Many students are not aware that there is a place on campus where friendly people are happy to help them improve their writing skills.
The Writing Center is ready to help students with their brainstorming, composition, feedback on rough drafts, resume writing, college application essays, proofreading skills, research and formatting (such as MLA, APA and others).
“When I first came to the writing center, my grammar and punctuation were bad. I was not sure how to write a research paper, so I was not a confident writer overall,” said Casey Streckert, world literature major at Tyler Junior College.
Many students at TJC are like Streckert are in need of a little bit of help with their papers, but they do not know where to go.
The Writing Center was created in 1995 with the purpose to help students with writing assignments. It is now located in Jenkins 1108, and has four professional tutors.
“They have at least a bachelor degree in English, sometimes a master’s degree. They also have experience in teaching and tutoring, so they are very well prepared to work with the students,” Kristen Jackson, coordinator for the Writing Center, said. “We also have five student tutors, who work with students that did not make an appointment.”
Through the years, students have had misconceptions about the purpose of the Writing Center. The Writing Center’s goal is helping students become stronger and better writers.
“Teaching how to fish and not just giving the fish. That is our philosophy,” said Jackson. In other words, their job is not to write the paper for the students. They are willing to help students, no matter their major, who have problems understanding the American writing style.
“International students do not need to be intimidated about their pronunciation; the TJC Writing Center is available to help them master the American style of writing.” “They are there because their desire is to help,” said Lili ane Defant, writing center tutor.
Students can make an appointment, which is recommended, Mondays through Fridays anytime between 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. They do post walk-in hours, and students do not have to have an appointment.
Monday 8a.m. to10 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. to 10a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
Wednesday 4p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The Writing Center is located in Jenkins 1108
An appointment is 50 to 60 minutes. Walk-in tutoring sessions are usually 30 minutes. They also offer online tutoring for those who cannot come to face-to-face tutoring. Distance is not an excuse to not ask for help from the writing center.
A schedule for all workshops and other valuable information can be found at the TJC Writing Center. Students can also ask questions by calling, (903) 510-3200, or their website, http://www.tjc.edu/WritingCenter, or students can look on facebook.com/TJCWritingcenter.
