Writing Lab | Florida Gulf Coast University

Build Confidence in Your Writing

We're here to help students become more confident writers. Take advantage of our one-on-one sessions with expert writing consultants, on-demand presentations on a range of writing-related topics, and our broad selection of handouts developed specifically for the FGCU community.

Writing Lab Fall 2024

Fall Hours Are Monday - Thursday 10:00am to 6:00pm
Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm

*Writing Lab services are available on days when classes are in session

To Book Appointments:

Work one-on-one with one of our Writing Consultants on the questions and areas of your writing that you want to focus on. Your Writing Consultant can help at any stage of the writing process, from reviewing guidelines and brainstorming initial ideas to making grammar revisions and formatting citations.

Appointments are run in-person at the Writing Lab in Library West 201 and online 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.

Appointments

Drop-in Sessions:

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

In-person, you will sign in to the drop-in queue at the Writing Lab in Library West 201 and a Writing Consultant will assist you as soon as one is available.

Online, you can join our Drop-in Queue via the link below (Link becomes active on the first day of services for the semester).

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. Sessions are not offered on days when classes are not in session.

Drop-ins begin when tutoring starts each day. Final drop-in sessions begin 30-minutes before tutoring ends, pending availability.

ONLINE 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 then use 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 currently enrolled in at least 1 credit hour.
- Writing consultants will work only with the original author of a work. 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. If you are uncertain is an assignment counts for an exam, email your professor to determine whether or not they allow the assignment to be brought to the Writing Lab.
- 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!
- Please do not email writing consultants directly. All requests for sessions and assistance should be sent to writing@fgcu.edu. Appointments, drop-in sessions, and online submissions can be accessed using the links above.
Appointments
- Appointments can be scheduled online at Appointment Manager. 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 our lab space between sessions.
- 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. You are able to cancel appointments yourself or you can call or email to have the appointment canceled.
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. Students seeking assistance are expected to stay and work with the writing consultant for the duration of the session.
- While we are happy to help with brainstorming and idea development, we recommend that students who have questions about their specific assignment guidelines and rubrics 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.
- While working in the Writing Lab spaces, 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 CAA 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 share them with you as proof of their visit. Session notes are emailed to the student's eagle email account.

Please note, the Writing Lab will not send session notes directly to faculty members. Please reach out directly to your students to receive a copy of their session notes.
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 online submissions through our Canvas page. Click the link below for more information.

ONLINE WRITING SUBMISSIONS
Are there teaching/writing resources for faculty?
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Faculty and staff are invited 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.

Our Location

The Writing Lab is located in Library West 202. Enter the library through the Library West entrance, located alongside the ArtLab. 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 is through the double doors.

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

Kelsey Fischell

Academic Support Coordinator I

Library West 202A

239-745-4406
Email Us

WRITING Lab MAP