What is the Writing Centre?
The Writing Centre is staffed by friendly VIU faculty tutors interested in talking about any aspect of your writing, whether it's clear writing, thesis statements, citation and documentation, grammar, or organizing an argument. Even if you just want to discuss an assignment before you get started (or at any other stage in the writing process), the Writing Centre is the place to come. The Writing Centre is also home to a tutor from International Academic Support whose focus is on English language learning for international students (but we are happy to see international students too). For more information on the Writing Centre, check out our introductory video.
This service is free for registered VIU students.
Choose how you meet with a tutor:
- face-to-face in person
- online meeting
- asynchronous (you attach a document to the appointment; we look at it and reattach with our comments).
Help provided
- Tutors will help you with all stages of the writing process, but they won’t proofread your essay for you.
- Tutors will teach you the skills to proofread your essay.
- Resources are available for your use. Feel free to come in and use the reference material.
- Tutors will not discuss grades or help you with any examination material, including take-home exams.
- After multiple appointments on the same essay, tutors reserve the right to withdraw assistance at their discretion to ensure that the essay remains your own work.
- Information from your instructor always takes precedence over information from a Writing Centre tutor.
How to access our services
Book a 25-minute in-person or online appointment up to 12 days ahead. You need to create an account the first time you use the booking website. Need help? Find step-by-step instructions in our How to Book a Tutor video. Are you studying at Cowichan or tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus? There are Writing Centres there as well. Check out the Cowichan Writing Centre or iwšɛmawtxʷ Writing Centre websites for full details.
We also offer online workshops to assist with a range of academic issues. Check back for upcoming dates or check out our academic writing handouts for guidance.
Appointments
- Sign up for or cancel appointments
- Appointments are 25 minutes long
- Available time slots show up as white boxes (click on the box corresponding to the time, day, and tutor you want)
- You are allowed two appointments a week to give you time to make progress on your essay
- You can cancel an appointment up to 25 minutes before the appointment start time (click on the appointment slot and select Cancel This Appointment)
- If you’re five minutes late for an appointment, any student can claim that appointment
- Three no-shows result in no more appointments for the rest of the semester
Location
Find us on the fourth floor of VIU Library at Nanaimo campus in Building 305.
Hours
We offer appointments on weekdays during the daytime.
Contact us
Email: WritingCentre@viu.ca
Tel: 250-740-6330.