On-campus Services for Students
Writing Conferences
A writing consultant will respond to questions and concerns about your writing assignments.
Questions
We'll be happy to answer questions about APA, grammar, punctuation, or usage.
Word Processing Instruction
Microsoft Word, 2003 and 2007 versions.
Text Resources
APA style manual, dictionary, thesaurus, grammar and rhetoric guides, research
writing guides.
ESL Coaching
Students whose native language is not English can develop their English writing
and speaking skills.
Courses and Workshops
The Writing Center offers four 1-credit elective writing courses. For details,
see the SMU Course Schedule or visit the Courses and Workshops page on this
site.
Publications
Introduction to the APA and Other Writing Tips for Graduate Students — Printed copies of this publication can be purchased in the University
bookstore for $5.50. You can also download
a PDF version of this guide.
Undergraduate Writing Guide for Bachelor Completion Programs — Copies of this publication can be purchased at the University bookstore for $4.50.
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Off-campus Services for Students
Consulting by E-mail or Telephone
You can submit your paper and receive feedback by e-mail. Here is how the process works.
- Send your paper as an e-mail attachment. (If you don't know how, click here.)
- In the body of your e-mail, type the questions you want answered. Remember that we do not proofread papers, so you will need to direct our attention to the aspects of the paper that concern you.
- Be sure to give your telephone number in your e-mail message and include the area code.
- Tell us the name of your program (major).
- Send your e-mail to tcwrite@smumn.edu
- After we have read your e-mail, we will send a response by e-mail. Responses often include electronic notes in the margins of your document, and will we send a document with instructions for managing the electronic notes.
- If, after seeing our response, you have follow-up questions or want a more interactive response, you can call our toll-free number (1-866-437-2788, ext. 154).
There may be several appointments ahead of your request, so we may need a day or two to respond during our busy times.
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Policies
Editing/Proofreading
Writing Center consultants do not edit (proofread) papers. We will answer questions and provide feedback on sections or aspects of a paper; however, we will not locate and correct errors for you. You must take an active role in the review process and assume responsibility for final decisions. For doctoral students wishing to hire editors, we provide a list of contacts (click here).
Plagiarism
We will help you avoid plagiarism, but we will not respond to papers that contain deliberate plagiarisms or to research papers for which you do not provide sources or documentation.
Number of Consultations
You may have one consultation per week (maximum of 1 hour each) and two reponses per paper when appointments are available. Questions or papers submitted by e-mail receive responses in the order of submission date and time, and as time is available.
Preparation
For consultations in the Writing Center please bring the following:
1. a printed copy of your paper
2. an electronic copy of your paper
3. your instructor's guidelines for the assignment
4. the style manual for your program
5. research sources, if you have citation questions
6. a data storage device (diskette or flash drive) |
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Make an Appointment
