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Writing Center

Academic Support

    BCC Writing Center Logo

    The Writing Center is free to all BCC students, and is staffed by trained writing consultants ready to help you with papers and any other writing, for any class, at any stage of the writing process.

    We offer one-on-one tutoring sessions and provide written feedback on drafts through our online location: BCC's Online Writing Center.

    You can bring any piece of writing: term paper, lab report, English paper, application or scholarship essay, poetry, etc. – at any stage of the writing process: brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising – for help with understanding the assignment, organization, feedback on a draft, interpreting instructor comments, and more.

    BCC's Online Writing Center

    • Submit papers, and/or schedule virtual meetings with tutors
    • 24-hour paper submissions: receive feedback in 1-2 business days
    • Virtual sessions by appointment, Monday - Friday
    Contact Us:

    Email: writingcenter@berkshirecc.edu

    Hours:

    Feb. 1, 2020 - May 6, 2020: Online Only

    Location:

    Melville Hall 401 (the Resource Center), right at the center of the building. (The Writing Center office is currently unavailable; please find us in the Online Writing Center!)

     

    Our Mission

    The Writing Center is a respectful, inclusive space dedicated to supporting student writing across the curriculum. We believe writing facilitates learning and clarifies thinking. We approach writing as a process and encourage students to bring their writing at any stage. We provide appointments and scheduled drop-in hours, and are staffed by peer tutors who have undergone extensive training in writing center methods and practices. We do not edit or rewrite student papers, instead our tutors provide interactive one-on-one sessions in which they help students identify the strengths and weaknesses in their writing and take ownership of their own work.

    Writing Center Resources

    APA Style - Before You Write Your Paper (PDF) Pre-Writing Strategies (PDF)
    APA Style Checklist (PDF) Signal Phrases (PDF)
    Drafting and Revising Thesis Statements (PDF) Source Attribution in Academic Writing (PDF)
    Formatting Dialogue (PDF) Source Evaluation & Use (PDF)
    How to Write a Summary (PDF) Topic Sentence Graphic Organizer (PDF)
    MLA Citation Quick Reference (PDF) Troublesome Words (PDF)
    MLA Works Cited Entry Step-by-Step (PDF)  

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Do I need to make an appointment?

      BCC's Online Writing Center accepts appointments Monday through Friday. Appointments must be scheduled at least one day in advance.

      When our on campus location is open, you can drop without an appointment anytime. However, if you need to make an appointment, we can do that too.

    • What kind of writing do you consult on?

      Any kind. We’ve consulted on everything from creative writing, research papers, and poetry to lab reports, resumes, and abstracts. We even went over a police report one time.

    • What should I bring?

      BCC's Online Writing Center allows you to upload your paper when you make your appointment. You might also want to provide a description of your assignment, or describe the kind of feedback you're looking for.

      In person, it is always helpful to bring a copy of the assignment sheet along with the class syllabus. If you have a working draft, try and bring a printed copy—it is easier to work on a hard copy rather than looking over each-other’s shoulders at a computer screen.

    • How long will this take?

      That depends on what you want to do. It could be as short as five minutes, or as long as an hour—there is no time limit. On average, though, expect to spend twenty to thirty minutes in a virtual or in-person Writing Center meeting.

    • Can I request a specific consultant?

      Of course, depending upon availability. Remember, though, all of our consultants are well-trained and motivated to give you all the input you need.

    • Can you fix my paper for me?

      Depends on what you mean by “fix”. We won’t re-write your paper for you, but we will guide you and make suggestions for ways in which you can improve your work without us doing it for you.

    • Can you help me with formatting?

      Yes. Whether you need to write your paper in MLA, APA or any other kind of format, we can show you how to set up in-text citations and works cited or bibliography pages.

    • Do you have take-away materials that can help me with my writing?

      Yes. We have a good range of resources available for download (above). If none of them address your specific writing issue, email us and we can suggest many good websites that will.

    • Can I come in to just hang out and work?

      Yes. The Writing Center is located in an open Resource Center, so all students are welcome to use it. If you need a little more quiet, or privacy, we also have two conference rooms that are available.

      Even though we're not currently providing services in out on-campus space, you can still use the space to get work done. Just be sure to fill out the Campus Access Request Form at least 24-hours in advance of your visit.

    • Do you have a computer I could use?

      We do have laptops on hand if you need to use one. (Available only during Writing Center hours, when on-campus services are offered.)

    • Can you print my paper for me?

      A printer is available for use in the Writing Center, but only for the purpose of working on drafts during a consultation. If you just need to print your paper you can do that in Digital Commons located in the Library.