For information about tutoring services and options, please click here.
Tutoring Options and Services
Hours: Mon-Thurs. 10-5
Visit appointment page for submission guidelines
Short how-to videos:
How to Make an Account How to Make an Appointment
Tutoring Options and Services
Information about Tutoring Services:
Tutoring is being conducted all online for the time being. We have two tutoring options available:
E-tutoring: Asynchronous tutoring. Upload a plain Word document to your appointment (no pdfs please) or provide a sharable with link Google link. The tutor will retrieve your paper at your appointment time. They will use the comment feature to provide feedback on your paper. When they are finished, they will re-upload your paper to your appointment block if you've attached a Word doc, or if you've provided a Google link, you can view your feedback after your appointment is finished.
Live Online Tutoring: Synchronous. You will need to upload a Word document so the tutor can put this into our shareable viewing platform. When your appointment time arrives, re-open your appointment block and click "Join session." There, you'll be able to talk live with your tutor and receive feedback on your paper.
Information about Uploading Word or Google Docs
The Writing Center is working remotely to provide e-tutoring services only at this point. (E-tutoring is asynchronous, meaning you won't be able to "talk" live with a tutor. You'll only receive feedback using the comment functions in Word or Google docs. However, you can leave them questions in your paper if you want to.) If you would like your paper tutored, please do the following:
- Make an account if you don’t have one. There is a short, 1 minute video “How to make an account.”
- Make an appointment, there is a short, 1-minute video on "How to make an appointment."
Two document options: Word or a Google Doc
Word option:
- Upload a Word document only, using the "Browse file" option at the bottom of your appointment screen. (No PDF’s or PowerPoints. They don't work for this option.)
- When the tutor is finished providing feedback on your paper using Word comments, they will re-upload your paper to your appointment where you can retrieve it after your appointment time.
- Open your appointment, scroll to the bottom of your appointment page, and you should see another paper attached called "tutored." That's the paper your tutor uploaded with their feedback.
Google Doc option:
- Or, you can provide a "Sharable with link" to your Google doc on your appointment form, and make sure you provide a "Sharable link, for anyone who has the link" from the "Shared files" option on the Google docs page so the tutor is able to open it. You can provide the Google link on the last question on the page. Tutors can also tutor PowerPoints through Google docs as well. Here is a quick You-Tube video that shows how to do that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKSgTTPbRBE
- If you use Google docs, you should be able to see the tutor's comments from your Google doc page.
In order to provide as much time as possible for each paper, tutors are not emailing papers. Please check your appointment or Google doc sheet for your paper and feedback. Thank you.
If you have questions, email us at flint.writingcenter@umich.edu.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
Sincerely,
Writing Center Staff
Tutor Chat
Tutor Chat: A live video chat with a tutor to ask questions and receive help on up to one page of your paper.
Bluejeans is a live video chat. To join, click the link and select “join session.” It also provides an option to share your screen and document with the tutor. Here are those sessions:
Spring Semester Tutor Chat Days and Times:
- Tuesday, 3:00-4:00 pm. BlueJeans meeting link: https://bluejeans.com/776555361
- Wednesday, 3:00-4:00 pm. BlueJeans meeting link: https://bluejeans.com/535024507
Summer Semester Tutor Chat Days and Times:
- Tuesday, 1:00-2:00 pm. BlueJeans meeting link: https://bluejeans.com/487308372
- Wednesday, 1:00-2:00 pm. BlueJeans meeting link: https://bluejeans.com/511520467
During these sessions: we’ll take students first come first serve. However, we may prioritize quick questions if need be. We can help with:
- Brainstorming topics ideas
- Questions about citations
- Questions about: one paragraph, an introduction, the conclusion, or up to one page of a paper—not all of these at one time. Please choose one. You are welcome to make an e-tutoring appointment for overall feedback, but Tutor Chat is for quick questions and working on a specific issue.
- Questions about: E-tutoring, uploading a paper, making an appointment etc.
Tutors will ask for your client information in order to create a client report form. We’ll need the following information:
- Your name and major: (phone # and email if tutor needs to make you an account)
- Course name and number
- Type of paper
- What you wanted help with
If you have any questions, feel free to call 810-766-6602 or email us at flint.writingcenter@umich.edu
Thank you,
Writing Center Staff
Appointments: How to Videos
Creative Writing Contests
How to Become a Tutor
From Director Jacob Blumner-
There are four basic requirements to enroll in this course:
1) You must have completed English 112 or its equivalent.
2) You must have a faculty member nominate you. A nomination is simply an email to me stating you would be a good candidate for the course; it does not need to be a letter of recommendation.
3) You must provide a writing sample, preferably something academic.
4) Read the following explanation of the course:
English 363/563 is a course designed to prepare writers to become tutors in the Marian E. Wright Writing Center. Because the course fulfills a requirement for undergraduates and graduates, I have no expectation that students in the course intend to become tutors. The course covers both the theory and practice of tutoring and how they are applied in our Writing Center. In the course you will write at least three short papers and one longer, research paper that takes theory and finds a way to apply it in the M.E.W Writing Center. You can expect the workload to be equivalent to other 300/500 level courses.
One part of the course, unusual to English courses, is an observation component, akin to a lab in science. You will need to observe in the Writing Center once a week for a 2-hour block. There is some flexibility with when you can observe, but I need to assign you to a mentor tutor, so you need to have some time available during open Writing Center hours. You will keep a notebook of your observations. Additionally, I am considering incorporating a community outreach component into the course that would involve limited tutoring in the community for just a few hours over the course of the term. This additional time would be offset with some time off of the practicum in the Writing Center.
I encourage you to talk to current tutors in the Writing Center to learn more about the class and working in the Center.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I can be reached via email at blumner@umich.edu or by phone at 810-762-0655.
Course Description for: ENG 363/563 - Seminar in Collaborative Writing Theory and Practice
Consent of instructor - 4 credits. This class is offered in fall semesters only.
The Seminar in Collaborative Writing Theory and Practice allows students interested in tutoring to study the theory and practice of a university writing center. Through discussion, practice, and observation, you will begin to make connections between theory and practice to develop your own tutoring skills. Two hours of observation in the Writing Center per week is required in addition to class periods. ENG 363/563 is taught every fall semester.
Resumes and Cover Letters
The Writing Center has resources and tutors who can support you as you work through writing your resume and cover letters. Whether you need help just getting started, or just want feedback on a draft, make an appointment with one our tutors. We would be happy to help you.
Also, Career Services at the University of Michigan-Flint also has some fantastic resources and support for writing resumes and cover letters. They also have resume guides to give you examples of what those look like and tips for how to get started. Here is the link: https://www.umflint.edu/careers/resume-and-professional-writing-resources
Scholarship Tips
Tips for writing a scholarship essay
Scholarship essays provide committees with a picture of who you are based on the questions they’ve asked. Often, these questions are meant to reveal where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going in the future. It’s also about learning how and why your experiences are important to you. For information about UM-Flint scholarship guidelines, visit: https://sis.umflint.edu/prod/zrpappl.p_step0. Deadline for UM-Flint scholarships is Friday, Feb. 15th.
Before you begin drafting, brainstorm to generate material about the following:
What does the prompt ask of you?
Make a list of each thing that’s asked of you
Next to each: list several very specific examples from your life that fulfills that category. You may or may not use them all, but it helps you to find the strongest, most compelling ideas if you go beyond the surface
Key: Be specific. Saying, “Ever since I was a child, I’ve always known I wanted…” to a reader this can sound boring, vague, and even if true, many people try to rely on this type of opening. So, why sound like everyone else? Find specific experiences that are interesting and unique to you.
Example of a specific experience: “When I was 14, I visited a snake exhibit. I learned that snake venom was not only deadly but also a lifesaving cure. A herpetologist at the nature center demonstrated how they milk snake venom to create antidotes to treat deadly snake bites. I was fascinated and studied more about it in my high school biology class to understand how this was done. As a result, I realized I wanted to become a herpetologist, too. To achieve my goal, I am currently majoring in biology at the University of Michigan-Flint.
This example is specific and unique to this writer. It also shows what happened in the past to influence what the writer is doing now and wants to be in the future. What’s your unique story?
What might the committee also be expecting that’s not listed in the prompt?
First, who might your committee be and what might they be looking for?Professors: your academic aptitude, engagement as a learner, dedication, and your thoughtfulness and professionalism in writing. Consider showing examples from:
Specific classes and/or class projects that connect in some way to your goals or interests
What you value about your education and why
A clean essay that demonstrates your maturity and professionalism in writing
Donors: want to make a difference in some way to the field, the world, or a student’s education. They create scholarships to help that difference come true. Show them you can make a difference they can believe in. They are looking for your passion for the field, demonstrated interest in your education, and/or strong goals. Find examples that fulfil the prompt questions that come from:
your life, work, volunteer, personal interests, education etc.
A great reason why they should choose you
Once you’ve completed your brainstorming, you’ll have a much better idea of what you want to say and why. Organizing it can sometimes feel a bit daunting, but think of your essay like a picture, rather than a laundry list. Each step you’ve taken has led you somewhere. Show the cause and effect of the experiences and life choices you’ve had or made. Even if you’ve had challenges, they may have given you the opportunity to re-examine your life and make different choices. That shows learning and growth, just as much as the successes.
Try creating an initial draft or going to the Writing Center to talk with a tutor. Sometimes, having someone to talk to can really help you see what you want to say more clearly.
NaNoWriMo
We'll be hosting writing sprints for NaNoWriMo in November on Wednesday nights from 5:00-6:00. Stay tuned for more information.
If you're interested in getting a head start for NaNoWriMo, we do have a writer's circle that meets on Fridays in the Writing Center, 309 Thompson Library, from 12:00-1:00. We'll provide activities that help you think about: characters, plot, chapter outlines and more! If you're interested, please rsvp to Vicky Dawson, vidawson@umich.edu or call 810-766-6602. We'll have coffee!
Graduate School Workshops in October and November!
Sign up for one of our graduate school sessions. There are two workshops for each session to help you get a great start on your essay. Please RSVP to Vicky Dawson, vidawson@umich.edu, by October 18th. Space is limited to the first 15 people for each session.
Getting Started: Learn to Deconstruct a Writing Prompt:
Session 1: Monday, October 21st: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Session 2: Tuesday, October 22nd: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Ask the Right Questions: Make Your Essay Stand Out!
Session 1: Monday, November 4th: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Session 2: Tuesday, November 5th: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Writer's Circle
The Fall 2019 Writer's Circle will meet on Fridays at noon, starting September 27th-December 6th.
This semester, the Writer's Circle will focus on getting ready for NaNoWriMO! National Novel Writing Month runs through the month of November. Students, faculty, and staff interested in getting prepped to write a novel in a month are welcome to join us for our weekly writer's circle. We will have activities for:
1. Character development
2. Story sketches
3. Chapter outlines
4. Plot devices
5. Setting
6. And, more!
If you're interested in joining us, please email Vicky Dawson at vidawson@umich.edu or give us a call at 810-766-6602.
Writing Tips and Resources
How to Create a Thesis Statement: Click here to download our tip sheet to writing a strong thesis statement.
Here's a PowerPoint explaining it as well: Thesis Statement PowerPoint
Information Management Chart: Want to make writing your research paper quicker and easier? Check out our Information Management Chart!
