beyond your textbook

Writing Center

The ability to communicate well in writing is a distinct advantage at college – and beyond. Drew’s Writing Center is solely dedicated to helping students develop and polish their skills. From working on grammar and syntax, to serving as a “sounding board” for thought organization and persuasive expression, this unique, popular resource can provide the assistance you need to make the written word shine. Erec Smith, Director of the Writing Center, provides some details of what his team does, and for whom, in the following Q&A interview.

What kinds of services does the Writing Center offer?
It might be more appropriate to call the Writing Center a “Thinking Center,” because we counsel on the entire writing process, not just the methods of selecting words and constructing sentences. Of course, we help with mechanics – we can point out that a comma is missing in a particular sentence. However, the real value of our service lies in strengthening each student’s own thinking and writing capabilities.

Are there particular types of assignments that students bring to you?
In addition to term papers and other extensive writing projects, we help students with speeches, applications, letters, work reports and even e-mail drafts. There are no limitations. It also is important to know that students can come to us at any stage of the assignment. In other words, we not only help to edit and polish a finished piece but often discuss ideas and plans for a written piece before a student even begins.

Can students who already have strong writing skills benefit?
Yes, they can. The Writing Center is not just for remedial work. Students at all levels benefit from our services. For example, in academia there is a certain discourse for organizing and writing thoughts that may be different than an incoming freshman is accustomed to, even if that freshman is a wonderful writer. We can help them learn how to fit their ideas and thoughts into the academic discourse.

How involved do the Writing Center consultants become?
Our job is to steer students toward writing success through questions, discussion and encouragement. We are guides, not teachers. We do not tell students what to do and say, but we have conversations to help them identify what they want to get across in their writing. Then we work with them to ensure that their content satisfies their objective.

Who are the Writing Center consultants?
Most of our consulting staff members are Drew undergraduate or graduate students. All of them have experience in one-on-one counseling, and they share a common goal of wanting their peers to be comfortable discussing their writing challenges. As students themselves, they are sympathetic and understanding when it comes to writing problems, and they also understand the stresses of deadlines and due dates.