These are some of the most frequently asked questions that we encounter. Click one of the questions below to jump to its answer.

Who is the Center for Reading and Writing for?

All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to visit us for a consultation, no matter their background or level of expertise. Students can bring in papers from any course in any discipline. We also serve the community, but please be aware that we must give priority to our students.

How much does it cost?

Our funding comes from the college, so you pay for our services with tuition and lab fees. No additional fees apply. Because of this, we have to limit printing to your original writing (not articles or websites) and writing consultation to a maximum of two sessions per day.

Where are you located?

We are located in the Learning Center (Academic Building, Room 200) to the left of the open use computers.

What are your hours?

Our current hours of operation are posted on the home page of the Center for Reading and Writing website.

Do I need an appointment?

Appointments are not required, but if you’d like to make sure you get in, especially with a preferred consultant, you can make an appointment.

What if I am late for an appointment?

Your scheduled writing consultant will wait for five minutes before considering you a no-show. If another client is waiting, then the consultant will begin working with him or her.

Be careful not to miss too many appointments! If this becomes a problem, you will not be able to schedule any more with us for the remainder of the semester. You are always welcome to drop in, but there may be a wait time, so you definitely do not want to lose this privilege.

Do I have to sign in?

If you have not scheduled an appointment, we will help you register your session.

How long does it take?

A typical help session time varies. we set appointment time slots for an hour, but the time may be shorter if the whole hour is not needed.. An hour is usually enough time to answer specific questions, identify any recurring problems, and formulate a plan for addressing these issues. Our goal is not to "fix" your paper but to strengthen your skills as a writer.

What should I bring?

If you plan to get help on a particular assignment or writing project, be sure to bring any pertinent information that you have: its description, instructions, grading rubric, etc. If you have already started writing the paper, be ready with a printed copy of what you have so far.

Will you edit my paper for me?

We focus on identifying writing issues, and will not "take over" your paper. If we merely edit, then part of your work is ours.   Be prepared to interact with us and then avail yourself of our printed and web resources to hammer out what we show you.  If you can conquer one or two things, then we all have succeeded.

Can I just work on a computer?

Because we have limited space in the Center for Reading and Writing, you should use one of the open-use computers in the Learning Center, and then bring specific questions to our consultants.

How do I print?

If you need to print out some of your writing in order to sit down with a writing consultant and look over it, you can do this for free here. For your other printing needs, however, you should use the open computer lab in the Learning Center or in the Library.

How can I improve my writing skills on my own?

Read, read, read! Write, write, write!

Reading gives writers a better feel for how other people use words and formulate arguments. It can also be a good reminder of how readers engage with and respond to other people's writings. Every paper you write gives more writing experience and strengthens your abilities. Graded essays and feedback from instructors can be a valuable resource to help improve writing skills. In addition to simple practice, you can also improve your skills by checking out our various reference materials: books, handouts, and a web resources page full of links organized by writing issues.

Can you help me with something on the computer?

While we are by no means technology wizards, we do offer basic computer assistance as needed. For example, we can help you adjust your document to meet your instructor's formatting requirements.

Will my consultant know enough about my subject?

Our writing consultants have varied backgrounds and fields of expertise, but each is qualified to help you improve your skills as a writer. As for what you write, that is up to you. We want to help you communicate your message; we do not want to change it.

Can I work with the same writing consultant every time?

Feel free to work with your favorite consultant, yet we encourage our clients to work with a variety of writing consultants. Each one is qualified and brings their unique perspective to the table.

Can you help with creative writing?

Sure! Just remember that creative writing is much more subjective and loose than academic writing, so you need to be very clear about the kind of assistance you need.

Can you help with non-academic writing?

Certainly! We encourage outside-of-class writing projects and are happy to work with any type of writing you bring in, such as college applications and resumes.

I really need to work on grammar. Can you help me with this?

The Center for Reading and Writing is not an editing service, but a component of your education. During a writing consultation, consultants point out writing issues and discuss how to resolve them. We help sharpen the tools, but you do the work.

English is not my first language. Can you help me?

Of course! Several of our consultants can engage in other languages for clarity, but our tutors are primarily qualified to help with writing in English. For ESOL matters, please contact Languages and ESOL Support.

I'm pretty confident about my writing. What can I get out of a consultation?

All writers can benefit from reader feedback. In fact, most accomplished and professional writers regularly show their work to others in order to improve it. The Center for Reading and Writing can be a source for any writer's continued improvement.

Will my instructor know about my visit?

If your instructor has requested regular attendance records from us, they will know about your visit but no details about what you worked on. If your instructor requests some other kind of "proof" of attendance, you can ask for your paper to be stamped by your consultant.

I am an instructor. What should I tell my students?

Please point your class to this website for general information about our services. If you would like to discuss a writing assignment or a plan for coordinated workshops with your class, contact Tara Edwards at Tara.L.Edwards@LoneStar.edu .

Remember that consultants will work with your students to improve ideas and clarity in a piece of writing, but will not edit or mark documents and cannot ensure a “perfect” final product.