Writing & Reading Tutorials

All UWSP students can receive FREE writing, reading, and study strategies tutorials at the Tutoring-Learning Center.

One on one tutorials help with the following:
· Papers for Freshman English
· Papers for university courses
· Challenging course readings
 · Planning and writing for essay exams
 · Lab reports
 · Resumes
 · Research papers
 · Personal statements

To sign up for a tutorial, call 346-3568 or just stop in at the TLC in the basement of the University Library Building, LRC room 018.

You may be able to see a tutor without an appointment, but it’s best to call ahead for help with specific courses.

Regular hours:
9:30 - 4:00 Monday - Thursday
9:30 - 12:00 Fridays

What is a Writing & Reading Tutorial?

Help with Reading Assignments

Help with Writing Assignments

Help with Assignments in English 102

Help with Career Searches & Writing Resumes

Become a Reading/Writing Tutor

 

What is a Writing & Reading Tutorial?

In a reading & writing tutorial, you receive one-to-one help from a trained tutor with the reading & writing that you are doing for university classes. The sessions last 30 minutes each & take place in the TLC during the hours that we are open. You can come one time only or multiple times throughout the semester. The decision is yours. The approach & tone in the tutorials is collaborative & relaxed.

The tutor is a fellow UWSP student who has had successful experience in university reading & writing & received a faculty recommendation to become a tutor. In addition, reading & writing tutors are required to take a semester-long, three-credit Tutor Practicum course designed to help them help you. Your tutor is not a teacher nor an authority figure but rather your peer. Tutors know how to collaborate with you in dealing with reading assignments in your courses & in completing the papers you must write. The tutor does not do the work for you but will offer you guidance so that you can do the work more effectively.

Help with Reading Assignments

Together you & your tutor:

  • Will determine where you are having reading difficulties. Our approach is to consider each class individually, rather than just talking about reading in general. For example, most students find that they may be reading successfully in a number of classes, but having problems in only one or two.

  • Figure out what’s working well & what’s not in your attempts to read for this class.

  • Decide on some strategies or practices that will help you in this particular class.

Help with Writing Assignments

When you come to a tutorial, you can do any or all of these things:

  • Discuss the readings for the course & possible ways to interpret the assignment.

  • Bring your preliminary ideas & notes for the assignment & talk them through with the tutor. Doing so can help you clarify & focus your ides.

  • Bring a draft of your paper—no matter how rough—& talk it over. The tutor can comment on which sections are clearly explained & which may need more explanation & support.

  • Bring in your paper in its final stages & ask your tutor to comment on particular sections that just aren’t working for you; these might be paragraphs, sentences, or word choices about which you have some doubts.

  • Bring your all-but-completed paper. The tutor can give you some techniques for editing & proofreading.

Help with Assignments in English 102

You can get advice and guidance in a number of ways. A tutor will help you—

  • Brainstorm a topic, narrow it, and focus on it.

  • Evaluate your sources, both internet sources and the traditional print sources.

  • Integrate your quotations and work through your paraphrasing and summarizing (and help avoiding inadvertent plagiarism).

  • Interpret handbook rules on such things as quotation punctuation, in-text citations, and work cited or reference lists.

The tutor may also help you—

  • With library searches, both on the computer and within the library.

  • By giving tips on how to approach difficult reading because of specialized vocabulary or style.

  • By offering comments or suggestions as you draft the paper, organize it, develop your ideas, and refine your sentences.

Help with Career Searches and Writing Résumés

When you come to a tutorial, you can do any or all of these things:

  • Discuss possible ways to interpret a job posting.

  • Bring your preliminary ideas and notes for your résumé and talk them through with the tutor. Doing so can help you clarify and focus your ideas.

  • Bring drafts of your résumé and cover letter—no matter how rough—and talk them over. The tutor can suggest ways you can expand and focus your drafts.

  • Bring in your résumé and cover letter in their final stages and ask your tutor to comment on particular sections that just aren’t working for you; these might be paragraphs, sentences, items, or word choices about which you have some doubts.

  • Bring your all-but-completed résumé or cover letter. The tutor can suggest some techniques for editing and proofreading.