By: Michael Gallant, MA, PhD Candidate, Academic Skills Program Coordinator
Myth 1: Consulting with a writing advisor is somehow cheating.
Not at all.
The Student Success Centre offers writing advising to all McMaster students. Professors and teaching assistants know about us and recognize the value of the support we offer. We also understand academic integrity and will not compromise a student’s writing assignment in any way.
Working with a writing advisor is like having a personal trainer. You could go to the gym and try to figure out the various machines and exercise routines yourself, or you can hire an expert and learn more quickly.
Myth 2: Writing advisors will fix your writing assignment.
We don’t fix assignments.
Writing advisors do not correct, revise, or edit a student’s writing assignment. We work with students to identify possible areas of improvement including flow, coherence, clarity, and other concerns that take away from the effectiveness of your writing.
Basically, we help you improve your own assignments.
Myth 3: Meeting with a writing advisor will get you an A+ grade.
It’s possible.
It’s more realistic to expect an improved writing submission that could result in a higher grade. Writing advisors do not evaluate papers and cannot predict how a submission will be assessed by a professor or teaching assistant.
Myth 4: Writing projects must be fully developed before a writing advisor will meet with a student.
Nope.
A writing advisor can help students at every stage of the writing process, from discussing general ideas about a project all the way to final revisions.
Myth 5: Writing advisors will judge you.
Of course not!
Many students are self-conscious about their writing and worry that writing advisors will be overly critical. Helping students improve their writing skills is our job! Besides, we’ve been there ourselves — we had to learn how to write at a university level, too. We are more than happy to share our expertise.
Myth 6: You only need to meet with a writing advisor once.
Not necessarily.
For some students, a single consultation is all they need. Other students may benefit from follow-up appointments. Many graduate and undergraduate students continue to work with their writing advisors over the course of a semester, a year, or throughout their entire degree.
We’re here for you for as long as you need us.
Myth 7: Writing advising is only for inexperienced writers.
Hardly!
Any level of writer, from absolute beginner to seasoned researcher, can benefit from our service.
This myth is closely related to the mistaken idea that writers work in isolation. Research shows that being a part of a learning community — a group of people working and studying together — is especially beneficial for writers. Working with other writers can improve your writing skills, increase your productivity and build your confidence.
Myth 8: The writing advisor will change or take over my way of writing.
That’s not what we do.
The way you write is an expression of who you are, and how you express yourself is as personal as the way you think. Writing advisors help students develop the skills necessary to communicate their ideas in a way that is compelling and unique.
We’re not interested in changing the way you express yourself. We’re interested in helping you express yourself as clearly as possible through your writing.
Myth 9: Writing advisors only help with essays.
We do much more than that.
Writing is writing! And we’re happy to help with whatever writing project you are working on: reports, cover letters, literature reviews, creative writing — you name it! If a project involves writing, we’ve got you covered.
Myth 10: Writing advisors are familiar with your writing assignments and your program.
We’re not.
It’s unlikely that the writing advisor you consult with knows your program or your professor’s expectations regarding an assignment. However, we all have a solid general knowledge of academic assignments and typical learning objectives.
If you’re working on a specific assignment, be sure to bring the guidelines to the consultation. Your writing advisor can help you understand your professor’s expectations to make sure you are meeting all the requirements of a particular task.
Writing advising appointment types
Writing advisors are upper-year undergraduate or graduate students who help identify areas of improvement and teach you essential writing strategies. The Writing Centre provides personalized one-on-one support based on your needs.
- Ideal for specific questions
- Help with documentation, academic style
- Preliminary stages of writing (planning, general organization)
- Suitable for larger and more general questions
- Discussions about writing in general, structure, organization
- Close examination of a prepared document