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Who is the Writing Centre for?

The Writing Centre would first be open to students for school-related writing assignments and

job/college applications and essays. Then, as peer tutors and community volunteers become more

familiar with their duties, the centre would be open to students, staff, and administrators alike, for help

with professional and creative writing.

Why does the Writing Centre matter?

Because when students are writing, many find it difficult to accurately critique their own work. It is

indeed difficult to see ones work through the eyes of ones audience instead of oneself, and peer tutors

in the Writing Centre can offer a non-biased constructive opinion to struggling writers.

Who works in the Writing Centre?

Ideally, students selected by teachers of all disciplines (though especially English and Social Studies,

where the most writing is done) at all levels (it is imperative that students reflect a cross-section of the

school: from all grade levels and from academic, pre-AP, AP, and dual credit classes) would enroll in a

class similar to the independent study. They would meet during their designated period (each period

having three or more tutors) in the Writing Centre, with the first week dedicated to training. A teacher

or other professional (or, as may be necessary, volunteer) will supervise and guide these students. These

students would be selected not only on writing skill and understanding of mechanics and usage of

English but interpersonal skills, motivation to learn and teach, and leadership/potential leadership.

What can the Writing Centre do for students?

Peer tutors will have the opportunity to become better leaders and better learners as they learn more

about cooperation with their peers on a semi-professional level. Students who use the facility maybenefit from a low-pressure environment where they are working with their peers rather than a

teacher.

What can the Writing Centre do for teachers?

The Writing Centre can help take pressure off teachers, who may have classes of 30 or more students at

a time. It is unrealistic to expect these teachers to show equal attention to each student, so having the

Writing Centre spreads the workload a bit and allows teachers to focus more on the students who need

them. The Writing Centre may also serve as a venue for community writers to give workshops to

teachers of all disciplines on how to encourage practical writing in the classroom and how to give real-

world examples of the importance of writing, especially in STEM classes where writing is not emphasized

as an important skill.

What can the Writing Centre do for administrators?

How can we fund the Writing Centre?

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There are grants for this kind of thing, and operations funding could come from the English dept.

budget. If necessary, a fundraiser could be organized.