Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Good writing is a process of continuous revision. A written piece is like clay that is worked and shaped many times until the sculptor is satisfied. Consultations help writers experience an objective and constructive analysis of their work, relieve their writing-related anxiety, and overcome obstacles in the writing process. We will help you to bolster the strengths of and combat the weaknesses in your writing. All students are welcome and encouraged to contact the Graduate Writing Advisors to discuss strategies for becoming a more accomplished, scholarly writer.

We will be happy to work with you on your thesis prospectus, grant application, research paper, research statement, thesis chapter, seminar paper, or other coursework. We refer all students who require assistance with CVs and other career materials to Victoria Blodgett at Graduate Career Services.

The first step in the process is to schedule a consultation using the "Book Now" button below. Our consultation service is available each semester. You can sign up for up to two half-hour sessions per week with any advisor of your choice.

Students may sign up for a maximum of one hour of appointment per week. If you need to be tutored in excess of this limit, contact Elena Kallestinova to seek the permission of the graduate writing consultant.

The next step is to email your chosen advisor with your piece at least 24 hours in advance. If your piece is longer than 1000 words, we would prefer that you email your advisor at least 48 hours in advance. We will read your pieces before you come to save time during the actual consultation. The most helpful version of your piece for us to analyze will be one that you would give to your advisor. In the case that you are experiencing difficulty with the actual process of writing, we will assist you with brainstorming, outlines, and strategies for getting around writer's block.

On the day of the consultation, be sure to check the directions to the writing center. We are located in the alley between HGS and Toad's Place as opposed to on Broadway proper.

During the actual consultation, your chosen advisor will establish rapport with you and get a sense of your goals for the session. Depending upon your needs, the advisor will help you to work through issues of organization, style, grammar and usage, and clarity. Our goal is to improve your writing in the long run as opposed to merely correcting errors that have arisen in the short term. As such, proofreading and copy-editing are beyond the scope of our services.

Finally, feel free to schedule a follow-up appointment if needed.

Individual consultations are absolutely free of charge for graduate students registered with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Students may sign up for a maximum of one hour of appointment per week. If you need consultations in excess of this limit, contact Elena Kallestinova to seek the permission of the graduate writing consultant.

We strongly encourage students to send their writing to the advisors in advance. Pre-reading allows advisors to work with students more effectively. If you want an advisor to pre-read your writing, please e-mail your writing to the advisor in advance. If you have a piece of writing up to 1000 words, you should send it at least 24 hour before your appointment. If you have a long piece of writing (more than 1000 words), you should give a advisor at least 48 hours to pre-read. The advisors are also able to provide feedback to short pieces of writing without pre-reading. When you come to the consultation, please bring a printed copy of your paper. The Graduate Writing Center does not provide printing services.

You should always email the advisor prior to the appointment and let him/her know that you cannot attend your appointment. This advance notice will allow us to schedule other students to your time slot. You do run the risk of having your consultations terminated if you miss two sessions.

The Center’s objective is to help graduate students grow as independent academic writers, rather than to fix their writing problems. Therefore, the Writing Center does not provide copy-editing or proofreading services. If you are still interested in copy-editing (proofreading) services, here are some links:

New Haven services
New Haven Copy Editing Services

Other links
firstediting.com
edit911
WordsRU

The advisors will meet with you in the Graduate Writing Center located on 35 Broadway, 294A (near room 210). The entrance to 35 Broadway is at the back of the building. Take the passage between Mory’s and Toad’s off York St and turn left into the small courtyard. The Graduate Writing Center is on the second floor.

McDougal Graduate Writing Advisors are Ph.D. students with extensive experience in editing and teaching. Advisors’ positions are competitive and selective. The advisors in the Graduate Writing Center have proved themselves to be excellent in providing feedback to other students’ writing. We are very proud of them!

If you want to be an advisor, apply with this link. The applications for the new academic year are usually considered in March and April.