Two writing centers offer double the help

When Horacio A. Porras, a sophomore from Guatemala, came to the United States, he despaired of ever being able to write as well as he speaks.

"I have an accent, but no one ever really has any trouble understanding me speaking," he said. "But my English papers have been something else."

Porras was advised by a professor to try the writing centers. He said he has seen an improvement in his grades.

"I can see stuff now that I was doing, writing things like they would be in Spanish," he said. "I still do sometimes, but I'm getting better."

Like Porras, many students are unaware there are two campus writing centers, which offer free assistance to students who need help with research papers, essays and other writing assignments.

The Corbly Writing Center is located in Corbly Hall 353.

The Academic Support Center Writing Center is located in the lower level of the Community and Technical College building.

Both centers offer help on a drop-in basis. Advice is given on sentence structure, organization, documentation, formatting, grammar and syntax.

"Many students don't have a good grasp of what's wrong with their papers," said Laura L. Tussey, Ashland graduate student, who works in the Corbly center. "They ask for help with comma splices and that's the least of their worries. Teachers should stress development more. If there is no content to begin with, what can we help them with?"

Sarabeth Mills, Beckley junior who is a writing tutor, said, "The worst is when students show up with nothing. This is not a writing service. When they come in, they should actually have something written."

The students seeking advice are not the only ones who benefit: Many of the tutors find the experience to be a positive one, too.

"I particularly enjoy working with the ESL (English as a Second Language) students," said Kelly R. Broce, a Huntington senior employed at the ASC writing center. "For me, they're the most rewarding, and they are always so grateful for the help."

Aster T. Jemere, Washington D.C., junior, is originally from Ethiopia.

"I come so often to have papers looked at, but no one ever loses their patience with me," he said. "The tutors are so kind and helpful. Kelly (Broce) has assisted me several times and has always been a joy to work with."

Tussey said, "I don't mind spending more time with ESL students. The problems of language acquisition are different. Still, you have to be careful. There's a fine line between offering suggestions and writing the paper for them."

Students are encouraged to bring a hard copy of their assignment, because a printed copy is easier for tutors to read than a computer screen.

Students also need to plan in advance and allow enough time for revision.

"It's important not to wait until five minutes before the assignment's due," said Cindy L. Salmons, Prestonsburg graduate student.

The staff of the Corbly Writing Center is composed of graduate teaching assistants from the Department of English.

Any qualified graduate and undergraduate students, from any department, may work at the ASC Writing Center.

Two tutors are on duty most hours at either center.

Although both centers are run on a drop-in basis, the Corbly Writing Center is considering taking appointments, as well as drop-in students.

"That's one option we're looking into to help control the rush," said Art E. Stringer, chairman of the Department of English. "Of course, if students come to the Corbly center and no one is available, they should go to the (ASC) center. Some students don't want to be bothered to walk over to the other writing center but that's certainly preferable to waiting or maybe receiving no help at all." Stringer supervises the Corbly center.

Tussey agrees.

"I wish more students would go to the second center," she said. "We're swamped here (at the Corbly center). We're all TA's, we're very busy and have no choice about (working as tutors). It's required. I'm hoping the other center can handle more of the overflow as word gets out about it."

The Corbly center is open Monday, 9 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. The ASC Center is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Editor's note: Jon Rogers works as a tutor in the ASC Writing Center.