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

2020 Spooktacular Writing contest! 

Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to submit one short story and/or poem for our Halloween Writing Contest. 

Submission Guidelines:
400 word maximum for short stories, double-spaced
20 lines maximum for poetry, single spaced
12 point font, 1 inch margins

Winners will be announced on the Writing Center's Facebook and Twitter accounts on Halloween. 
Winning submissions will be posted on the Writing Center blog. 

All submissions must be received by October 23, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. Click here to submit your entry

Questions, feel free to email the Writing Center at flint.writingcenter@umich.edu

Marian E. Wright Writing Center

Graduate School Essay Workshops
Make your essay stand out!

Join us for the Writing Center’s two-part workshop series:

Part 1: "Prep for Your Graduate School Essay" Learn tips for deconstructing the writing prompt, and how to mine your life experiences for content to include in your essay.

Part 2: "Revision Tips for Graduate School Essays" Learn why it's important to be clear, specific, and tell your own story. Revision is much more than editing. It's about sculpting your essay to make it stand out!

Workshop dates:

Prepping for Your Graduate School Essay:  

• Monday, October 26th, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 28th, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Revision Tips for Graduate School Essays: 

• Monday, November 9th, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 11th, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

 Please register by October 21st: Click here to register

*Workshop is limited to the first 30 students.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Vicky Dawson, the Writing Center Coordinator, vidawson@umich.edu. 

Writers' Circle: The Fall 2020 Writer's Circle will meet on Wednesdays at noon, starting September 9th. 

The group provides accountability, support, and time for writing. We provide updates at the beginning of the session, then 35-45 minutes are dedicated to writing. Once a month, we offer group members the opportunity to share a section of their work for feedback. 

If you're interested in joining us, please email Vicky Dawson at vidawson@umich.edu 

NaNoWriMo: Also, we will be doing NaNoWriMo writing sprints and support during the month of November during our Writers' Circle. If you are interested in participating, please contact Vicky Dawson vidawson@umich.edu for how to join the group. 

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!

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 of our tutors. We would be happy to help you.

Also, Career Services at the University of Michigan-Flint also has 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 to the Resume and Professional Writing Guide