Writing Center
UNC Asheville’s home for Writing Center, Peer Tutoring, and Supplemental Instruction Services
Located in Ramsey Library, the University Writing Center supports writers in one-on-one consultations for any writing project, regardless of where you are in your writing process. We also offer subject tutoring from peer tutors chosen by their departments to support active learning; effective study skills; and courses in the natural sciences, languages, and social sciences.
In addition to one-on-one consultations, the University Writing Center also provides in-class workshops, a library of print writing resources, and useful online resources. Email writingcenter@unca.edu with any questions.
Note: If you do not receive an email confirming your appointment, please try again, as your appointment has not been booked.
What to Expect
Who should use the Writing Center?
We work with all types of writing from academic to creative and with all types of writers from the struggling to the brilliant. We work with you at all stages of the writing process from brainstorming a topic to drafting and developing ideas to polishing your grammar.
We can help you write:
- Introductions, supporting points, and conclusions
- A strong thesis and good research questions
- Science lab reports
- Literary masterpieces
How to make an appointment
A Writing Center appointment can give you an extra boost to help you tackle your writing assignments. We think of writing as a collaborative, social act. Before you write, you need to think. Talk to a thoughtful, intelligent, trained consultant who can help you jumpstart your thinking. You can schedule an appointment with a Writing Center Consultant by:
- Visiting our Schedule an Appointment page to book online
- Emailing us at writingcenter@unca.edu
- Visiting the Writing Center, located on the main floor of Ramsey Library, room 136
- Calling us at (828) 350-4557
Schedule an Appointment
Your First Appointment
All appointments in the Writing Center start at the top of the hour, so plan to arrive at that time. When you arrive, someone will greet you and ask you to fill out an intake form regarding what you would like to work on during your writing conference. You will then be introduced to your writing consultant and the two of you will sit down at either a table or one of our computers, depending on your needs. You and your writing consultant will work collaboratively on your assignment or project.
If you are working on a class assignment, it is helpful if you bring the assignment prompt so your writing consultant can understand the expectations for the assignment. Writing conferences last anywhere from ten to forty-five minutes. At the end of your conference, the writing consultant will ask you to fill out an exit form regarding your visit. If you would like to make a follow-up appointment before you leave, stop by the front desk and ask for another appointment. Students, alumni, and community members are allowed two sessions per week if available.
How to Prepare for Your First Appointment
Read the assignment prompt carefully and ask your professor any questions you may have regarding the assignment. Read, or begin reading, any useful texts. If you need research help, the reference desk is an excellent resource. You do not have to have a finished draft of your assignment to come to the Writing Center, we can help you regardless of where you are in the writing process! Be ready to engage in discussion about your writing, to receive advice about it, and to seek ways to improve it.
When to Schedule an Appointment
Feel free to come to the Writing Center at any stage of your writing process—from brainstorming a topic to polishing a final draft. The more time you can give us in advance of an assignment’s due date the better. Come early and come often!
What We Cannot Do
We are not able to read papers in advance of an appointment, and we do not provide last-minute proofreading or editing services.
Peer Tutoring & SI Schedule
Peer Tutoring & SI Schedule
All Tutoring takes place on the main floor of the Library outside of the Writing Center (unless noted otherwise). To meet with a tutor, you must make an appointment at least 8 hrs in advance.
- Accounting
- Astronomy
- Atmospheric Science
- Biology: BIO 134 Sessions, BIO 210 Principles of Zoology
- Chemistry: Tutoring, CHEM 132 CSI, CHEM 231 CSI. No appointment needed for Chemistry tutoring.
- Computer Science
- Economics & Finance
- French
- Math: Supplemental Instruction (Class-specific & No Appointment Needed)
- New Media: 3D Modeling and Animation
- Physics
- Psychology/Research Methods
- Spanish
Writing Center Policies
We strive to be available as possible for our community. In order to make sure of our availability, we ask that you limit the number of sessions per week to two. If you have difficulty scheduling an appointment, just send a note to writingcenter@unca.edu.
If you need to cancel your appointment for any reason, please give us 3 hours notice prior to the session. If you miss your session without notifying us, we will indicate in our records that you were a no-show. After two late cancellations or no-shows, you may lose your Writing Center privileges for a period of two weeks.
Note: If an emergency situation makes timely cancellation impossible, please call (828) 350-4557 as soon as possible.
Please be on time for your appointment. After 15 minutes, we will open your appointment to other students.
If you do not see an appointment available, email writingcenter@unca.edu. We may be able to add you to our waitlist and call or text you if an appointment opens up.
Please do not interrupt your Writing Center session with cell phone conversations or text messages.
Before bringing take-home exams to the Writing Center, please obtain permission from your professor. We will send a conference summary for all take-home exams brought to the Writing Center to your professor.
If you are an instructor and would like to request a specific assignment not be reviewed in the Writing Center, please email writingcenter@unca.edu.
At the Writing Center, we strive to help you learn to improve various aspects of your writing—from idea development and organization to grammar and mechanics. We will work with you to improve your own writing, proofreading, and editing skills, and with the goal of helping you learn. We want to help you learn to become your own best proofreader and editor.
UNC Asheville Alumni are welcome to use the University Writing Center. Call (828) 350-4557 or email writingcenter@unca.edu for an appointment.
The Writing Center is open to the entire community. If you have a writing project that you would like feedback on, or simply want to improve your writing, make an appointment in the Writing Center by calling (828) 350-4557 or email writingcenter@unca.edu. Please note that there will be times when we must prioritize sour students’ needs. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Become a Writing Consultant
Become a Writing Consultant
UNC Asheville’s Writing Center believes effectively communicating our ideas is our greatest tool to effect change, and the best way to improve our writing skills is together. We believe in our students’ ideas and work with them to develop the skills necessary to reach their audience while preserving the writer’s voice and ideas.
Job Description
Writing Consultants meet one-on-one with student writers from across campus to provide critical, constructive feedback on writing projects. Consultants work collaboratively with writers at any stage of a student’s writing process, including idea generation, finding and evaluating sources, and revising drafts. Consultants are expected to be peer leaders interested in the personal and professional development of themselves and others.
Available Positions
The Writing Center is not currently accepting applications for student writing consultant positions.
Application Requirements
Applicants must have completed at least one semester at UNC Asheville; visited the Writing Center one or more times; be able to complete a one-credit tutor training course; and be able to commit at least four semesters of work.
To apply, please email the following three documents to the University Writing Center at writingcenter@unca.edu.
- A resumé or CV
- A 3-5 page academic writing sample
- A cover letter describing your interest in becoming a writing consultant
- A short recommendation from a faculty member
Our Staff
Robert Bell
Director of the University Writing Center and Learning Support
Office: 136 Ramsey Library
Phone: (828) 251-6596
Email: rbell@unca.edu
Brenan Beresford
Learning Support Coordinator
Office: 136 Ramsey Library
Phone: (828) 251-6607
Email: cberesfo@unca.edu
Contact Us
136 Ramsey Library, CPO # 1500
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
Office: (828) 350-4557
Email: writingcenter@unca.edu