Virtual Appointments Overview

A video explanation of the below appointment options is available here.

Zoom (Synchronous) Consultation Overview

  1. Schedule an appointment for an online research or writing consultation via our appointment scheduler. Use the dropdown feature to filter the schedule by appointment type, and then click an open white box to reserve a time slot.
  2. Prepare for the appointment. Have your course materials, questions, and (if applicable) a draft of your paper ready for the consultant to review during your appointment.
  3. Access your appointment:
    • Log back into your account at https://rwc.byu.edu/rwc/index.php
    • Select your name at the top left and find your appointment under “My Appointments” in the drop-down menu
    • Click on your appointment slot, and then click “START OR JOIN ONLINE CONSULTATION”

Email (Asynchronous) Consultation Overview

Email consultations are meant to provide support for those who might be unable to attend synchronous consultations.

  1. Schedule an appointment for an email writing consultation via our appointment scheduler. Use the dropdown feature to filter the schedule by “Asynchronous Email Consultation,” and then click an open white box to reserve a time slot.
  2. Provide specific and detailed information about the assignment. As part of the intake process, you will both describe and upload assignment information. Relevant assignment information to upload includes the assignment description or prompt, oral instructions, sample papers, grading rubrics, etc. These materials will help the consultant provide feedback tailored to your specific assignment and situation. If a written prompt does not exist, a detailed description of the assignment in your own words is acceptable.
  3. Explain the type of feedback you would like to receive. The most useful explanations include specific questions. For example, “Do I provide sufficient analysis and support for my thesis or main idea?” is more helpful than asking “Does my paper make sense?” Likewise, asking, “Do I have any run-on sentences or fragments?” is more effective than stating  you “need help with grammar and punctuation.” More specific concerns will help your writing consultant provide better individualized feedback. 
  4. Upload your entire paper as part of the intake process. Although your consultant will only have time to review five double-spaced pages, having the entire paper provides the consultant with the context needed to give helpful feedback. If your paper is longer than five pages, the consultant will respond to the first five pages, unless you ask the consultant to look at five specific pages or several portions of your work that combine to approximately five double-spaced pages.
  5. Submit your intake form, with your uploaded writing, to finalize your appointment. You do not need to login to a computer or come into the Research & Writing Center during your scheduled appointment hour. The consultant will take that appointment slot to review and respond to your work via email.
  6. Receive and make best use of feedback. After the consultant completes the session, you will receive an email containing responses to your questions, a PDF file of your paper with embedded comments, a feedback form, and a link to a secure, private Zoom recording created by the consultant. As with any Research & Writing Center session, the focus is on learning and making use of writing principles and revision strategies. Consequently, the consultant will not provide line-by-line corrections, but will instead give principle-based feedback tailored to your work. If you do not receive feedback within 24 hours of your appointment, please contact us.