Usually, you’ll find Luther Houle in the Writing Center sipping tea out of his favorite mug, a coffee cup with a zen-happy pig on the front. He received it last year as a new tutor award. Luther’s a low-key, happy guy and students love him. He’s kind, patient, and nurturing. It’s not uncommon to hear
Error Positive
Not all, but many students come to the writing center frazzled, worried, and unsure about their writing. With desperate eyes they hope the tutor can help them figure out what their next steps should be or how to make what they have acceptable to a professor. They fear the red pen signaling mistakes and failure,
Advice from a Maize and Blue Scholar: “You’ll be alright. Just don’t panic.”
Easy for Tyrice to say. He’s always cool under pressure! The Marian E. Wright Writing Center is ecstatically proud of Tyrice Denson—if there is a stronger word than “ecstatic,” include that too. Tyrice was selected as one of this year’s 2019 graduating Maize and Blue Scholars. When I asked him how he felt about being
Welcome Back: Walk-In Tutoring and More Changes
Hello, University of Michigan-Flint, and welcome back for the Winter 2019 semester! Whiteboard art compliments of Laura, Tutor at MEW The Marian E. Wright Writing Center is open again, and we’ve made a few changes since you last saw us. Schedule: our hours have changed, and we’re now open on Sundays. Our new hours are
Writing Resources: Thesis Statements and Research
Hello! Are you struggling to write a clear thesis statement? Are you trying to figure out how to collect, organize, and make sense of all your research? The Writing Center has two great resources for you! Visit our Writing Resources and Tips page for two great handouts: Thesis Statement Generator Tip Sheet Information Management Chart Each of
Finding Your Resources
For as long as I can remember I have never had a problem with my writing. I would always excel in my English classes growing up and I never felt like I had a problem with how I structured my papers or how I got my information. When I hit my junior year at the
Creative Writing Hacks
How many of us have stared at a blank computer screen, desperately willing the words to flow effortlessly from our brains to the page? And how many of us, resigned, are forced to admit that it only rarely works that way? Inspiration strikes without warning. It’s fickle and capricious, coming and going randomly. It’s impossible
The importance of expression
Sometimes, things are hard. Especially right now, when we’re all self-isolated due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. As we all know, in tough situations like this, it’s sometimes difficult to process our thoughts and emotions. I would argue, however, an effective way to do this is creative writing. There are no constraints in creative writing,
Love Stinks Writing Contest Poetry Winner
We would like to congratulate Rene Ribant-Amthor, who wrote the winning poem for our 6th Annual Love Stinks Writing Contest!
Love Stinks Writing Contest Short Story Winner
We want to congratulate Carmelle-Arianna Roanski, who wrote the winning short story for our 6th Annual Love Stinks Writing Contest! I Was Culpable By Carmelle-Arianna Rozanski “What do you think?” I’m cognizant enough to recognize that a question had been asked. As to whether I care? “Yeah, that sounds like a good plan.” I don’t.
Becoming a “replacement”: The lessons learned
Entering a new role in life is always hard. The uncertainties and self-doubt of whether you’ll actually be good at the new thing you’ve set out to do are ever-present. If you’re lucky, the right people will come along to guide you and give you confidence. I was. With the help of my tutor-emeritus friends,
Thesis Statements
By: Laura Griglak Everyone knows that thesis statements are important. They set up your main argument and offer a guide for readers to refer back to. And yet, constructing an effective thesis statement is a lot like herding cats. One second the wily devil is within your grasp, and the next, it is lost in
Where has the time gone?
By: Laura Griglak Being an adult is hard. As an adult in college, you are expected to manage a growing army of responsibilities. These include, but are certainly not limited to: living on your own (often for the first time), paying bills (what’s that about?), and, let’s not forget, mountains of homework (fun fun). And