The UWF Writing Lab provides UWF students with face-to-face paper reading services as well as online paper reading. Both of these services are free, but you must meet certain criteria to qualify for the online services. Please click on the OWL for more information regarding the online services.

Types of Paper Reading Services

 

One-Hour Interactive Paper Reading Service for On-campus Student

• Hours vary each semester and are posted at the Writing Lab (51/157).
• After the student has written, proofread, and revised his or her paper, then he or she may bring it to the Writing Lab.
• Call 474-2029 or 474-2229 and schedule an appointment.
• Schedule your appointment(s) early in the semester.
• Please note that we do not read papers on the day they are due.
• The student should bring a typed or computer-generated paper that is double-spaced. The number of pages that a Paper Reader can read in a single appointment is approximately 8 pages. If the student has a paper that is longer than 8 pages, the student should make more than 1 appointment for that paper.
• The student should bring a copy of the instructor's directions for the writing assignment.

A ONE-HOUR INTERACTIVE READING SESSION:

requires the student to collaborate with a qualified, trained paper reader who will help him or her locate, understand, and correct improprieties in the paper.

THE PAPER READER WILL READ YOUR PAPER FOR THE FOLLOWING:

CONTENT

The Paper Reader will ensure that the student has done the following:

• addressed the assignment or topic as it is written, by explaining it or taking a position on it and supporting it
• established a clear focus
• logically stated and developed the thesis in sufficient detail
• consistently presented topic sentences for body paragraphs
• used transitions economically and effectively
• organized the paper into an introduction, body, and conclusion

MANUSCRIPT FORMAT

The Paper Reader will ensure that the student has done the following:

• used correct spacing, margins, a heading, and correct format (business letter, for instance)

CORRECTNESS OF EXPRESSION

The Paper Reader will ensure that the student has done the following:

• used language effectively, correctly, and appropriately
• used well-formed sentences
• followed standard practices of formal written English: spelling, grammar and usage, word choice, capitalization, punctuation, and sentence construction

DOCUMENTATION STYLE

The Paper Reader will ensure that the student has done the following:

• correctly and consistently used a standard documentation format (MLA, APA, AP, APSA, Chicago, or Turabian)
• cited and incorporated quotations appropriately and correctly

THE PAPER READER WILL REQUIRE AND EXPECT THE FOLLOWING:

 

• a typed double-spaced copy of the assignment
• a copy of the instructor's assignment
• copies of any sources if the paper has in-text citations and a reference or works cited page

THE PAPER READER WILL NOT READ THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF DOCUMENTS:

• waiver requests, letters of application, documents required to fulfill admission requirements, or any other documents that are prepared to assess the student's ability to communicate effectively as a criterion for employment or admissions
• a paper in the student's absence
• a messy rough draft
• highly specialized written work such as legal and scientific documents

"No-Show" Policy

A student who is more than 5 minutes late for a scheduled appointment is counted as a "no-show." After two "no-shows," the Writing Lab will suspend that student's appointment privileges for the remainder of the semester. If the student wants to have any papers read after the second "no-show," he or she must come in as a "walk-in."

Multiple Appointments

The Writing Lab allows students to make multiple appointments for the entire semester. However, if the student has two "no-shows," the student will not be allowed to make any additional appointments during that semester. And any appointments the student has scheduled for the remainder of the semester will be cancelled as well. Although the student's appointment-making privileges are suspended, he or she may still come to the Writing Lab for a walk-in paper reading. Walk-in paper readings are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and students wait at their own risk.

"Walk-Ins"

All appointments are available to a student on a "walk-in" basis. Being a "walk-in" means that a student does not have a scheduled appointment. Also, a student who is more than 5 minutes late for a scheduled appointment will have his or her appointment canceled and must sign in as a "walk-in."

Cancellation Policy

A student must cancel his or her appointment twenty-four hours in advance. If a student does not cancel his or her appointment twenty-four hours in advance, the appointment becomes a "no-show." Once the student receives two "no-shows," the Writing Lab will suspend that student's appointment privileges for the remainder of the semester. If the student wants to have any papers read after the second "no-show," he or she must come in as a "walk-in.

No Ghost Writing

We will not write a paper for you.

No Proofreading

We will not read a paper in your absence.

No Editing

We cannot help you produce an error-free, publishable paper.