to provide support and assistance that is encouraging and non-judgmental.

For more information, contact Writing Services by email at csas@carleton.ca.