Research, Reading, & Writing Studio

What you can do before your visit / online session

• Figure out which piece of writing you want to work on. Also find the assignment or prompt and any rubric associated with it

• Identify specific concerns or questions that you have about the piece of writing or Studio process. For example:
• Where in the writing process are you? Getting started? First draft? Revised draft? Almost done?
• Is there a tricky paragraph/section of the paper that you’d like to look at with someone else?
• How well does your paper address the intended audience?
• How do you feel about your thesis/claim? Does your argument persist throughout the paper?
• Are you looking for help with your in-text citations and your references?
• Review any comments that your professor or peers have given you

• Prepare yourself to enter into a conversation about your writing

What to expect at an in-person session

• Come to the Research, Reading, & Writing Studio on the library main floor - No appointment needed!
• Take a table top sign and turn it to working if you just want to work in the Studio space; flip the sign to ask a question to let the Writing Assistant know you have a question.
• The Writing Assistant will come help you as soon as they are able
• We will work with you on your concerns/questions and then let you continue working while we help someone else. We will check back in with you or you can flip your sign back to the question mark when you have a new question.

What to expect from a 25 minute Teams or Zoom appointment

• Appointments must be booked at least 2 hours in advance.
• Appointment-time options may vary from week to week.
• At appointment time, you will meet for 25 minutes with a Writing Assistant; we recommend prioritizing a few things you want to work on beforehand, so you can make the most of the appointment time.
• Sign up is limited to two appointments per day; please do not make back-to-back appointments. Pedagogically it is better to break things down into smaller chunks: meet and discuss a few things, work on those aspects of your writing at your own pace, then meet again to discuss how that went and work on the next things.

How can the Studio help me?
The Studio will provide assistance in and strategies for research, reading, and writing including, but not limited to:

• Topic Selection
• Assignment decoding
• Addressing instructor feedback
• Searching for sources
• Evaluating sources
• Reading difficult texts
• Creating a thesis statement
• Organizing a paper
• Referencing and citing sources
• Editing/proofreading

Who can use the Studio?
Any current SPU student--both undergraduate and graduate--is welcome to use the Studio.

What kind of papers do you help with?
We can offer guidance on any paper you're working on for any class, whether WRI or HIST or BIO or SOC. We'll work alongside you to strengthen your thesis, support your claims, and cite your sources, whatever it is you're writing.

What do I need to bring when I interact with the Studio?
As much or as little as you like.  If you have a draft of your essay, use that.  The assignment sheet and grading rubric can help the Writing Assistants understand your assignment. You might also want to have ready any books or research materials you've been working with.

How are Studio Assistants chosen?
Studio Assistants are hired in the spring for a one-year renewable appointment beginning the following fall.  Studio Assistants may need to enroll in WRI 2930: Pedagogies of Tutoring.  If you are interested in becoming a Studio Assistant, contact Dr. Peter Moe.