Writing Workshop

The Writing Workshop at Vanderbilt University’s English Language Center (ELC) is designed to meet the writing needs of

-international students enrolled in academic programs and
-international faculty and scholars. 

Due to the varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the university’s international students, faculty, and scholars, their abilities and needs in accomplishing course writing requirements may vary significantly from those of native English-speaking students.  The instructors at the ELC are well acquainted with typical writing styles of internationals and is experienced in teaching English-as-a-second-language writing. 

The ELC Writing Workshop provides one-on-one sessions between students-clients and teachers in order to zero in on the individual’s most pressing needs.  Sessions are scheduled in advance directly with the Workshop Coordinator.  Simply click on the link below to sign up.

Students who plan to participate in these sessions should:

-bring a specific writing assignment or project with them, along with specific questions/concerns, and
-be familiar with their field or department’s preferred writers’ style manual (and bring a copy if possible). 

Writing Workshop sessions will focus on language rather than content. If you find yourself having trouble organizing and presenting your ideas in writing, contact the Writing Studio at www.vanderbilt.edu/writing to schedule a one-on-one consultation. Seeking assistance at the Writing Studio does not prevent you from making an appointment at the ELC Writing Workshop where we are happy to work with you on language-related problems in writing, such as grammar, punctuation, word choice, and word order.

For more information, please contact Lee Martin, Assistant Director, at lee.martin@vanderbilt.edu.

Writing Workshops are only offered during Fall and Spring semesters.
Registration will re-open September 8, 2008.

Click here to sign-up for
Writing Workshop sessions!

Writing Workshop Policies

WW Appointment Schedule

The WW Coordinator will make appointments and keep the appointment schedule. Before you arrive for a session, please have clear objectives in mind and bring along a copy of the material you wish to work on.

If you would like to schedule another session, please use the ELC website. We cannot guarantee you will meet with the same consultant. But you may make a request.

Appointment Policies

What the Writing Workshop Offers and Expects of Writers:

· If a writer registers online for a session, we do everything we can to facilitate a consultation. This policy means that we try to schedule the writer for the next available appointment.

· Undergraduate students may schedule up to three (3) appointments per week.

· Graduate students may schedule one (1) appointment per week.

· Faculty and staff may be scheduled on an as-needed basis by the Coordinator.

· No client may schedule more than one (1) appointment for the same day.

· No client may schedule an appointment to last longer than the standard 50-minute session.

· Writers do not need to have a completed draft before they make or attend an appointment.

· Writers must determine with their class instructor whether or not it is appropriate to use WW services for assignments and take-home exams, as described in the honor code: www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bsci111b/honor-excerpts.htm.

· We encourage students to meet with multiple consultants, though we try to honor specific requests.

· Writers must make their own appointments.

What the Writing Workshop Does Not Offer:

· The ELC WW does not provide editing or proofreading services (i.e. a writer cannot drop off a paper and pick it up later with corrections, and a writer cannot sit passively through a session in which a consultant “corrects” a paper). We can, however, help a writer learn how best to edit or proofread his/her own work.

· WW consultants never discuss scores or grades, or make evaluative comments about assignments or instructors during Workshop appointments or in conversation with writers or other consultants.

· The WW does not make standing appointments over the course of a semester or an academic year.

· Consultants may refer clients to the VU Writing Studio (www.vanderbilt.edu/writing) if they determine the client’s main needs involve organizing and presenting their ideas in writing and her/his written language (e.g. grammar, punctuation, word choice, word order) is otherwise adequate.