Here on the blog from time to time I get the question, "Hey, can I post something?" Which usually leads to me laughing hysterically...but seriously, this blog is meant for students and as such students write it. One such message that has come my way (and might be a ploy to get me to make an appointment) was from the writing center. And without further adieu, a message from your friendly neighborhood writing center:
Essay. Such an innocent word, but oh such dire implications. In some cases, the word “essay” can be synonymous with “40% of my grade.” Not so innocent anymore. Sometimes it can mean “a Big-Gulp of coffee coupled with 17 hours of my life.” And sometimes, it can mean “doomed… utterly and totally doomed.”
Let’s face it. Essays are a critical medium through which professors evaluate our knowledge. But what if you are simply not a great writer? What if you have all these great ideas in your head, but as soon as they touch the paper they recoil as if you just dipped them in boiling water? Or maybe you get your paper back and there are so many red marks on it that it looks like the professor had a nose bleed right over the page. Or maybe you’ve got this assignment sheet in your hand, and all you can do is sit and stare at the computer screen praying for rapture. What do you do?
Unlike many of the problems mankind has managed to dig itself into, the solution to this catastrophe is quite simple. You go to the LBC Writing Center, located above the library. There, you will find students who can offer help in any stage of the writing process, whether it’s brainstorming for ideas, organizing the paper, utilizing proper grammatical conventions, or formatting/citing MLA style. Even accomplished writers can benefit from a session in the writing center. A second pair of eyes and an outside perspective can be valuable tools in the writing process.
To make an appointment, go to your student homepage (you can access this by clicking “students” on http://www.facebook.com/l/a14a2;www.lbc.edu). Scroll down until the “writing center” box appears on the right hand side. Click the link to navigate to the online scheduler. Be sure to register if it is your first visit, and follow the instructions to log-in and schedule. Make sure you schedule your session for one hour (otherwise it won’t work). When you show up to your appointment, be sure to bring your assignment sheet and two copies of your paper.
While essay still might mean “a crapload of work,” the image of the gates of hell itself no longer has to be the first thing that pops into your mind. But don’t take my word for it; schedule an appointment, and find out for yourself.
Thanks to Sarah Anderson for this write up!
