| The Writing Center’s Fall 2012 ScheduleDuring fall and spring semesters, The Writing Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm (most days). We follow BCC’s class schedule (we close during breaks and when the campus is closed due to weather or other emergencies). We offer limited hours during summer sessions. Welcome to the Writing Center A Writing Center Session The Writing Center's professional tutors are eager to help students in any course, regardless of their level of experience, expertise or confidence as writers. The Writing Center is now located in the L-104. In tutorial sessions, tutors talk with students about their writing; we ask questions that help writers see their texts through the audience’s eyes and encourage them to explore options for drafting and revising their texts. Students often seek help with thesis statements, organization, development, citation of sources, development of proofreading strategies, and other concerns. Writing Center tutors work by appointment with students individually or in small groups (tutors facilitate these group sessions of 2-3 students). To schedule appointments, students can come to L-104 or call (778-5632 or 778-5038). Limited online tutorial feedback is offered for students who are enrolled exclusively in online courses or for students who cannot come to the Writing Center during our business hours. If you have any questions, contact Michael Grubb (X5363; grubbmr@sunybroome.edu). Matt’s Big PlanMATT’S BIG PLAN: Write essay the day it’s due.
Writing “Myth” of the Week“Myth: Only bad writers need feedback. ____________________________________________________________ (Feb. 3) “Never end a sentence with a preposition.” This “myth” causes trouble because many of the words that are prepositions–on, off, over, up, down, etc.–also fall into a class of words called “particle-words” or “particles.” Particles are words that are actually part of the verb. It is normal, but not necessary, for particles to appear at the ends of clauses or sentences. Take, for example, the “off” in “Please turn off the lights,” and “Please turn the lights off.” The “off” in these examples is not a preposition but a particle-word. The particle in this example can be placed before or after “the lights.” Another example, the “over” in “I’ll think it over,” is not so easily moved away from the end of the sentence. A writer who thinks that words like up, down, over, on, off are always prepositions can go crazy trying to figure out how to avoid using them at the end of the sentence. So the real myth here is not that you shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition, but that the words we think of as prepositions are always prepositions. How We WorkBecause we write to communicate, every writer needs a reader! At the most basic level we write to express our ideas, to share them with others. As Nigel Hamilton so aptly noted, “If the reader doesn’t understand what you’re saying, you’re talking to yourself.” Writers publish to communicate. So the writer’s biggest fear is being unclear. This is where the Writing Center comes in. A writing tutor is a live audience member, one who gives instant feedback on the clarity and presentation and development of ideas. Tutors ask questions. They play Devil’s Advocate. Their comments model the questions students should ask of their own writing in the future. Together they develop strategies they might use to address those questions. Professional writers seek feedback and revise. Student writers should do the same. All writers learn as they write: they learn about their topic, they learn about themselves, and they learn about their relationship with their audience. Writing tutors illuminate these processes and help writers bring their words more fully to life. From beginning students struggling to express themselves to advanced writers seeking confirmation of the power of their words, all will find that the Writing Center tutors provide a supportive audience in helping them achieve their goals. FOR ONLINE STUDENTS ONLY…
APA?Using APA? Confused? Some of the best resources for APA: The Basics of APA Style tutorial: http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm Purdue’s OWL: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ ; their APA workshop is at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/664/01/ BCC’s APA handout: http://www.sunybroome.edu/library/guides/APA.pdf We have a copy of the APA 6th Edition in the Writing Center, as well as updated handouts. | | ||
Don’t have time to come into the Writing Center during business hours?