Writing Support Tutors

Signing up for a session

Writing support is available upon mutual agreement between a Writing Support Tutor (WST) and the student.

  • .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for an appointment.
  • For a follow-up appointment, you can contact your WST directly.
  • Sign up at least 48 business hours in advance of a requested session.
  • Initial appointmetns are always in person. Subsequent appointments can be conducted electronically.
  • Cancellation is needed at least 24 business hours in advance via email. If you do not turn up for a session, you will not be granted another time for the next two weeks.

Why See a WST?

At FIE we pride ourselves on our strong academics, but the UK way may be a little different from what you are used to. For this reason, we offer the WST program.

Many people think the WSTs provide assistance for “poor” writers, but all writers, from beginners to professionals, profit from having other people review their work. No matter your level of writing expertise, FIE’s WSTs help with all phases of the writing process:

  • Getting started: choosing a topic, developing a thesis, writing an introduction
  • Editing a draft: checking organization, the clarity of an argument, sentence structure, punctuation, usage
  • Revising the submission of paper returned by an instructor: deciphering symbols and comments, finding more effective ways of developing the topic, etc.

Working with a WST is a great way to strengthen your skills by talking about writing at any stage of the writing process – from the brainstorming phase, through to drafting, and revision. Get help with:

  • Discussing the possible faculty expectations of an assignment
  • Brainstorming a topic about which to write
  • Brainstorming ideas to get started or to get unstuck
  • Crafting a strong central idea
  • Ways to evaluate or integrate research material that you have found
  • How you have developed and supported an argument
  • Grammar
  • Organization and sentence style
  • Clarity and style

WSTs help improve not only writing for any class but also personal writing, such as letters for scholarships, personal statements for professional school applications, and cover letters and résumés for job applications. WSTs work with students, not for students. Dropping off a paper to have someone “fix” it is not an option.

About Tutor Sessions

The length of a face-to-face tutorial could vary according to a student’s needs. It is recommended that a tutorial is worthwhile if it could be not less than 45 minutes and not more than one hour. Notes about meeting with a tutor:

  • A tutor will not read more than a second draft of a paper.
  • A student will not be guaranteed of a better grade because of tutoring.
  • Proofreading and spell checking are the responsibility of the student.
  • The accuracy of information contained in a paper will not be addressed.
  • Submissions are limited to two per week and resubmitting a draft for a complete review counts as a second submission. However, students are permitted (and encouraged) to ask for clarification on tutor comments.