Writing Tutorial Center Frequently Asked Questions

How do appointments at the Writing Center work?

We offer one-on-one tutoring sessions with one of our experienced academic professionals. These hour-long appointments generally begin with a conversation between you and the tutor regarding your goals, the specifics of your assignment, and your concerns—before jumping into your paper.

The main goal of the tutor is to help you define your argument, make appropriate structural and organizational changes, target areas that require clarified support, check that you are citing your sources properly, and answer any questions of writing style. Only after addressing these concerns will the tutor take a look at your grammar and issues of English language usage. Please note, the WTC is not an editing or proofreading service. Do not expect your tutor to simply make grammatical corrections on your paper and then give it back to you. Tutors are there to help guide you through your writing, but you must be fully engaged in the process and make any changes to your work yourself, pen-in-hand, during the session.

What types of appointments do you offer?
 

Weekly Appointments

Weekly appointments are available to students who need help on longer papers or the regular assistance of a tutor. When you sign up for a weekly appointment, you are assigned to a specific tutor who you will meet with for one hour, at the same time each week. You are expected to attend each session throughout the semester; if you miss more than two weekly appointments without letting us know, we may cancel your spot to make room for other students.

Please note: Weekly appointments are required for graduate thesis students. We do not offer one-time or walk-in appointments for your thesis.

One-Time Appointments

If you encounter a specific assignment that you need some help with, you can sign up for a one-time, hour long appointment with a tutor. Be clear what kind of assignment you will be working on when you make the appointment, that way the most suitable tutor can be chosen for you. Please make your appointment as far in advance as possible to guarantee availability, especially around midterms and finals.

Walk-In Tutoring

Walk-in tutoring is sometimes available, but should only be seen as a last resort. If you are having difficulty with an assignment and are unable to schedule anything ahead of time, then you can try to stop in without an appointment and see if a tutor is available to help. However, the later in the semester that it gets, the less likely it is that there will be any open spots. Although we try to meet everyone’s needs, we only have a certain amount of tutors and tutoring hours to go around, thus priority is given to weekly/scheduled appointments.

Please note: Our art history appointments are limited, so it is unlikely you will be able to see a tutor this way.

How do I schedule an appointment?

To schedule an appointment, you can call 718. 636.3459, stop by the office in North Hall 101, email us at wtc@pratt.edu, or message us at facebook.com/prattwritingcenter. You are allowed to have one writing, one speaking, and one art history appointment per week. But keep in mind that our appointment spots can fill up fast, so you should schedule as early in the semester as possible to ensure that space is available.

Limited tutoring is also available at the Pratt Manhattan building on 14th Street. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment there.

How long is each appointment?

Each appointment slot is for one hour, so be sure to plan and prioritize what you reasonably hope to accomplish in that time. Most tutoring sessions are only long enough to address between one and five pages of written work, so it is important to plan and prioritize what you reasonably hope to accomplish in this time. How far you are able to get on your paper depends on your skill level, the assignment, and how often you visit the WTC.

Can I schedule an appointment to work on my graduate thesis?

Yes, the WTC offers thesis tutoring to all graduate students across the institute. Thesis students are required to meet with the same tutor at the same time on a weekly basis throughout the semester. Because theses are long and involved projects, there is often a greater emphasis on the discussion of ideas, and the translation of these ideas into clear, effective writing. While tutors are generally fluent in a variety of art and design related topics and department-specific thesis formatting, it is always the prerogative of the thesis tutor to assist students with their writing, more than the content of the thesis itself.

What other subjects can I schedule tutoring in?

The WTC offers a limited number of weekly appointments with tutors who specialize in art history writing, as well as speaking/conversation sessions to help non-native English speakers increase their verbal fluency. In general, you are welcome to bring in written assignments for any of your liberal arts classes—although we may not be able to tutor you on the content of the courses, we can definitely work with you on the effectiveness of your papers. Tutors are also available to help with your resumé, cover letter, or application essays.

We also offer limited tutoring in Math/Science; please check with us if you are interested in scheduling an appointment.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Tutors will expect you to arrive at your session on time, with a printed copy of your paper, as well as any relevant assignment sheets, notes, or drafts. For speaking appointments, students are encouraged to bring any texts they would like to practice reading or discussing with their tutor.

Can I print my paper at the Writing Center?

Yes, the computer lab located in the back of the WTC offers black and white printing during our office hours. A lab monitor will be available inside to help with any technical issues you might face. Please try to arrive a few minutes early if you need to print your work, so that you won’t miss out on any time with your tutor.