University of Arizona
Writing Skills Improvement Program
1201 E. Helen Street
(520)621-5849
Fax (520)621-2222

About the Program

The Writing Skills Improvement Program was established to assist minority and economically disadvantaged students in their struggle for academic success at the University of Arizona. In past years it has become clear that problems with English usage and writing skills are the greatest common obstacles faced by these students. These obstacles appear at the very beginning of the student's academic career in the form of the freshman English requirement.

The Writing Skills Improvement Program has carefully selected a staff of competent and committed professional tutors. These tutors work closely with those students who are eligible for the program and who want to make a sincere effort to improve their writing skills. Close contact is maintained with the instructor, and conferences are scheduled regularly.

The tutoring session is the heart of our program. The Writing Skills Improvement Program provides participating students with entensive help outside the classroom, help their instructors simply do not have time to provide on a one-to-one basis.

Student Eligibility

Students are eligible to receive free tutoring on a regular basis from the Writing Skills Improvement Program if they are of an ethnic minority (American Indian, Asian or Pacific Islander, African American, or Hispanic), or if they are receiving any of the following categories of financial assistance: Federal Perkins Loans, Pell Grants, Supplemental Opportunity Grants, Stafford Loans and Work Study Assistance as well as State Student Incentive Grants.

Services

Regular Tutoring is available for students who desire to meet the tutor each week for two or one hour-long sessions.

The Weekly Writing Workshop consists of weekly one-hour meetings with a tutor-instructor which cover the various aspects of writing standard college essays.

The Writing About Literature Workshop consists of weekly one-hour meetings with a tutor-instructor which examine the various elements of writing about literature and of writing the documented critical analysis.

The Graduate Writing Workshop consists of weekly 1 1/4 hour meetings with a tutor-instructor which cover various aspects of writing graduate research papers, thesis, and dissertations and writing conference proposals and presentations.

Call to request a schedule of current workshops. Come to the office to receive copies of workshops and handouts.

Graduate Student Services

Besides the Graduate Writing Workshops, the WSIP offers individual tutoring for minority gradute students (funded by the Graduate College) and a Summer Graduate Writing Institute.

Graduate Writing Institute

Each summer, WSIP offers the Graduate Writing Institute during the 1st Summer Session for all graduate students interested in improving their writing. Students of various disciplines work on their writing in small groups and attend lectures in larger groups on relevant topics regarding writing. They also receive individual tutoring time. Funded by the Graduate College, this program assists graduate students to complete research papers and projects, conference presentations, thesis and dissertations.

Call to request an application

Outreach

Summer Institute for Writing

Each summer, WSIP offers the Summer Institute for Writing and Thinking Across the Curriculum for minority and economically disadvantaged high school students and secondary school teachers. Students and teachers share their writing as a community in small and large groups. Workshops and tutorials are also offered to the students. A graduate seminar is offered to the teachers.