Audrey, Liz, and Michael at the Lost Dog: Writing Center party 12/09

Congratulations to Dr. Michael Demson and Dr. Audrey Murfin! Michael and Audrey have accepted positions at Sam Houston State University in Texas. They will leave us after the spring semester.

We will miss both of you so much. Thanks for all that you have contributed to our Center!

Matt L. and Kelley pose

Kelley  has worked in the Writing Center since 2003. She earned her BS in Education and her MA in English Literature at SUNY Fredonia. Currently she is a Ph.D.  student (ABD) in English Literature at Binghamton University. working on her dissertation. Kelley has taught 2nd grade, 6th grade, and many college-level courses, including learning community linked courses. Kelley has taught and tutored EOP, ESL, and many other students. She teaches all levels of composition and especially enjoys working with students enrolled in Eng. 090.

Some of the best resources for APA:

The Basics of APA Style tutorial: http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm

Purdue’s OWL: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ ; their APA workshop is at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/664/01/

BCC’s APA handout:  http://www.sunybroome.edu/library/guides/APA.pdf

We have a copy of the APA 6^th Edition in the Writing Center, as well as updated handouts.

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(Feb. 3) “Never end a sentence with a preposition.”

This “myth” causes trouble because many of the words that are prepositions–on, off, over, up, down, etc.–also fall into a class of words called “particle-words” or “particles.”  Particles are words that are actually part of the verb.  It is normal, but not necessary, for particles to appear at the ends of clauses or sentences.   Take, for example, the “off” in “Please turn off the lights,” and “Please turn the lights off.”  The “off” in these examples is not a preposition but a particle-word.  The particle in this example can be placed before or after “the lights.”  Another example, the “over” in “I’ll think it over,” is not so easily moved away from the end of the sentence.  A writer who thinks that words like up, down, over, on, off are always prepositions can go crazy trying to figure out how to avoid using them at the end of the sentence.  So the real myth here is not that you shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition, but that the words we think of as prepositions are always prepositions.

Liz, our ENG110 peer tutor, and Erin

Good news! The Writing Center professional tutors are pleased to announce that we have added two peer writing tutors to our staff.  Peer tutors offer a slightly different tutoring experience because they have either recently completed the courses they work with or they have real-life experience  in their fields.

Sid Peake is our resident Criminal Justice and Fire Protection Technology tutor. Sid wears many hats: a Learning Assistance Center tutor, a Supplemental Instruction leader, the Captain of the Windsor Fire Company EMS Division, and Deputy Coordinator of the  Broome County Office of Emergency Medical Services, to name a few!

Elizabeth Evans, a BCC student, specializes in ENG 110 and will soon be expanding to other English courses.   She is an avid Twilight fan.

Both tutors have a passion for their respective courses and they are great to bounce ideas off of.  Schedule an appointment with them to get customized feedback!

Julio in the Writing Center

Meet Julio, one of our friendly student assistants. Julio can answer many questions about the Writing Center, and he can schedule appointments for you.

In tutorial sessions, tutors talk with students about their writing; we ask questions that help writers see their texts through the audience’s eyes and encourage them to explore options for drafting and revising their texts. Students often seek help with thesis statements, organization, development, citation of sources, development of proofreading strategies, and other concerns.

Writing Center tutors work by appointment with students individually or in small groups (tutors facilitate these group sessions of 2-3 students).  To schedule appointments, students can come to L-8 or call (778-5632 or 778-5038). Limited online tutorial feedback is offered for students who are enrolled exclusively in online courses or for students who cannot come to the Writing Center during our business hours.   If you have any questions, contact Susie Williams (X5363; swilliams@sunybroome.edu).

DON’T BE LIKE MATT!

Call the Writing Center (778-5632) or stop by (L8) to make an appointment today.  For the love of procrastination, let’s stop the tears.

Fall 2009:  Over 1000 served!