Writing Laboratory
Specialists:
What We Can and Cannot Do
Please note: When the Writing Lab is
very busy, WL Specialists limit time spent with each student to approximately 20
minutes.
Writing
Laboratory Specialists can help you at all points in your
writing:
You can talk to a WL Specialist about a writing
assignment before you even begin to write.
You can show a WL Specialist notes, idea lists, and
other explorations.
You can bring in a rough draft for help on how to
revise it so that it is focused and makes sense to a
reader.
You can bring in almost-finished papers for help with
polishing.
Writing
Laboratory Specialists can help you with organization and
development:
You can ask for help in figuring out what you want to
say.
You can talk to a WL Specialist about developing more
ideas to write about.
You can bring in a paper that has all of your ideas
and ask for advice on reorganizing, so the paper has a better
flow.
You can discuss with a WL Specialist about using
transitions to tie your ideas together.
Writing
Laboratory Specialists can help you with style and mechanics:
You can ask about improving sentence length and
variation.
You can get help in shaping your
argument.
You can seek advice on the paper’s tone, diction, and
voice.
You can see a WL Specialist to learn the correct
format for citing sources.
You can talk to a WL Specialist about evaluating and
incorporating outside sources.
You can see a WL Specialist for help on formatting
papers.
Writing
Laboratory Specialists can help you with grammar and
punctuation:
You can ask for help on how to proofread and
copy-edit.
You can go to a WL Specialist for explanations of
handbook terms.
You can ask a WL Specialist to look over specific
corrections you have made.
Our
Disclaimer
Writing Laboratory Specialists
cannot do the work for you:
You cannot
drop off your paper for a WL Specialist to fix.
You cannot
avoid the work of writing, revising, or editing by working with a WL
Specialist.
You need
to read through your paper and attempt to proofread it before consulting with a
WL Specialist.
____________________________________________
WL Specialists don’t write or edit
the paper for you, but WL Specialists can show you tips and tricks for
proofreading your own papers successfully.
WL Specialists only make
suggestions—the paper and its good and bad qualities are still
yours.
WL Specialists don’t promise you an
“A.”