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» Phone Tutoring for Papers
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Writing Assistance

To make an appointment for writing consultation, contact CAS by phone (301-738-6315) or email (sg-cas@umd.edu), or stop by CAS in SG III-1134.

The Center for Academic Success can assist you in interpreting assignments, organizing and planning your writing process, and refining and improving your grammar and writing skills. While CAS staff will look over your paper and recommend revisions, the Center's goal is to develop your writing skills and leave you with new knowledge that you can take with you in further assignments and writing endeavors. CAS counselors will sit with you and provide feedback on the paper, explain where they see your strengths and challenges, and teach you ways to overcome these challenges, engaging you in the writing process and in the new transferable skills you have just learned.

We happily accept walk-ins, but making an appointment is the best way to ensure you don't have to wait to meet with a counselor!

What to do before/during your consultation:

1. E-mail or bring in your assignment or paper. CAS is located in SG III, Room 1134, and can be reached via e-mail at sg-cas@umd.edu.  If you can, provide CAS with a copy of what you've done (whether it is complete or still unfinished) before your appointment.
2. E-mail or bring a description of the assignment. If such a description is not available, be prepared to explain the objectives of the assignment to the CAS counselor. Remember, CAS staff is not in the class with you, and consequently may not know exactly what the professor expects. It is up to you to convey these instructions to the counselor in order to receive the most accurate feedback.
3. Ask questions. If you have any specific questions or concerns about your paper, or if you are confused or do not understand something that the counselor is saying, make sure to clarify!
4. Follow up. If necessary, you may want to bring your paper back in for further feedback after you have revised it. CAS is more than happy to work with you at any stage of the writing process, and more than one revision is often needed to produce a quality paper.

Policy Guidelines for Writing Appointments

• Students may schedule up to 3 appointments per week.

o During exam periods, 2 appointments per week may be scheduled.

• Writing consultants will meet with students on the same paper up to two times.

• Appointments will last up to one hour. 

o For longer appointments, approval must be obtained from the CAS director or coordinators.

• For each assignment, students may schedule one session for pre-writing or brainstorming. For subsequent sessions on the same paper, students must bring a written draft to the appointment.

• The consultant will discuss one paper per student during a single session.

• For appointments with more than one student, the consultant will discuss one group paper.

• Consultants will discuss papers up to 10 pages in length (double-spaced).

o For longer papers, students may mark smaller sections for discussion with the consultant.

• CAS strongly recommends that students e-mail drafts of the paper to be discussed at least 12 hours in advance in order to maximize the time spent with the consultants.

Phone Tutoring for Papers

Not on campus? Want feedback on your papers? Send your paper to us via e-mail, and we will give you a call with comments on your writing.

How to use Phone Tutoring

1. Make an appointment by calling 301-738-6315 or emailing us at sg-cas@umd.edu. Please consider that the counselor will need time to review your paper prior to the phone appointment.
2. E-mail the paper in Microsoft Word (.doc) format, the assignment and/or grading rubric, and any questions or concerns about the paper (example: Do I have a complete thesis statement? Did I answer the questions posed in the assignment? Could you take a look at the conclusion and tell me what you think?) well in advance of your scheduled appointment.
3. When it is time for your phone conversation, be
   prepared with a copy of the paper.  We recommend you be in a distraction-free environment where you are able to take notes and follow along with the tutor's comments.

If you have any questions about Phone Tutoring, please contact us at 301.738.6315 or sg-cas@umd.edu.