For Faculty

Encourage Students to Use Research & Writing Center Services

Students who visit the RWC meet with a trained undergraduate writing or research consultant who will get to know them and the assignment, discuss their questions and concerns, review and discuss their work or ideas, and share feedback and resources to facilitate students’ long-term learning. The consultant’s highest priority is to help students meet assignment expectations and develop increased confidence as writers and researchers.
Help students identify specific questions to address or feedback to solicit during their consultation
Remember that meeting with a writing or research consultant in the RWC should not replace classroom instruction or attendance.

Request A Class Visit

As part of our mission to support and empower writers across campus, the Research and Writing Center offers brief, in-class presentations to introduce students and faculty to our program. During these presentations, trained consultants explain the concepts and strategies we use in our tutoring sessions, show students how to schedule appointments, answer questions, and encourage students in their personal writing projects.

The typical class visit lasts ~5-10 minutes
Consultants can present at the beginning or the end of class, which works best
We’ll confirm the date and time before our visit
We’re more than happy to cater our presentation to your specific course. For example, we can answer questions about how the Research and Writing Center can help with the unique genres of your field, or the idiosyncrasies of your assignments
Virtual visits are possible!

If you’re interested in having us stop by, please fill out this form. If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a line!

Syllabus Statement

Make your students aware of the Research & Writing Center and its resources by including a statement in your syllabus:

The BYU Research & Writing Center (3340 HBLL) is a valuable, free resource where trained undergraduate consultants provide individualized assistance on assignments at any stage of the research and writing process. Consultants aim to help you meet assignment expectations, answer questions, and increase your skills and confidence in research and writing. Before visiting, familiarize yourself with the RWC’s services and resources. When visiting, bring whatever materials will help the consultant best help you, including your assignment description, feedback from your instructor or TA, specific questions, and related materials. To learn more, visit rwc.byu.edu

Writing Center Representative

Do you encourage or incentivize students to visit the RWC as part of a writing assignment? If so, you might be interested in connecting your class with a “writing center representative.

Writing Center Representatives (WCRs) are experienced consultants who assist faculty and the RWC by offering both professors and students insight into writing center pedagogy and the RWC’s resources. WCRs can help prepare professors, students, and RWC consultants by

1). meeting with you, the professor, to discuss your assignment, including any course-specific or genre-specific expectations

2). writing and distributing a “course memo,” including a summary of your expectations and, if possible, an annotated assignment prompt and sample paper

3). visiting your class to answer questions and introduce students to the RWC.

Interested in connecting with a Writing Center Rep? If so, fill out this form.

If you have questions, feel free to shoot us an email at zach_largey@byu.edu .

Course Embedded Consultant

Course-embedded Consultants (CECs) are experienced writing tutors who connect with a specific course to help students on any stage of the writing process.

CECs typically

1). Attend class to learn the course material and to understand course needs and expectations.

2). Provide extensive writing assistance on 1-4 writing assignments, including helping students during the prewriting, drafting, and revising stages.

3). Hold face-to-face consultations with each student, offering formative and specific feedback on analysis, synthesis, thesis, organization, evidence, format, grammar, etc.

4). Support professors unable to dedicate significant time to writing instruction by running writing workshops outside of class, holding periodic office hours, and creating writing-specific resources for students (handouts, examples, etc.).

Overall, CECs hope to improve writing across the curriculum by helping faculty carry out writing assignments and by providing students with careful, constructive, and supportive assistance throughout the writing process.

Resources for Faculty Writing and Teaching

Faculty and staff writers are welcome to use Research & Writing Center services in addition to other on-campus programs designed to assist faculty with writing, editing, and teaching: