Writing Lab

Build confidence in your writing

We're here to help students, faculty, and staff become more confident writers. To this end, we offer a variety of free services including one-on-one sessions with expert writing consultants, on-demand presentations on a range of writing-related topics and a broad selection of handouts developed specifically for the needs of the FGCU community.

Spring 2021 Hours

Online Sessions:

Monday - Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday 12:00pm to 5:00pm

All sessions are Eastern Time.

One-on-One Sessions

Work directly with one of our writing consultants on the questions and concerns you have about your writing and how you can solve them. Our consultants can help during any stage of the writing process, from when you first get your assignment guidelines and need an idea of where to start to making grammar edits, all the way to formatting your final citations.

Appointments are virtual

All sessions are currently being run online through Microsoft Teams. If you would like to book an appointment for an online session, simply follow the directions below and watch your email for how to connect with your writing consultant. Sessions can be booked up to 1 hour before the appointment start time (final appointments start at 4:30pm.) Here are the directions for downloading the Microsoft Teams app and how to join the meeting.

To Book Appointments:

You can make up to 5 appointments per week (1 appointment per day). Appointments are run through Microsoft Teams.

If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment for any reason, or if you would like to book additional appointments, please email us at writing@fgcu.edu.

Here are the directions for downloading the Microsoft Teams app and how to join your appointment meeting.

Appointments are available Monday - Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday 12pm-5pm.

Appointments

Drop-in Sessions:

Online drop-in sessions allow students to work with our writing consultants without first making an appointment. Drop-ins are first come, first served.

You will be added to our Drop-in Queue on Microsoft Teams; watch your Teams messages for your estimated wait time and for how to get connected to your session. We recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams app; here are the directions for downloading the Microsoft Teams app.

Please note: Signing in to the drop-in queue does not guarantee being seen by a writing consultant. If you would like to reserve a specific meeting time, we recommend booking an appointment.

Drop-ins are available Monday - Friday 10am-4:30pm; Saturday 12pm-4:30pm.

DROP-IN SESSION QUEUE

Online Writing Submissions:

We know that the semester gets hectic and it is not always easy to make it to a session with our Writing Consultants. For students who are unable to visit during our hours of operation, we offer online paper submissions!

Submit your paper, along with a session request form and your assignment guidelines, to our submission drop box (located in the online paper submission Canvas page). A Writing Consultants will thenuse your 30-minute session to make comments on the document and return it to you via email.

Submission will be reviewed during Writing Lab business hours and returned within 3 - 5 business days. Students who need their paper reviewed sooner are encouraged to book a Writing Lab appointment.

Online Writing Submissions

Policies
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General
- Assistance is available to all FGCU students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
- Writing consultants will work only with the writer - no exceptions. To do a session for a group paper, all members of the group must be present.
- The Writing Lab staff does not assist students with exams, take-home or otherwise.
- We can best assist you if you bring both your assignment and assignment guidelines. You can bring these in any format (printed, on your own computer, on a flash drive, saved online, etc.), whatever works best for you!
Appointments
- Appointments can be scheduled online at fgcu.accudemia.net. Appointments begin at their scheduled start time and last for 30 minutes. We ask that you arrive no more than 30 minutes before you scheduled start time.
- Back-to-back sessions are not permitted. We recommend that you take time between sessions to revise your work. If you have a lengthier assignment and would like to request extra time, contact the Writing Lab at writing@fgcu.edu. Back-to-back drop-in sessions may be considered if no other students are waiting for assistance. If you would like to wait for another session, you are welcome to work in The Swamp, our workspace for students.
- Final appointments begin 30 minutes before closing. If you arrive 30 minutes before closing and all consultants are assisting other students, you will need to schedule an appointment for another day and time.
- Students who miss 2 appointments without canceling will be blocked from making additional appointments for the remainder of the semester. Please make every effort to cancel an appointment ahead of time by emailing us promptly.
During a session
- Our consultants provide strategies and guidance to help students become more effective writers. Our goal is to help you improve your overall skills rather than only “fix” one specific paper.
- We are not a proofreading or editing service. However, we can assist with proofreading and editing strategies that help you learn to recognize and correct grammatical errors independently.
- While we are happy to help with brainstorming and idea development, we recommend that students who have questions about their assignment guidelines speak with their professor directly.
- Writing consultants can offer suggestions for revision based on a professor's comments; however, they will not predict, explain, or assess the validity of a grade on an assignment. We encourage students to take questions regarding grades directly to their professors.
Behavior in the Writing Lab
- During sessions, students are asked to refrain from using their cellphones.
- Students are expected to respect others at the Writing Lab. Individuals who fail to follow the directions of the staff or who engage in behavior such as academic dishonesty or disruptive conduct may be asked to leave and/or be subject to disciplinary action by the University.
- All visitors to the Writing Lab are expected to follow the FGCU Student Code of Conduct, which can be found here.
- While working in The Swamp, please work quietly so as not to disturb other students, and be mindful and respectful of the space.
Guided by our Mission, Vision, and Values
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Mission

It is the mission of the FGCU Writing Lab to encourage and support campus writers and writing communities through individual writing consultations, group workshops, presentations, discussions, and events that celebrate and foster writing.

Vision

The Writing Lab will act as a campus writing hub while embracing innovation and education to assist members of the FGCU community in becoming stronger writers and thinkers.

Values
1. Accompany FGCU students in the pursuit of academic expression through writing.
2. Promote critical thinking, foster skills development, and encourage collaboration in an open, supportive environment.
3. Help writers have confidence in themselves and in their writing.
4. Validate the power of the student's own voice.
5. Acknowledge that writing is a skill that students can improve on through guidance, practice, and perseverance.
6. Use our sessions with students to motivate, inspire, and encourage.

Student Resources

We're here to help you at every stage of the writing process!
Browse through our student resources, and let us know if you need more assistance.

Learn More

Faculty & Staff Resources

The Writing Lab offers faculty and staff the opportunity to observe a writing consultant to better understand our services and how they may help their students. Email writing@fgcu.edu for more details and to schedule a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a writing consultant help my students improve their writing skills?
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Writing Lab sessions are designed to assist writers in improving their ability to write and revise independently. Students are allowed one session a day, which allows students the time needed to revise. Students can make an appointment by visiting the link at the top of this page.

Writing Lab sessions focus on fostering confidence and overall writing skills rather than on simply correcting the unique errors in one specific paper. Writing consultants can help guide students in brainstorming, paper development, style, and mechanics, all based on the student's request, with a focus on making building the skills that will allow the student to feel confident working independently after their session ends.
How can I encourage my students to visit the Writing Lab?
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You can share the link to the Writing Lab website with your students and tell them about our hours of operation. You might also wish to bring your class to the Lab (especially during the first week or two of the semester) so they will know where it is located.

In addition, we will be happy to arrange a time for a writing consultant to visit your class to explain how the Writing Lab can help students improve their writing skills. Consultants can also present on specific writing issues to your class. For more information regarding a Writing Lab visit or a classroom visit, visit our Guest Presentation page.
How can I refer a student to the Writing Lab?
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The FGCU Writing Lab welcomes referrals, verbally or in writing, from any discipline. For our writing consultants to best assist your students, we ask that when you refer a student, you specify which areas of their writing you would like them to work on. If you refer a student and want to see if the student has completed a session, the student may share their session notes with you as proof of their visit.
How can I find out if one of my students has visited the Writing Lab?
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All students who visit the Writing Lab receive personalized session notes from their consultant, which detail what was worked on during the session. Students can access these notes through their Accudemia account at fgcu.accudemia.net and can share them with you as proof of their visit. Session notes are also emailed to the student's eagle email account.

Please note, as these session notes fall under FERPA protections, the Writing Lab is unable to send them directly to faculty members. Please reach out directly to your students to receive a copy of their session notes.
Can a Writing Lab staff member present in my class?
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Absolutely! If your class is struggling with a writing assignment or specific writing skills, a writing consultant can visit your classroom to deliver a presentation or facilitate a workshop. You can request a class presentation here.

For more information, email writing@fgcu.edu or call 239-590-7141.
Does the Writing Lab offer workshops? Can I require my students to attend?
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Each semester, the Writing Lab offers multiple workshops on topics that students, faculty, and writing consultants have identified as commonly requested areas of support for student writers. Workshops are typically an hour long, and students are not required to register in advance.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

You are welcome to require student attendance at these workshops; however, we ask that if you will be requiring an entire class to attend a workshop, please notify us so that we can make arrangements for an adequate space. Please email writing@fgcu.edu with the number of students you expect to attend.

You can also request for us to present our workshops in your class. You can request a class presentation here.
If I am teaching a distance learning course, can my students still utilize the Writing Lab?
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Yes. Students who are taking a distance learning course and who are unable to visit the Writing Lab in person may take advantage of our online sessions.

ONLINE SESSION
Are there teaching/writing resources for faculty?
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Faculty and staff are more than welcome to visit the Writing Lab for all of their writing-related needs. Additionally, please feel free to use any of our handouts in your classes or on your Canvas page. A list of our current handouts can be found Writing Lab Student Resources.

If you would like a resource we do not currently offer, please email writing@fgcu.edu to discuss how we can support you.

Writing Awards

Our annual awards recognize achievements in a variety of writing categories. Polish your prose and help celebrate excellence.

LEARN MORE

Our Location

Although we are working remotely now, the Writing Lab's physical location is in Library West 202. Enter the library through the Library West entrance, located alongside the ArtLab. You will see “Center for Academic Achievement” and “Writing Lab upstairs” on the glass doors. To your left will be the Center for Academic Achievement's main office. You can take either the stairs or the elevator across from the CAA to reach the second floor. The Writing Lab will be located straight ahead.

If you are looking at the entrance to Starbucks, go around the building to the right. The doors to Library West will now be on your left.

Kelsey Fischell

Writing Lab Coordinator

Library West 201A

239-590-7141
Email Us

Spring 2021 Online Appointment Hours

Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Saturday, 12:00pm - 5:00pm

WRITING Lab MAP