Note: Please read the instructions below and our Guidelines before you submit. This way you will know what to expect from using the service. If you’re experiencing technical issues, solutions can be found below.
Due to a high volume of submissions and limited staffing, please be aware that the drop box has a maximum capacity that is quickly filled. You may have to try submitting multiple times before success. We recognize that this is an imperfect system and are working to improve it. Meanwhile, please use the links on the left-hand side of the page for grammar help and more. Thank you for your patience!
It is recommended that you use your Athabasca University email address to receive coaching feedback from Write Site.
If you have not yet activated your AU email address, you can do so here. For questions and support, contact the Write Site Coordinator at swatt@athabascau.ca.
Check that the file name is free of non-alpha-numeric characters (e.g. % ^ * , )
Check that the file has an extension of .doc, .docx, or .txt. The file name should end with .doc, .docx, or .txt
The file must be under 1MB in size. Remove photos or graphics if necessary.
If you get this message when you try to log in, empty your browser’s cache. Click for instructions.
If you get this message when you try to log in, the drop box is currently full, and you will need to try again later.
Guidelines for Writing Coaching
Review solutions to technical issues by clicking here. If you do not find a solution to the problem, contact the Write Site Coordinator at swatt@athabascau.ca for support.
Academic writing is an integral part of learning and demonstrating your knowledge at university. Thus, the goal of the Write Site is to support you to become an independent academic writer and editor of your own work.
Via the Writing Coach Submission Dropbox, you can submit a current assignment, usually an essay, to a Write Site coach and receive formative feedback in one or more of the following areas:
idea development (e.g. thesis statement, critical thinking, logic, evidence and analysis)
organization (e.g. use of transitions, paragraph coherence, unity, and development)
grammar (e.g. correct sentence structure, verb tense, and pronoun use)
mechanics (e.g. correct punctuation, capitalization, and spelling)
style (e.g. diction and audience considerations, concision, clarity)
Coaches offer feedback on patterns of error, resources for further study, and opportunities for practice. Your job is to review the feedback and resources and use them to revise your paper and identify error types as you edit.
RealTime coaching is similar to written coaching feedback, but it is done via video chat or phone. RealTime coaching is available at any stage of the writing process. You can meet with a coach even if you have not completed a draft of your assignment. However, you are recommended to get your tutor or instructor’s approval of your plan or outline after the coaching appointment before beginning your assignment draft.
Sometimes when students ask for editing or proofreading, what they mean is, “Will you please give me feedback on my writing?” While writing coaches are not editors or proofreaders, we do provide feedback on your writing.
Revising, editing, and proofreading are all parts of the writing process, and you are the writer. Even when you receive feedback from a coach, authorship of your paper remains with you. This means that you must revise, edit, and proofread your own paper.
A writing coach will give you information and strategies to apply as you revise, edit, and proofread. The feedback you receive on your paper will help you complete these stages of the writing process effectively. Learn more about revising, editing, and proofreading here.
No. Feedback will not be given on course content. Contact your tutor or instructor for questions or concerns about course content.
You will receive an email with your feedback within three business days. This excludes weekends and statutory holidays.
Plan ahead. Leave yourself enough time to revise and edit your paper once it is returned.
If you wish to submit two assignments consecutively, note that the drop box will only accept one assignment at a time and will not accept new assignments from you for 24 hours after your previous assignment has been returned. Manage your time to allow for this.
Note that you will receive the email by midnight on the third business day.
Expect to receive approximately 25 comments or five pages of feedback. The feedback will cover approximately three or four areas for improvement.
You can submit as often as you like up to 10 submissions per calendar year. If you reach your maximum and need more support, please contact the Write Site Assistant Coordinator at tundet@athabascau.ca.
If you wish to submit two assignments consecutively, note that the drop box will only accept one assignment at a time and will not accept new assignments from you for 24 hours after your previous assignment has been returned. Manage your time to allow for this.
Unfortunately, no. An assignment can only be coached once. However, we encourage you to email your writing coach for feedback on one or two specific questions about your assignment after it is returned.
Drafts of current assignments work best for coaching. The assignment must be for a current Athabasca University course. For other types of writing, please contact the Write Site Coordinator at swatt@athabascau.ca to request recommended resources.
No. Students can self-refer by choosing to use the service.
Write Site coaches do not provide assessment or evaluation on any aspect of your writing assignment. Writing can be subjective, and professional opinion on your writing may differ occasionally. To get the most out of writing coaching, consider the writing coach’s feedback alongside any feedback from your tutor or instructor.
You would benefit if:
your tutor or professor has identified serious writing problems in your work
English is not your first language
you have writing problems that consistently come up in your work
you learn best in a one-on-one environment
you require additional support for your writing
you would like to have your paper read by a writing expert
We can help. Start by contacting your writing coach for clarification if you do not understand their feedback.
If you still have difficulty incorporating the coach’s feedback, you may be asked to do a RealTime coaching session or you may be referred to a writing course. Contact the Write Site Coordinator for more information at swatt@athabascau.ca.
Writing coaches do not:
Revise, edit, or proofread your paper. As the writer, these tasks are your responsibility. A writing coach will, however, give you information and strategies to improve at these tasks.
Guarantee your desired grade (including a passing grade) on a paper. Papers are marked by tutors and instructors on course content as well as writing skills, and coaches will not provide feedback on course content.
Discuss grades, tutors, instructors or appeals.
Provide feedback on papers that are a part of a course challenge.
Generate ideas or write the paper for you.
If you have a concern, please contact the Write Site Coordinator, Sarah-Jean Watt, at swatt@athabascau.ca for support.
Updated August 06, 2021 by Student & Academic Web Services (sas@athabascau.ca)