Make a Summer Writing Center Appointment

Setting Up Your Account

To schedule an individual writing appointment, you will need to set up an account through our online scheduler, WCOnline. To create an account:

  • Click on the “Make an Appointment” button
  • Use your UW-Madison NetID to create an account

Once your account is created, you will be linked to the online scheduler. If you have trouble registering, please call the Writing Center at (608) 263-1992.

Make an Appointment!

What Kind of Writing Appointment Do You Need?

We help undergraduate and graduate writers at any stage of the writing process—from choosing a topic to drafting and revising—for any writing project. Each year, more than six thousand students from across the university—from first-year through doctoral students—benefit from talking and working with a Writing Center instructor. Learn more about the types of appointments we offer and find out which appointment is right for you.

Our temporary main center is located at 6191 Helen C. White Hall (600 North Park Street). Our appointments often booked up several days in advance, so please plan ahead.

In-Person Meetings are recommended if…

  • You want to meet with a Writing Center instructor in-person.
  • You want to collaborate and talk with a Writing Center instructor about your writing.
  • You want ideas on how to improve your writing process.
  • You want guidance about an ongoing or longer project.

Directions: Helen C. White Hall is across the street from the Memorial Union and Science Hall, on Lake Mendota.

  • Enter the building to the left of College Library’s entrance.
    • The Writing Center cannot be accessed from within College Library.
  • Take the elevator up to the sixth floor.
  • At the sixth floor, turn left, and then turn left down the corridor.
  • The summer Writing Center is located in room 6191, which is the first door on the right.

Virtual Meetings offer real-time, face-to-face appointments in WCOnline, our online appointment system. Virtual Meetings allow us to collaborate with you through:

  • a whiteboard where you and your instructor can view and comment on your writing
  • conversation through video/audio
  • a chat area for synchronous, written conversation

The whiteboard and chat area remain available to you after the appointment.  

Virtual Meetings are recommended if…

  • You’ve enjoyed meeting in-person with Writing Center instructors.
  • You are unable to attend an In-Person Meeting.
  • You have a reliable internet connection.

Learn more about Virtual Meetings.

Written Feedback appointments allow you to receive written comments and suggestions from a Writing Center instructor. After uploading your draft into WCOnline, along with information about your assignment or writing project, you will receive written feedback the next business day following your appointment. This feedback will remain available to you after your appointment.

Written Feedback appointments are recommended if…

  • You have a draft that you’d like to receive feedback and writing lessons on asynchronously
  • You live in a different time zone that makes scheduling a Virtual Meeting difficult or impossible.
  • Your internet connection is unreliable.

Learn more about Written Feedback.

We work with writers on everything from thesis statements and organization to grammar and citation methods. We will also be glad to teach you to edit and proofread your own writing. If you have questions, read our FAQ or skim through the topics below. Still have questions? Email us!

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What happens during a Writing Center appointment?

During an appointment, we will talk about your goals, review your writing, have a conversation about what next steps you might take, and provide you with writing lessons. After your visit, you’ll leave ready to write or revise!

  • You and your instructor will work together to meet your writing goals
  • Together, you’ll review the prompt, plan, or project
  • Together, you’ll read and talk about your draft or ideas
  • You’ll leave with concrete plans or writing strategies

Who can use the Writing Center?

Any UW-Madison graduate and undergraduate student who is currently enrolled can use the Writing Center.

If you’re a recent alumnus, faculty, or staff member at UW, we’d love to see you at our workshops and other events. We can sometimes offer limited one-on-one writing consultations with alumni, faculty, and staff. Please call us directly to discuss this option.

If you’re a member of the community not directly affiliated with UW-Madison, please visit our Madison Writing Assistance webpage to learn more about the Writing Center’s partnership with Madison libraries

Do I have to pay to use the Writing Center?

No, all of our services are offered for free. Tuition from currently enrolled UW-Madison students funds the Writing Center.

How should I prepare for a visit to the Writing Center?

Here’s how to make the most of your visits:

  • Come early in the semester and come often–make us a regular part of your university experience!
  • Know what writing concerns you’d like us to work on together
  • Bring anything that explains the assignment or project
  • Plan time for revision

What kinds of writing can we work on?

We help writers at any stage of the writing process–from choosing a topic to drafting and revising–for any writing project.

Here are some examples of what we can work on together:

Undergraduate Students

  • Understanding assignments and expectations for academic writing
  • Writing for specific disciplines—including History, Biology, Psychology, and Literature—and many more
  • Using sources, citations, quoting, and paraphrasing
  • Thesis statements, paragraphing, and organization
  • Internship and study abroad applications
  • Planning for writing longer research papers
  • Resumes, cover letters, and business writing
  • Applications for graduate and professional school, scholarships
  • Poster presentations
  • Plus many more!

Graduate Students

  • Seminar papers
  • Planning long-term projects
  • Revising for publication
  • Writing and planning for preliminary/qualifying exams
  • Theses and dissertations
  • Grant proposals
  • Poster presentations
  • Conference presentations
  • CVs, teaching philosophy statements, and job letters
  • Literature reviews
  • Plus many more!

What if I'm working on a longer project?

If you’re working on multiple papers for multiple classes throughout the semester, a dissertation, master’s thesis, or similar writing project, you may want to set up regular appointments with the same Writing Center instructor. You can book appointments with your preferred instructor two weeks in advance.

Where is the Writing Center?

Our temporary main location is in 6191 Helen C White Hall. You can make an appointment at our main location using our online scheduler. If you need help, call us at 608-263-1992.

How often can I visit the Writing Center?

Two visits per week. This limit lets us serve as many writers as possible!

Want more? Come to one of our great workshops.

Who are the instructors at the Writing Center?

Writing Center instructors are experienced writing teachers who want to help you learn more about writing. The Writing Center instructors are:

  • Doctoral-level teaching assistants
  • Trained and experienced writing teachers and writers themselves
  • Supportive, professional consultants who take their cues from you
  • Eager to work with you on making your writing projects as successful as humanly possible

Read more about them!

Can I bring my laptop/tablet?

Yes! Please do!

Will the instructor proofread/edit my paper?

Writing Center instructors are experienced writing teachers who want to help you learn more about writing. Because of our focus on student learning, we don’t proofread (correct all the grammar and formatting errors in a piece of writing), but we do help you learn about grammar, editing, revising, and proofreading on your own!

Here’s what we can do:

  • You can learn how to revise and proofread your paper.
  • You can ask any grammar and editing questions.
  • And you can learn to do this for yourself!

For additional strategies for addressing grammar and style concerns—and much more—take a look at our Writer’s Handbook.

You may be interested in our grammar and style workshops.

You may also find it helpful to start with these links:

Writing Isn’t Easy, but We Can Help!

At the Writing Center, we work with students at all stages, from first-year undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates. Most of these students have found that writing isn’t an innate talent and instead is a skill that they need to consistently develop. Watch the quick video below to hear from Writing Center students about their experiences with writing.