Student Learning

DCU Writing Centre

NOTE: The Writing Centre is currently closed for the summer. To request an out-of-semester appointment please email writingcentre@dcu.ie.

Our mission is to help all students become competent and confident writers at third level and beyond.

About the Writing Centre

The Writing Centre offers one-to-one guidance with academic writing to all undergraduate and postgraduate students. The sessions provide students with the opportunity to receive expert advice from a peer tutor. Tutors are studying at PhD level and are trained and supervised by SS&D staff.  Students may visit the Centre during any stage of the writing process: planning an assignment, writing a first draft, or revising and editing a document. Sessions are booked online and are free of charge.

Why visit the Centre?

Here are some of the typical reasons students book a session:

• For guidance on how to structure an assignment at third level.
• For advice on how to research and read effectively for an assignment.
• To discuss difficulties with specific aspects of writing e.g. paragraphing, grammar, sentence structure, flow, introductions or conclusions.
• For advice on how to improve writing to move up a grade.

Writing consultations

• Please bring along to the appointment your assignment brief and a draft of your work.
• For repeat assignments, bring along any feedback that you may have received from your tutor.
• The Centre is not a proofreading or editing service but rather works with students to strengthen their abilities as writers and encourages them to become editors of their own work.

Appointments

• Appointments can only be scheduled online on both the Glasnevin Campus and St Patrick's Campus using the links below. The online booking system is open one week in advance.
• To make an appointment, go to calendar and click on booking.
• Check the online calendar to get the latest updates on availability.
• You can book either a 30 minute or 60 minute appointment - if you have a detailed query or issue please book a 60 minute appointment.
• To cancel a booking, click on the cancellation link which you will find at the bottom of your confirmation email.
• Please reschedule or cancel an appointment if you cannot attend.
• We advise students to make no more than 1 appointment per week and five per semester. This is to keep the limited number of appointments open to as many students as possible.

Google Hangout appointments

• Google Hangout appointments are available on request, by emailing writingcentre@dcu.ie. For Google Hangout appointments, a draft of your work must be emailed to writingcentre@dcu.ie prior to the session. All Google Hangout appointments must be one hour in duration.