One-on-One Appointments at the UC Writing Centre
One-on-one instruction offers the best way for you to become a stronger writer. Our highly trained instructors work with you in 50-minute appointments on course assignments at any stage and in any subject. We help you develop your capacity to plan, organize, write, and revise your academic papers.
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Who Can Make an Appointment with Us and When
- All students registered at UC may use the UC Writing Centre.
- If you’re taking a college program course, you may bring in work in that course.
- You may book one appointment a week and up to three future appointments at any time. There is no limit on the total appointments you may book over the term.
- You may visit the UC Writing Centre up to twice a week in the summer.
- UC students may book for help on application letters, admissions statements, and U of T-related research. (There is no longer a limit on the number of appointments you may book for these forms of help.)
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How We Help You
- We ask about your assignment and discuss your plans, helping you to understand your topic and clarify your ideas. We can help you to build an outline.
- We ask you questions. If you can articulate your ideas in speech, you'll more easily discover the right words to put on paper.
- We read your writing intensively. You can ask us to scan the whole paper or to go over one section in detail.
- We demonstrate and teach skills in revising and proofreading, but we don't go through your paper and fix the language errors for you.
- We point you to published material and to U of T's over 60 Advice files on academic writing.
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How to Prepare for Your Appointment
- Don't cancel your appointment just because you haven't finished a draft. Remember, we can work with you at any stage.
- If you must cancel, please do so as soon as you can to give others a chance to book an appointment.
- If you will be seeking help on a draft, leave some time to revise before you come in, so that we can focus on those issues you can’t easily spot yourself.
- For in-person appointments, you may choose to share a hard-copy of your paper, or you may share your paper through Google Docs.
- Online appointments occur through Google Docs. You will receive instructions for file sharing when you book.
- Be sure to share your assignment sheet along with any completed work.
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The Waiting List
- If you can’t get an appointment because we’re solidly booked, don’t give up. Many students get their appointments through the waiting list.
- You may place yourself on the waiting list for as many days as you wish.
- You’ll be notified by email if an appointment becomes free. Follow the link to the schedule.
- Everyone on the waiting list will be sent a notice at the same time; openings will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Be persistent. If you aren’t lucky the first time, you may be the second or third.
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Drop-in Appointments
- If an appointment slot remains open at the starting time or opens up because a student hasn't shown, we will send a drop-in notification to everybody on the waitlist.
- You may have a drop-in even if you have reached your limit on regular appointments, though we may give priority to students who haven't yet had any this week.
- Bring specific questions, and think ahead of time about what most needs attention.
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A Few Important Policies
- Students who do not cancel at least 5 hours in advance or miss an appointment will receive a penalty. You will also be blocked from booking after three late cancellations or two no-shows. You may seek reinstatement after being blocked.
- You may book an appointment only for yourself. If you can’t attend your appointment, please make sure to cancel. Do not offer it to another student.
- Students who are more than 15 minutes late may lose their reservation to drop-ins.