Who is eligible to use this service?
Any student enrolled in the Honors College and working on the various elements of the thesis project is eligible. The consultant is here to help you with everything from grant and proposal writing to your thesis at any stage of the writing process.
How do I register?
If you have not used the QWC’s services before, you’ll need to register. It only takes a few minutes. The registration form can be found by accessing the Scheduler. After you are registered, log onto the scheduler and locate the schedule for “Kelly (QWC Honors Consultant).” Find a time on Kelly’s schedule that is convenient for you and schedule an appointment.
What is the benefit of the one-on-one sessions?
Here you can ask specific questions about structure, form, and content. Any writing-related issue that comes up as you draft the thesis can be discussed in detail with your writing consultant. These questions may include the persuasiveness and validity of your arguments, the presentation of your research results, formatting, citations, and grammar.
How can the consultant help me with my writing if she isn’t an expert in my field?
The consultant is an experienced writing teacher and can show you effective ways to present your ideas and findings; to adhere to academic writing conventions; and to avoid formal, stylistic, and grammatical errors. You discuss content and method with your thesis director; your sessions with the consultant focus on how you write, not what you write. In most disciplines, the thesis is expected to be written for and understood by an educated audience from outside your field of study. In addition to helping you with your writing, the consultant also serves as such an educated reader and provides you with valuable feedback regarding clarity and organization throughout the writing process.
My thesis is okay. Can't you just proofread it for me?
The Honors Thesis Consultant’s purpose is to teach you the skills you need at all stages of the writing process, including the revisions. Ultimately, this approach saves you time because you have continuous guidance and a place to ask questions, but the consultant's responsibility is not to proofread and fix your surface errors. Instead, the consultant teaches you self-editing skills that will facilitate your growth as an academic writer.
I try to write something every day, but it isn't working. What can I do?
Productivity problems are common. Most people deal with writer’s block at some point. In the one-on-one sessions, we can talk about the reasons for this issue and practice ways to overcome problems with writer’s block.
I always get an A on my papers. Why do I need to come to the QWC?
First, because the thesis project is different than a research paper or any longer project you have undertaken before. Talking to the consultant will improve your understanding of the thesis in its entirety and of the best approaches to planning and writing the component parts. Second, all good writers actively review models of good writing and seek out readers who can provide them with audience feedback while drafting. You'll learn activities practiced by writers who desire to continually improve their craft.