By Susan Guiher, Director
What is the Writing
Studio?
Ashland University established a Writing Center, now called
Writing Studio, 25 years ago. It was
created for students to have a place to write papers on word processors and to
get writing advice at the same time.
Throughout the years, the Writing Studio has become the hub of academic
writing, and we continue to welcome all student writers to the RIGHT place to
WRITE, 104 Bixler, where students are advised on writing assignments by Writing
Assistants (WAs) who have written papers for courses across the curriculum (see
WA expertise). The Writing Studio
averages 1,000 appointments per semester, so there must be some good reason
students come to 104 Bixler!
Who are the Writing
Assistants?
Writing Assistants (WAs) are sophomore, junior, and senior
students who are skilled writers and represent a variety of majors/minors and
core courses; they are hired upon recommendation from professors; WAs work in
the Writing Studio as writing advisors for courses they have completed; WAs
share strategies on how to read and synthesize a text, take notes, outline,
gather information, cite sources, and craft papers. Best of all, WAs are voices of experience,
able and willing to guide all writers through the process of developing college
papers. WAs also are lab assistants for
English 110, a one-hour credit taken concurrently with English I & II. (English 110 is in the University catalog
and can be added as an elective via Web Advisor; contact the Director to learn
more about the Writing Lab.)
How to Make an
Appointment:
Appointments are scheduled in the Writing Studio in 104
Bixler, Center for the Humanities (across from the student center). As soon as a writing assignment is given, the
student should go to the Studio to make an appointment with a WA who has taken
that course and accomplished its writing assignment(s). The voice-of-experience WA knows what the
professor expects and can coach the process of writing. Each WA posts a list of courses and
professors so a student can easily match her or his assignment with the
appropriate WA. Appointments must be
made 24 hours in advance; the Studio’s door is open 8-9 M-Th; 8-4 F.
Writing Studio
Intent:
Our purpose is not to improve grades, but to assist student
writers in their efforts to improve and to polish writing skills. We want accomplished writers as well as less
confident writers to make appointments in the Writing Studio; because WAs are
top-notch writers who enjoy sharing their expertise with other writers, WAs
will challenge the best writers to be even better.
