About the PWS

About the Patriot Writers’ Studio

Note: For our contact and social media info, please look here. AHS faculty, a teacher-specific "about" document was emailed to you at the beginning of the year and is available upon request.

What is it called?  Where is it?

Our writing center is called the Patriot Writers’ Studio -- PaWS for short.  It is located in room 88/89 and is accessible through doors to the left of the attendance office and on your left as you enter the Media Center.

When is it open?  

PaWS operates during these hours:

• 8:15 - 8:50 Tuesdays (~5 tutors)
• B Block (3rd and 4th periods, including lunch): Daily (~16 tutors)
• CHAT: Wednesdays, Thursdays (~9 tutors)
• 3:55 - 4:30 Wednesdays and Thursdays (~6 tutors)

The space is available for classes to use as a writing/project workspace during the remainder of the day (A, C, and D blocks).  Students who wish to work in the Writers' Studio when it's not being otherwise used should check with a librarian.

Who can use it? Do I have to work with a tutor?

Anyone who wants to work on writing can use the Writers' Studio. You can work alone, with a group, or with a tutor. You are not required to work with a tutor. You can do any kind of writing here -- classwork, but also poetry, lyrics, emails, code, posters, emails, applications, etc.

What equipment does it feature?

• 15 laptops
• Creative supplies (scissors, markers, construction paper, etc.)
• 1 high table with 8 chairs
• 2 medium tables with 8 chairs
• 1 couch
• 2 “fat boy” bean bag chairs
• 10 double-sided portable dry erase boards
• 2 idea paint (dry erase) walls
• recessed lighting with a dimmer switch
• A sink and microwave

How do reservations work for students?

We are in the process of developing a web-based reservation system for students, which will be available here when it's ready.  In the meantime, we will post paper sign-up sheets next to our doors in the main lobby.  Reservations are recommended but not required; we will work with walk-ins on a first come, first served basis.

What if I want to make a reservation but all the tutors are taken?
Add your name to the waiting list and come anyway. We'll try to make extra tutors available, and if someone finishes a session early we'll likely be able to work with you.

What happens during a session?

First, the tutor will spend some time getting to know you.  Then you'll discuss the writing task and choose one or two priorities for the session.  If you haven’t yet written anything, you'll work together on brainstorming and/or outlining.  If you have a draft, you'll read it aloud one paragraph at a time.  The tutor will respond with open-ended questions intended to help you improve your writing, as well as offer lessons in grammar and mechanics when appropriate. The author (you) will always hold the pen/keyboard; the tutor is never allowed to make any changes to the writing (except in cases such as a special education need).  At the end of the session, you'll review what was accomplished, discuss your next steps, and schedule a follow-up session if desired.  All clients are requested to complete a feedback survey while the tutor fills out a tutoring receipt.

Here are a few things that tutors are explicitly prohibited from doing:

• Ignoring or belittling clients, or compromising a client’s right to confidentiality
• Criticizing an assignment or badmouthing a teacher
• Guaranteeing a certain grade
• Copy-editing an assignment for a student, or writing/typing on the assignment whatsoever
• Inserting their own ideas or answering the prompt for the client

What do I need to bring to a session?
Do your best to be on time, and bring anything that will help you to complete your writing task. If you're working on a school assignment, bring the assignment sheet, rubric, any materials you need to include/consult (such as a newspaper article or your research data), and what you've written so far. It's especially helpful to us if you bring 2 printed copies of your work, but we can also work on a computer.

If you're working on your own project, bring whatever tools and sources of inspiration you want! That could include music, art supplies, examples of the type of piece you're trying to create, guidelines for submission, etc. -- and of course any human collaborators you want to work with.

How can students prove that they've been to PaWS?

Students receive a receipt at the conclusion of each tutoring session.  The receipt identifies when the session took place and what was discussed during the session.

What kinds of writing can tutors help with?

Tutors can help with anything related to writing!  Some examples:

• Brainstorming and graphic organizers
• Research skills, including citations and avoiding plagiarism
• Content specific writing such as digital presentations, speeches, lab reports, brochures, DBQs, key terms, proofs, critiques, etc.

Of course, tutors can also help students with non-academic writing ranging from lyrics and storyboarding to college applications and fan-fiction.

Can tutors help me with any other subjects?

We can help with any kind of writing and creating. We can also tutor writing in some other languages; see the list here. Beginning in the fall of 2014, we'll be offering peer assistance in all subject areas, not just writing.

How can I become a writing center tutor?

The application process happens between November and January, and new tutors are announced in February. We’re looking for friendly, helpful, responsible rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to join our staff.  Potential tutors should be solid writers and good students, but don’t need to be the very best in their classes.  If you're interested, stop by the writing center for more information.