Writing Center
A-State's writing center helps you become a better writer. Get help writing papers
across any subject. We can help with everything from essays to dissertations, and
everything in between. No matter where you are in the writing process, our tutors
are ready to help you succeed.
We're Here to Help
If you’re part of A-State—on the Jonesboro campus or online—you can book a writing
tutoring session with us. Check out our support for both undergraduate and graduate
students.
Undergraduate Services
We’re here to help you grow as a writer. Whether it’s a paper, a cover letter, or anything in between, we’ll guide you toward stronger, more confident writing. Just follow these three simple rules:
- Only make appointments you mean, and drop-in when you need it. We want to help the most amount of students possible. If you miss three appointments without letting us know ahead of time, you won't be able to anymore!
- Please use phones respectfully. You only get 45 minutes with us, and we want you to get the most out of it.
- Be polite. Tutoring is hard work that takes intelligence, patience, and kindness. Please treat them with the same respect we ask them to treat you with.
Graduate Services
The Writer’s Block is a dedicated space for graduate students working on theses and dissertations. It offers a quiet, cozy environment with access to Writing Center guides for quick questions and resources. You can also join writing groups for support and accountability throughout the writing process.
Writers’ groups meet regularly and include options such as:
- Tutor-led mini-lessons
- Section-specific discussions
- Silent writing & research time
- Group-led peer review.
Space is limited, so register through Penji to reserve your spot or join a group!
Need quick help? Here's the 2024 guide for writing theses and dissertations!
How Does Tutoring Work?
- Make an appointment... This can be done via Penji, either through the app or a web browser. See here for instructions.
- ... Or you can walk in. If you choose to walk-in for an in-person session, you will have to wait for the next available tutor to finish with their session. All walk-ins are on a first-come-first-serve basis, so you aren't guaranteed a session without an appointment.
- Make sure you have what you need for the session. Not sure what to bring? Here's a handy list to get you started:
- A digital or physical copy of your paper or other writing assignment.
- A way to take notes.
- All assignment instructions.
- Meet your tutor. The Writing Center is a safe, study-conducive environment for all students who walk through our doors. We are here to help you succeed, so don't hesitate to let your tutor know where you're struggling!
- Discuss your writing or assignment. At the Writing Center, we focus on big picture issues first. Don't understand the assignment? That's okay. Bring your notes, assignment sheets, prompts, and/or research materials, and we'll talk it out with you!
- Expect a dialogue. We can't comment on your writing without you present, and we can't edit your paper for you. However, we certainly can coach and cheerlead you to writing victory! Beyond helping you recognize common errors, we will help you organize your ideas, maintain a consistent tone, and develop your voice and style. Tell us about your goals, and we will do our best to help get you there.
- Develop your writing process. Come back for more sessions as necessary! We would love to see you again.
What do you need to know?
- When scheduling through Penji, you can select a session length based on your needs:
- A one-time 20-minute session is appropriate for:
- Quick questions such as citation and reference pages;
- 1-2 page assignments;
- Pre-writing tasks like brainstorming, outlining, and assignment breakdown.
- A one-time 45-minute session is appropriate for more complex tasks such as:
- 3-5 page papers;
- Help with organization, voice, style, flow, etc.
- Weekly 45-minute sessions are recommended for:
- Sustained skill building;
- Papers longer than 5 pages;
- Graduate students working on theses or dissertations.
- A one-time 20-minute session is appropriate for:
- If you come in late, we will only be able to work with you for the remaining time within your session.
- If you are more than 10 minutes late, we have to cancel your session.
- Online sessions cannot be completed while operating a motor vehicle. If your tutor suspects that you are driving while in-session, the session will be ended and marked as incomplete.
- To help the most students, we only allow one session per day and three per week. However, you can come as many weeks in the semester as you need!
Scheduling & Quick References
Scheduling an Appointment With a Tutor
- Click here to make an appointment with the Writing Center. We offer:
- Zoom or Face-to-Face,
- 20 minute sessions for formatting, brainstorming, and papers shorter than two pages;
- 45 minute single sessions for work longer than 2 pages, discussion, and review;
- 45 minute weekly sessions for texts 10 pages or longer & sustained skill building.
The Writer's Block: Graduate Writing Workshops
- These are for graduate students working toward a thesis or dissertation.
- Click here to register for our monthly workshops.
- Choose "Register for Events or Workshops".
- Select the workshops you would like to attend.
Accommodations
- The Writing Center is an inclusive space and we want you to feel comfortable here. We will never ask you if you have any physical or learning differences. However, if you don't see a service that you think meets your needs please reach our to our director.
- We can arrange extra session time or a quieter workspace.
- We can work with the Office of Access and Accommodations to meet your needs with your permission.
Penji Instructions
- Download the Penji App on your phone, or use the website on your computer.
- Sign in using your A-State email and password.
- From the menu on the left side of the screen, choose Learn.
- If you haven't before, join the Writing Center Community from the left menu
- To do this, look for the heading "Other Communities". Beneath it, click Writing Center, and then click Join Community.
- Note: If you've booked before and use Penji for other communities, you might have to 'Switch To' the Writing Center instead of Joining it. Do this by clicking the 'Switch To' button from the left menu until it cycles to 'Switch to the Writing Center'. Now when you click, you'll be in the Writing Center Community.
- Pick what type of appointment you want. Choose "Schedule appointment" for a single meeting, or you can choose a weekly appointment, group appointment, or weekly group appointment if you prefer.
- Choose your class. It'll be listed in the letter-number combination, but if you don't know your class', you can always look it up in your syllabus. Even if it's for help with a personal project, you'll still need to pick a class; it's okay if it doesn't match.
- Pick a time. Just click the open slot most convenient to you!
- Pick a tutor. All our tutors are well-trained and ready to work with you, so there's no bad choice.
- Pick a location. You can either have your meeting in the Writing Center in-person or through Zoom online.
- Leave a message for your tutor. If you like, you can leave a comment for your tutor in the empty text box. After setting the appointment, we'll share a Google Drive Folder with your A-State email. Here, you can provide any materials you have, including assignment sheets and any writing you've already done, which helps your tutor prepare for your session.
- Hit 'Complete' and your appointment is set!
Need additional help? Check out Penji's Quickstart tutorial video.
The Writing Center Hours
In-Person
MONDAY–THURSDAY
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
SATURDAY–SUNDAY - By Appointment Only
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Online
MONDAY–THURSDAY
9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
FRIDAY
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
SATURDAY
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
SUNDAY
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.