Welcome to the Writing Resources Hub for Appalachian State University!


Welcome to the University Writing Center's Resources Page. You can search for specific terms in the box above or review the lists below, which are organized thematically by the most commonly asked questions. 

When Should I Come to the Writing Center?

|For Students

One of the most common misconceptions about the Writing Center is that you must have a completed writing draft to schedule a session. Not true! You can have a consultation at the Writing Center at any point in the writing process. Consider scheduling a session for any of the following tasks:

Some of the most beneficial sessions happen before you do any writing for an assignment. Consider a brainstorming/invention session with the Writing Center as the first step in your process. Our consultants will work with you to review the criteria of the specific assignment, clarify any confusing aspects of the task, and develop strategies and timelines you can use to meet the challenges of the assignment expertly and on time. We will help with both content requirements and any standards regarding technical components of assignments, such as formatting and documentation.  

Going through your assignment thoroughly with a consultant will help you recognize and correctly interpret key terms such as summarize, analyze, review, interpret, argue, explain, and illustrate. Additionally, deconstructing your assignment will help you develop writing-specific elements such as audience, form, tone, and point of view. 

For more information, see Decoding an Assignment.

Many assignments require outside research, which typically means locating credible sources that have to meet criteria specified by your instructor. This task can be deceptively difficult. The Writing Center can help you through this tricky stage of the research process. Our consultants are familiar with our library’s databases and other helpful search engine hubs, and they can recommend research help, such as RAP sessions, available from the library. We can also help you develop strategies for efficiently evaluating sources to determine their usefulness and the various functions they could serve in your research. And, of course, we can help you accurately cite any sources you find.

No completed writing is necessary. All you need to have with you is a copy of the assignment and any other relevant materials, such as the course syllabus or any sources you have already found or that your professor has pointed out.

Composing those first few lines of a writing assignment can be the most daunting and can take the most time. The Writing Center can help with this task. Consider scheduling an brainstorming/invention session with us. Together, you and your consultant can work on various invention techniques, such as focused free writing, clustering, and mapping. Your consultant will write alongside you, which can alleviate those awkward first lines of composing and save you from writer’s block. 
Let’s say you’ve found the sources you need, and you’ve drafted some writing for each source. Now is a great time to schedule a session with a Writing Center consultant to collaborate on organizing your sources and composing additional analysis or transitional material to bring all of your research together. Have available whatever notes or drafting you’ve completed and any annotations from sources you have. You and a consultant can work together and begin creating your initial final draft. 
Once you find yourself approaching the end of the writing process, it’s time to schedule another Writing Center session. Bring your final draft to your consultant for a revision session. You will read through your writing out loud together, collaborating to catch sentence-level errors and address any clarity issues, formatting issues, or other editing concerns that might come up. 
Our writing consultants are always prepared to help you navigate documentation issues, regardless of which style you are using for your project. Consultants are trained in APA, MLA, and Chicago, and the Writing Center has reference materials for a myriad of other documentation styles. Bring your sources and your assignment to your citation/documentation session, and we can concentrate on addressing all your documentation questions and concerns. 

When you need assistance at any stage of completing a paper or project, schedule an appointment via our online appointment portal, Trac Cloud, give us a call at 828-262-3144, text us at 828-476-8644, or email writingctr@appstate.edu. When it’s time for your appointment, have available any and all materials relevant to the assignment, including

  • assignment-specific handouts
  • the course syllabus, which often includes information about documentation and formatting
  • course texts
  • any feedback/responses from your instructor

If you don’t have these documents available, no worries! Show up as you are.


For Faculty and Staff

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