Writing Services has a referral form available to all faculty and staff. While working with a writing coach is an optional service for students, the referral form helps Writing Services support students by allowing the department to:
The service request form allows faculty and staff to request services from Writing Services staff members. Services include but are not limited to:
Submitting a service request form will provide Writing Services with the information needed to determine the available staff and resources. Availability is based on a "first-come-first-served" basis, so please provide sufficient time for planning and preparation.
Each semester, Writing Services hosts drop-in hours which are best used for quick questions about writing or the resources available through the website. Individuals with questions that require further support should schedule an appointment with one of our writing coaches.
WHEN: Thursdays from 11am-12:00 pm (Pacific Time)
WHERE: Online via Zoom at https://tcsedsystem.zoom.us/j/95956801238
The answer is surprisingly simple...anything! In alignment with Writing Services' mission statement and Saybrook values, writing coaches provide individualized support to students, no matter where they are at in the writing process. Students may come to a session with an outline, half-finished paper, completed document, or a paper that has feedback from the instructor.
While each session may cover different topics, in each session the writing coach will ask the student what their priorities are for the session. Essentially, writing coaches support the student in developing their writing process to help set them up for success, not just for their current assignment, but for their whole academic career.
Writing coaches do not provide line-by-line editing. Writing Services seeks to support students in developing their writing skills. During coaching sessions, the student retains ownership of their work and the writing coach serves as a guide through the writing process. Editing services are limited to students who have successfully defended their completed dissertation and have begun dissertation finalization for degree conferral.
In order to maintain confidentiality, this request must come from the student. The student may choose to disclose information about their sessions as they find appropriate. Students may request this by contacting the center at writingservices@saybrook.edu.
Yes! Encourage the student to come to Writing Services or complete a referral form. Writing coaches are available all year (excluding holidays) and have a high amount of availability in "off seasons" such as the summer term. In between semesters, our writing coaches can either (1) review previous work that the student submitted, (2) help the student process/implement instructor feedback, and (3) aid the student in preparing for their upcoming semester.
Our writing coaches are part-time staff and/or federal work-study students. Because of this, the schedule is limited to our current staffing and availability. Students should remember that during busy points in the semester (midterms, finals, etc.) will be more difficult to get appointments.
Writing Services requires that students schedule appointments 48 hours in advance to allow sufficient time to coordinate with their writing coach. In addition, students are limited to one session per week.
Availability is on a first-come-first-served basis. As such, it is recommended that faculty encourage students to sign up for appointments in advance. The writing coach schedule opens before the start of each semester and is open until the day before the start of the next term. Students can schedule appointments with a writing coach in advance. Appointments can be modified or moved closer to the date of the session. The student does not need a final draft to create an appointment or work with a writing coach.
Writing Services is unable to provide editing services before the completion of the final oral defense. Students may contact writingservices@saybrook.edu to be provided with a list of Saybrook-approved external editors who set their own rates for the services they provide. Prior to degree conferral, all students may schedule an appointment with a writing coach (one per week). Writing coaches do not provide line-by-line editing services, but they may work with dissertation students by guiding them through the writing process, helping implement feedback from the committee, or supporting them in revising and editing their documents.
All students receive editing services through Dissertation Services after completing their oral defense.
Dissertation finalization is part of Dissertation Services. To begin working with an editor, a student must have a final, committee-approved document and be enrolled in the ALL9000 Dissertation Finalization course. Instructions are provided within ALL9000 on how to initiate the process of working with an editor. Dissertation Services may be contacted at dissertationservices@saybrook.edu
Writing Services currently houses a limited number of subscriptions to Recite. Recipients of the subscription are determined by the Academic Affairs Leadership Council (AALC). However, no other subscriptions are housed by Writing Services. Starting in Fall 2024, Saybrook provides students and faculty access to Grammarly. RefWorks is available through the Saybrook Library. Questions about using and accessing RefWorks can be sent to saylibrary@saybrook.edu. Questions about other subscriptions (including Recite) can be directed to writingservices@saybrook.edu.
Writing Services currently provides access to:
Faculty, staff, and students can also contact us at writingservices@saybrook.edu. Expect a response within 1-2 business days.