Labs aid student writing

By Heather Holman
Summer Reporter

Students who need help with any writing project can visit the writing lab or on-line writing lab for assistance.

The Purdue Writing Lab, located in Room 226 of Heavilon Hall, offers tutor sessions and workshops for students. A student can get help with any kind of writing, cover letters, application essays or other writing assignments.

Erin Karper, the online writing lab technical operator, said, "(Students) can bring anything they're working on."

The writing lab will answer questions students have about their writing projects, talk about writing strategies and offer personal help with planning and revising different aspects of students' writing.

If students would like to use the writing lab's facilities the first thing to do is make an appointment. Students can either call the lab or walk in, which are taken on a first come, first serve basis.

Students are then paired with a tutor who will work with them on their writing material for a half-hour.

The tutors who help the students are very qualified. Karper said they had about 14 graduated students who assisted students and some undergraduate students. Most of the tutors are English majors. Some tutors have specializations such as English as a second language or business and technical writing.

Students can come to the lab for help before they start a paper to discuss the topic with a tutor or come in with a draft to get further help. The writing lab will not edit or proofread a paper, but the lab will teach a student how to become a better at those skills.

If a student is working on a class assignment, a letter will be sent to the teacher explaining what topics were worked on unless the student requests otherwise. Some teachers give extra points if students go to the lab.

There are also computers that students can take advantage of. Students can reserve two-hour time slots. There are also study rooms people can use.

The online writing lab is also helpful for students. Students are able to e-mail questions, get handouts, look for job listings and link to other sites.