Personal Consultations

The Howe Center for Writing Excellence invites you to have individual consultations about any writing you do throughout your years at Miami. Whether you are brainstorming, drafting, revising or polishing, our writing consultants can assist you with the following types of projects:

• Papers, reports, and projects for any course in any department
• Honors theses, Miami Plan capstone projects, master's theses, dissertations
• PowerPoint presentations, websites, digital movies, other non-print projects
• Resumes and applications for fellowships and employment
• Group projects
• Newsletters, announcements, and fliers for student organizations
• Self-sponsored projects you undertake on your own initiative

Who are the consultants?

All consultants are Miami undergraduate or graduate students who have taken a course to prepare for their work.

Interested in becoming a consultant? For information, see Becoming a Howe Center Writing Consultant.

 

 

Locations

• Howe Writing Center: King Library, First Floor
• Windate Writing Center: 18 Peabody (Western Campus)

Hours

Howe Writing Center
Monday - Thursday	11:00 - 9:00
Friday	11:00 - 5:00
Sunday	1:00 - 9:00
Windate Writing Center
Sunday - Thursday	3:00 - 9:00

Appointments

• Make one online
• Come to the Welcome Desk at either the Howe or Windate Center.

Walk-in assistance

• Provided whenever a consultant is available, but our appointment book is often full.

What you should bring

• The assignment
• Relevant books, articles, or other resources you're using
• Any writing you've already done, including notes, outlines, or early drafts
• Any feedback you've already received

FAQ

How long is an appointment?

• Forty-five minutes

Is there anything I should do to prepare for a consultation?

• There's no formal preparation for your consultation. It's helpful, though, if you come to the center with some ideas about what you'd like to work on.

Do I need to print out my paper?

• No. You can email the document to yourself and then print it out using one of the center's laptops and the center's printer. If you prefer, you and the consultant can read your writing from the screen.

Should I bring my laptop?

• It's up to you. The Howe and Windate Centers have laptops you can use during your consultation.

When I arrive at the center, what should I do?

• Check in at the Welcome Desk. The person there will introduce you to your consultant.

What goes on during a consultation?

• While no two consultations are exactly alike, all share the same overall pattern. You and your consultant will do the following
  1. Discuss your assignment and goals for the consultation.
  2. Plan an agenda for the consultation.
  3. Talk about your project, adjusting your agenda if doing so will be helpful.
     
  4. Write a brief summary of the session and your plans for following up. The summary will be emailed to you and also kept in the Center's files.
     
  5. You will be asked to complete a brief evaluation of your consultation.

Can I use the Center's space if I don't have an appointment?

• Yes. You're always welcome here. As long as there's an open table or chair we don't need for a consultation, you're invited to make yourself at home at the Howe and Windate Centers.