The Writing Center
3110 Coleman Hall
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 581-5929
Hours: M-Th: 9-3 & 6-9; F: 9-1
For Students
We are open to help any student from any major at any stage of his or her writing process. Our system of one-to-one consulting sessions demonstrates our value and respect for individual writers, all of whom can benefit from feedback about their works in progress.
What to Bring to a Writing Conference
When you come for a conference in the writing center, be sure to bring these items:
The instructor’s writing assignment or writing prompt
A printed copy of the paper or your laptop or a flash drive with your work in progress on it
Questions and ideas
What You Can Expect in a Writing Conference
During a one-on-one conference, here is what you should expect during the session:
We will offer a stress-free and open environment whatever your major or class level, at any stage of the writing process
The conference will promote thinking about your documents-in-progress from a reader’s perspective
Consultants will ask questions that prompt you to think about how to refine and support your ideas
Consultants will suggest strategies to help you efficiently and effectively revise and edit your own work
What We Do Not Do in a Writing Conference
During a one-to-one conference, consultants will not do these:
Act as a proofreader
Write the paper for you
Get angry with you
Edit or “correct” the whole paper
Why You Should Come in Early for Your Writing Conference
Even though your writing project might not be due for a while, it’s best to come in early for these reasons:
If you come in early with your writing assignment and ideas, our consultants can help you understand and analyze the writing assignment
If you come in early, we can help you brainstorm ideas
If you schedule an appointment early, your conference with a writing center assistant can act as a mini-deadline to keep you on task and motivated
If you come in early, you can assure yourself a spot in the Writing Center’s busy schedule (this is especially important during peak times, such as mid-term and near the end of the semester).
