General FAQs
- When should I go to the Writing Center?
- What should I expect when I go to the Writing Center?
- What if I don't have anything written yet?
- Are there other writing resources available at Pitt?
- Where is the writing center located?
- Where are the satellite locations? When are they open?
- Other than the times listed, does the writing center ever close?
- How do I arrange to speak with a consultant?
- Who do I contact about the Writing Center?
When should I go to the Writing Center?
Suppose you're writing a paper for one of your classes and you find yourself wondering:
- Will what I've written make sense to the audience I've chosen?
- Have I done what the assignment asks me to do?
- Are there parts that are unclear?
- Have I left something important unsaid or included too much?
- How do I give credit to the sources I've used?
- Can I make sure that there aren't a lot of grammar mistakes?
- How can I revise my writing given the comments my instructor has made?
A consultant at the Writing Center can help you find the answers to these and other questions when you are writing.
Keep in mind that the consultant's role is to provide support and guidance, not to correct your writing for you or tell you what to write.
What should I expect when I go to the Writing Center?
There are no grades, no homework, and no grammar drills at the Writing Center. Instead, you will be asked to identify why you've come to the Center, what sort of paper you're working on, and when it is due. Then you and the consultant will discuss your concerns as well as any added suggestions that the consultant might have.
What if I don't have anything written yet?
Come to the Writing Center with whatever you have: notes, scribbles, ideas, worries. You and your consultant can work from where you are to where you want to be.
Are there other writing resources available at pitt?
To learn about Pitt writing contests, online writing resources, and the drafting and revising process, please visit Pitt's Writing Across the Curriculum site.
Where is the Writing Center?
The Writing Center is in room M-2 of Thaw Hall. Thaw is located on O'Hara Street between Engineering Hall and the Space Research Coordination Center (SRCC).
There are two ways to get to Thaw Hall and the Writing Center:
- If you enter through Engineering Hall (EH), take the elevator just inside the door to M and follow the signs. (This route is easier for people who are using a wheelchair or crutches.)
- If you enter through the SRCC, take the stairs or elevator to the third floor, go through the double doors on your right, and follow the signs.
Where are the satellite locations? When are they open?
During the fall and spring terms the following writing center satellite sites are open. **Satellite locations are closed during the summer term.
| Location | Day and Time |
|---|---|
Hillman Library |
Tuesday: 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Thursday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. |
| Tower A 12th Floor Lounge |
Wednesday: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
NOTE: You must bring your Pitt ID to gain entrance into the buildings. Appointments are not necessary at these locations.
Other than the times listed, does the Writing Center ever close?
The writing center is closed during the following times of the year:
How do I arrange to speak with a Writing Center consultant?
To arrange a one-on-one session with a writing center consultant, you can reserve a time online. If you have difficulty with the system, call 412-624-6556 for an appointment. Appointments are 25 minutes long, starting on the half-hour. You can also drop in during our operating hours. If a consultant is available, you'll be seen right away.
Who are the Writing Center administrators?
The Writing Center / English Department M-2 Thaw Hall 412-624-6556 |
|
| Geeta Kothari Director mano@pitt.edu 412-624-5663 |
Jean Grace Associate Director jgrace@pitt.edu 412-624-5661 |
| Beth Newborg Outreach Coordinator bateman@pitt.edu 412-624-6556 |
Ellen Smith Writers' Café Coordinator ems9@earthlink.net 412-624-6556 |