About The University Writing Center

Mission

The University Writing Center has a dual mission. One goal is to provide individual and small-group literacy support to UCF students, faculty, and staff from first-year to graduate in every discipline. Our purpose is not merely to fix papers or to make better writers, but to teach writers strategies to understand and to navigate complex, situated literacies, both in and outside the University.

A second goal is to provide student consultants with a rich teaching and learning experience via ongoing education and professional development in writing center research, theory, and tutoring practice.

What are some goals of peer tutoring?

The UWC supports writing instruction provided by UCF professors across the disciplines. Individual and small-group consultations focus on helping you learn skills and thinking practices to advance your writing.

Consultants are trained to ask lots of questions about your writing. They help you understand complex assignments and situations for writing, brainstorm ideas, and determine next steps you can take to revise. Consultants also teach you strategies to correct your writing on your own.

Because peer tutoring centers on learning, not merely fixing papers, assistance in the UWC works best when you schedule a consultation in advance of your due date, so that you have time to act on what you learn and revise. To improve as a writer over time, schedule a regular appointment.

Make appointments, use resources, download helpful handouts, learn about UWC staff, and stay up-to-date on UWC News. Before visiting the UWC, review our policies.

How does the Writing Center operate?

• The UWC is for struggling and confident writers alike
• Writing consultants are trained undergraduate and graduate students
• Tutoring is available face-to-face and online
• We recommend that you schedule an appointment well before your due date
• Walk-ins are welcome, but not guaranteed
• Appointments are 30-45 minutes
• For long-term help, schedule a weekly consultation

What do consultants help you do?

• Understand assignment requirements and rhetorical situations
• Develop ideas
• Plan and organize writing
• Identify and address priorities for revision
• Learn to cite and document sources
• Practice strategies for proofreading and editing
• Learn to correct errors in grammar, punctuation, mechanics

What should you bring with you to a consultation?

• Your assignment instructions or guidelines for writing
• Your work at any stage of the writing process
• Your ideas and questions
• Your notes, outline, related reading, sources
• Specific learning goals you'd like to accomplish