The Online Writing Center (OWC) vision brings together best practices in online writing instruction informed by empirical research, values inspired by the Online Writing Center Association (OWCA) and UCSC, and locally inspired approaches, designed with the UCSC student base in mind.
What is the OWC?
Why does the Online Writing Center exist to help students?
How does the OWC work?
What is the process for scheduling appointments?
FAQs About the OWC
Frequently Asked Questions about writing centers and writing assistance.
How Can the OWC Help Me?
The Online Writing Center at UCSC offers writing support for all undergraduate and graduate students through expertly trained peer Writing Assistants (WAs). Your WA will work with you to address specific concerns and goals for your writing, such as developing a research topic or tightening the flow of your introduction or conclusion. We will also give you important strategies and information to help you grow as a writer.
But, Can’t I Just Use A.I. to Review and Edit My Writing?
Writing is a way of thinking, a way of knowing, and a process of learning. Generative artificial intelligence can do a lot, but it cannot think for you, and it cannot generate a purpose or intention for writing. When AI writes for you, it does not know your rhetorical situation – you as an author, your audience, and your intended message. The OWC Writing Assistants will work closely with you to understand the context and occasion for your writing in ways A.I. cannot. We will help you achieve your writing goals and remove anxiety that comes from relying on AI to produce content.
How Can I Schedule an Appointment?
Anyone seeking writing support may schedule a tutoring session at least 24 hours in advance. Just go to the scheduling website (https://writingcenter.ucsc.edu/appointments/) and click Schedule an Appointment, where you may set up an account and schedule a tutoring session. Once you are on that scheduling platform, make sure to choose the schedule which applies to you: if you’re an undergrad, pick the Undergraduate schedule or if you’re a grad student, pick the Graduate schedule.
If you cannot make it to your session with the Writing Assistant, please cancel 24 hours in advance when possible.
What Services Are Provided?
Online synchronous tutoring is provided by WCOnline in appointment-only sessions that serve all undergraduate students. UCSC students schedule an appointment using MyWCOnline (see above) and can use the designated form to provide details about the kinds of writing assistance they are seeking. Within the form, clients can also describe the assignment or other writing task they would like to receive assistance with. During their sessions, students will use video conferencing on WCOnline to speak directly with their WA in real time, and the WA and the writer can review a document together. They can also mark up the document together for better retention of knowledge. For writers uncomfortable or unable to use the video chat feature, text chat is available for simple assignments.
The UCSC Writing Center is designed for all university courses to ensure students know how to access writing support. A major innovation under development is the asynchronous tutoring option, allowing writing assistants to record feedback using screencasting tools. Writing Assistants will screencast their feedback. They will record short videos showing themselves reviewing student work, annotating the document and narrating feedback. Each asynchronous review counts as one appointment and must be completed within three business days. Implementation is planned for Spring 2026.
What Will My Writing Assistant Discuss?
You get to decide what is discussed during your appointment! Before your session, use the appointment form area “What would you like to work on today?” provide as many details as possible about your writing task and what help you would like. During the session, your WA will open by asking you about your writing goals and your understanding of the writing task. Your writing session will focus on your goals for this task and give you help to continue developing yourself as a writer.
What Tips Do You Have to Make the Most Out of My Writing Session?
Here are some tips to help you have a successful session with your Writing Assistant:
- Prepare by reviewing any materials necessary for writing the document.
- If needed, ask your professor or TA to clarify any feedback that you find confusing.
- Bring 2 to 3 major concerns that the WA can help you with in 30 to 60-minute sessions.
- Be open-minded in receiving feedback, and treat the session as a conversation.
- Reflect on feedback. You are not expected to adopt all of the WA’s recommendations, but please consider them thoughtfully.
- Make repeat appointments with the same WA, so that you can build a connection with someone who understands you as a writer.
- Bear in mind, however, that all our WAs are trained in writing center pedagogy, so you should can always help no matter what!
Questions?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page, and if you still have questions about the Writing Center, contact writeon@ucsc.edu.