Course-Embedded Writing Associates

Goal of the Course-Embedded Writing Associate Program

Embedded Writing Associates (WAs) offer a tangible, human peer collaborator who can have regular one-on-one meetings with students to help them develop their writing skills. The goal is the same as for The Writing Center—to help students become better writers—but the linked WA will have greater knowledge of the class’s content and expectations. This can make the conversations more productive and help students develop their skills not just for the class, but for their whole academic careers.

Embedded WAs will be particularly useful in FYSMs or courses that fulfill the W2 requirement, where they can also facilitate in-class peer response workshops and support other writing activities, in collaboration with the instructor.

Embedded WAs’ Primary Responsibility

Embedded WAs’ primary responsibility is to have regular hours available to meet one-on-one with students from the class (times and locations scheduled by the WA–up to 4 hours/week). The WA will set their hours based on when the writing assignments are scheduled for the class, in collaboration with the instructor.

• Appointments are structured the same as on the main WC schedule: 30 min or 1 hour, depending on student requests
• The WA will record appointments on WCOnline, the same as regular appointments, so they can be verified if required
• While it’s unlikely the Embedded WA can meet with every student in the class for every assignment, they can help students make appointments at the regular WC schedule

Embedded WAs work a maximum of 6 hours a week, generally have at least one semester of tutoring experience, and have completed RHET 302 (Writing Theory and Practice).

Additional Rolls for the Embedded WA

• Introducing The Writing Center and themselves to the class at the beginning of the semester
• Attending class periodically when issues relevant to writing are discussed
• Reading course materials (up to an hour/week)
• Supporting or leading in-class writing workshops or other writing-related exercises, in collaboration with the instructor
• Meeting regularly with the instructor (and TAs or FYSM Mentors, if appropriate) to discuss  and work on writing assignments and other writing-related issues

Requesting an Embedded WA

If you’re a faculty member interested in having an Embedded WA in your FYSM or any other class next semester, please click here to fill out the form. If you know a WA who you think would be a particularly good fit for your class, please let us know; there’s a question on the form, or you can email. You can see information on our current WAs on our Writing Associates biography page (click here). WAs will be assigned depending on availability.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]