Make a Writing Appointment

Visit our Summer 2023 Make an Appointment page for more information about our summer offerings.

Setting Up Your Account

To schedule an individual writing appointment, you will need to set up an account through our scheduling software, WCOnline. It’s easy to do! Click on the “Make an Appointment” button to register with WCOnline using your UW-Madison NetID. Once registered, 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?

The Writing Center supports undergraduate and graduate writers with writing of all kinds, at all stages, and across all disciplines. During an appointment, we will talk with you about your goals, review your writing with you, and discuss next steps you might take. In the process, we can help you learn more about everything from thesis statements and organization to grammar and citation methods.

Learn more about the types of appointments we offer and find out which appointment is right for you. Click for a downloadable PDF showing our services for students.

Our main location with the largest staff is located at 6171 Helen C. White Hall (600 North Park Street). We see students by appointment at this location, and we’re often booked up several days in advance, so please plan ahead. Currently enrolled UW-Madison students can make appointments online.

Directions: Helen C. White Hall is across the street from the Memorial Union and from Science Hall, on Lake Mendota. Take the stairs or elevators located to the left of the entrance to College Library. (The Writing Center cannot be accessed from within College Library.) Upon reaching the sixth floor, turn left (from the stairs) or right (from the elevator), and then turn right down the corridor. The Writing Center is the first door on the left.

Check out this video to learn more about In-Person Appointments and see a demonstration of where we’re located.

Sign up for a same-day appointment with an instructor at one of the Writing Center’s satellite locations by logging into WCOnline using the button above. Appointments may be available on a drop-in basis as well.

Our Writing Center satellite locations begin operating in Week 4 of the semester, which means that this spring, satellite appointments will start on Sunday, February 12, 2023. These will continue through Thursday, May 4, 2023. All Writing Center locations and services will be closed for UW-Madison’s spring recess, beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 10 and extending through Sunday, March 19. Services will resume on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Satellites Across Campus

Locations

Black Cultural Center

You’ll find us in the Red Gym on the first floor. Look for the Writing Center sign!

Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
February 15–May 2

Center for Cultural Enrichment

We’re in Witte Hall, Room 125, off the main lobby. Look for us at a table with the Writing Center sign!

Mondays, 6:15–9:15 p.m.
February 13–May 1

We are also available in Witte Hall, Classroom 106 on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, from 6:15–9:15 p.m.

Multicultural Student Center

We’re at the Red Gym, Second Floor, MSC Student Org Suite. Look for the Writing Center sign!

Tuesdays, 1–4 p.m.
February 14–May 2

Chadbourne Residential College

Find us in the CRC Tutoring Room 112, which is located on the first floor, just inside main doors after you enter the atrium. If you're not sure where to go, ask at the information desk.

Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 6:15–9:15 p.m.
February 12–May 4

Dejope Residence Hall

We’re in the Tutoring Room 1116. Look for our sign! If you're not sure where to go, ask at the Hall Desk.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 6:15–9:15 p.m.
February 13–May 4

Witte Residence Hall

We are located in Classroom 106 in Witte. Look for the Writing Center sign! If you're not sure where to go, ask at the Hall Desk.

Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, 6:15–9:15 p.m.
February 12–May 3

We are also available to meet in Witte Hall on Monday evenings, 6:15-9:15 p.m., in the Center for Cultural Enrichment (Room 125, which is off the main lobby).

College Library

We are located in the student services area on the first floor of College Library, to the right of the entrance and behind the main information desk.

Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, 6:15–9:15 p.m.
February 12–May 3

Memorial Library

Find us on the 6th floor of Memorial Library, at the round table near the elevators. Note that students accessing this location will need to enter the library through the security gates to reach the elevators.

Mondays and Thursdays, 2:30–5:30 p.m.
February 13–May 4

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Virtual Meetings connect students with Writing Center instructors through real-time, face-to-face appointments in WCOnline, our online appointment system. Virtual Meetings allow us to connect and collaborate with you through (a) a shared whiteboard where you and your instructor can view and comment on your writing; (b) small screens to enable conversation through shared video/audio; and (c) a chat area for synchronous, written conversation. The whiteboard and chat area remain accessible to you after the appointment, and you can revisit your feedback at any time.  

Virtual Meetings are recommended if…

  • You’ve enjoyed meeting in person with Writing Center instructors in the past.
  • You want a chance for real-time collaboration and conversation with a Writing Center instructor.
  • You hope to talk with a writing instructor about an ongoing or longer project. (You may also be interested in a Writing Mentorship.)
  • You would like to book your appointment up to 14 days in advance.
  • You would like to meet with a particular instructor.
  • You have a reliable internet connection.

Learn more about Virtual Meetings.

Written Feedback appointments allow students 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 accessible to you after your appointment, and you can revisit it at any time in WCOnline.

Written Feedback appointments are recommended if…

  • You’ve enjoyed working with a Writing Center instructor through email in the past.
  • You’d like to schedule feedback with a particular Writing Center instructor.
  • You’d like feedback on the day of your appointment.
  • You’d like to book your appointment up to 14 days in advance.
  • You’d like to book an appointment, but you don’t yet have a draft ready to  upload.
  • You prefer this modality of instruction.
  • 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 help you learn to edit and proofread your own writing. If you have questions, check out more about what we can do at the Writing Center or read through the questions and answers 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, and have a conversation about what next steps you might take. 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?

The Writing Center’s primary audience is currently enrolled graduate and undergraduate students, which means that the majority of our one-on-one instructional hours are devoted to working with students from all across campus.

If you’re a recent alumnus, faculty, or staff member at UW, we’d love to see you at our workshops and other events. Depending on our availability, 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 student 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 us like to work on together
  • Bring anything that helps explain 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 (New, Transfer, or Advanced)

  • 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 and Professional 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 a short, one-time writing project, coming once or twice to a Writing Center location in order to meet with an instructor usually is ideal.

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 a more formalized writing mentorship with the same instructor every week or every other week through an in-person appointment, Virtual Meeting, or Written Feedback. For more information, please contact the Writing Mentorship Coordinator, Lisa Marvel Johnson.

Where is the Writing Center?

We offer appointments at our main location in 6171 Helen C White Hall. You can make an appointment at our main location using our online scheduler or by calling us at 608-263-1992.

You can also meet with us at one of our satellite locations across campus and online through Virtual Meetings and Written Feedback. These appointments are offered on a first-come, first served basis.

How often can I visit the Writing Center?

One hour per week. You may use up to 1 hour of individual instruction per week for a total of 10 hours of instruction time during a semester. 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?

Your 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.