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Writing Center Online

 

Welcome to the Writing Center Online!

 

Our online consultation service can be a great way to get feedback on your writing or research project if you can't make it in for a face-to-face consultation.

 

We are happy to schedule online consultations for any stage of your writing or research process.  Just as in the "real" Writing Center, you don't have to have any thing written to use the "online" Center.  You can have an online consultation just to brainstorm ideas and find your best starting points. 

 

Making Online Appointments
You may make an online consultation by calling the Campus Learning Center at 827-8108 or by stopping by our reception desk outside the Writing Center (first floor, Hibbs Hall).  Make sure that you request an online consulation specifically and provide your e-mail address. You will be asked to send a confirmation e-mail to VCUwritingcenteronline@gmail.com after you schedule your appointment. This e-mail confirmation is necessary to set up the electronic features we need to create an online consultation. The links below will provide more detail about how online consultations work and what you might expect from them.

 

How Does it Work?
We use a combination of Google Docs and Google Chat to facilitate online consultations, which occur in real time. Further instructions are included in the link below.

 

What's the Difference?
In the online consulation, we aim to preserve the conversational nature of the writing consulations. While this is possible in the virtual environment just as it is in any electronic chat, it does create some challenges. If you choose an online consultation, please bear a few things in mind:

• Be patient. Online consultation are generally longer and slower-paced than in person consultations because of the restraints of electronic chat.
• Be involved! Since this is a real time exchange, both the consultant and the writer will participate. So expect to hold up your end of the conversation!

Editing and proofreading? Nah. Not so much. While online consulations are great for brainstorming, further developing your ideas and discussing organization, they are not good for editing and proofreading papers. You need to come in to the Center for that sort of attention.

 

 

Thanks from the Writing Center!

 

WCO Instructions |Using Google Chat and Google Docs