The University Writing Center offers services to support writers at Mason. To learn about our services for all multilingual students, watch the Services for Multilingual Writers video below. If you are an undergraduate student, graduate student, or visiting scholar with a first language other than English, the Writing Center has ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) programs to support your English communication needs.
Resources for All Multilingual Students
Tutoring:
You can make an appointment to meet a tutor on Zoom or upload your draft for a tutor’s written feedback. Tutoring sessions are one-on-one 45-minute sessions where the tutor helps you develop your ideas, provide feedback on a draft, answer your questions, and show you strategies for brainstorming, organizing, drafting, revising, and editing.
To learn more about our tutoring services and how to make an appointment, watch the Introduction to our Online Services video below. You can also learn more about Zoom tutoring here and about Written Feedback here
Regular Weekly Tutoring:
If you want to meet regularly with the same one or two tutors each week, sign up for the ESOL Opt-in program. You will be paired with one or two tutors who will work with you on your writing tasks throughout the semester. For more information, visit this page. Applications are accepted until mid-semester. Sign up using this form. For questions, contact esloptin@gmu.edu.
Writing Guides and Other Resources:
You can refer to the Writing Center’s quick guides on a variety of topics from writing as a process, writing in different genres, and general writing practices to research writing, citing sources, reading practices, grammar, and style. You can also refer to these outside resources that can assist you as you write
Contact wcenter@gmu.edu if you have any questions.
Resources for Graduate-level Multilingual Students
To learn about our services for graduate students, watch the Services for Graduate Students video below.
Tutoring:
If you are a graduate student working on your thesis or dissertation, an article for publication, or a paper over 15 pages in length, make an appointment for a Thesis/Dissertation Consultation with a PhD student tutor on the Thesis/Dissertation schedule.
If you are a graduate student working on less lengthy writing projects for your coursework, you may make an appointment with any tutor on the regular tutoring schedule. Consider working with the same tutor through the semester to allow the tutor to become familiar with your projects and area of study.
Writing Groups:
In the ESOL Graduate Peer Writing Groups program, you will meet every week with a group of 3-6 other graduate students to receive and provide constructive feedback on one another’s writing. Groups are facilitated by the Writing Center’s ESL Specialist. The number of groups is limited and you need to sign up by the second week of the semester to be placed in a group. For more information, visit this page. Sign up using this form. For questions, contact the Writing Center ESL Specialist, Idée Edalatishams, at iedalati@gmu.edu.
You can find additional resources and events on this page.
Other Groups and Resources:
Consider signing up for the Weekly Friday-morning Write-Ins, when a group of graduate students meet on Zoom simply to write together. Making regular time to write can be easier if you commit to doing it with a group of people who also want to make progress on their writing goals. Find more information and sign up on this page. You can find additional resources and events on this page.