Writing center accepts e-mailed paper submissions

By NICOLE SOSZYNSKI

Students looking for feedback on their writing may submit written assignments to the University Writing Center via e-mail.

Jodie Butler, technology specialist for the University Writing Center, said a paper of two to three pages can be submitted via e-mail, then a student will receive general feedback on it. The feedback process takes 48 hours, so one should plan for this time period, she said.

Butler said students should try to meet with tutors for a face-to-face appointment before using the online submissions.

“Using an appointment is better because the tutor can sit down with the paper and fix the issues,” she said.

The University Writing Center Web site states that it offers help to students, staff and faculty for improving the written language to learn how to persuade readers, discuss topics or ideas and to use critical thinking in the written paper.

Papers from any class can be submitted through e-mail, however papers for the process English classes such as 102, 103, 104 and 105, cannot be submitted online, Butler said.

The University Writing Center also added a link on its Web site for the center’s Facebook and MySpace pages, Butler said. She added these pages are a recent addition to the Web site.

“The pages are here if students are trying to figure out a quick AP question and it is late because it takes a few minutes to answer them,” she said.

Alexandra Simane, senior undecided major, said she believes the use of e-mail submissions can help students with the proofreading process, and that proofreading is vital when it comes to effective writing.

“It would be helpful because your writing is very subjective, so you need others to look at it,” she said.

Tanya Cipriani, sophomore marketing major, said e-mail submissions could be very useful for a quick feedback response. Also it may be easier for some students to receive constructive criticism electronically.

“It’s easy feedback, so you don’t have to do it in person because it’s hard to take a critique when the person is in front of you,” Cipriani said.

The University Writing Center is located in Stevenson Towers South. Students may call 815-753-6636 to make an appointment.