RWIT offers trained undergraduate writing assistants to writing-intensive courses in any discipline. The Writing Assistance Program (WAP) operates under the premise that guided revision is the most critical process in improving student writing. Writing assistants enhance the educational experience of students as well as encourage students to value the revision process. By using a writing assistant, professors are more likely to see better final drafts of student papers.
Please review the information detailed below before requesting a writing assistant. We ask that faculty review the Writing Assistance FAQs for more in-depth information about working with a WA.
The writing assistant diagnoses and responds to students' first drafts through margin notes and end commentaries, covering local and global writing problems, from grammar and style to paragraph organization and structure. The WA may meet with students either individually or in small group sessions to discuss compositions.
Your WA is a resource for students to develop effective writing practices. To maintain a facilitative approach to commentary, the WA may not edit, proofread, or grade papers. Furthermore, WAs may not comment on professors' grades with either the professor or the students.
The WA expects to work in close partnership with the professor. We ask professors to review basic protocol in the “How to Request a Writing Assistant” section before requesting a writing assistant.
