Writing centers are places that support writers. Most writing centers are in schools and colleges, though there are some community centers and businesses that have writing centers, too. Writing centers vary in approach and staffing. Though thousands of writing centers exist all over the world, there are no two that are exactly the same.
In the US, writing centers first became popular in universities and colleges in the 1970s and 1980s. Now, most US colleges and universities have a writing center. In most of these centers, the main approach to helping writers is through one-to-one tutoring sessions. The tutors are typically students, so they are called "peer tutors," and they are trained and supervised by a director.
Over the last 20 years, there have been more and more writing centers in K-12 schools, too. Most are in middle and high schools. Like at the college writing centers, the tutors are typically students. Usually, a teacher is the director and works to train and supervise the tutors. In schools, the writing center may be open before or after school, during a study period during the school day, during lunch, or at some schools, all day long. The writing center might be in a classroom, a library, or in its own room.
One common belief among those who work in writing centers is that writing is important. Good writing can communicate a message, make a change, and can move people. Being a strong writer will help in school, college, careers, and just generally in life. On our computers, tablets, and phones, nearly all of us write every day.
A second common belief among those that work in writing centers is that everyone gets better at writing from practice at writing and getting reader feedback. As some say, “every writer needs a reader.” So even though someone is not an expert in writing, they can still be helpful as a peer tutor because they can respond to a text as a reader. With training and effort, anyone can learn how to give good feedback.
In addition to one-to-one tutoring, many writing centers offer other options to support writers. They may offer workshops on popular types of writing like comic book writing or bullet journaling. They might publish a literary journal or have a writing contest to showcase the writers at their schools. Or, they might simply offer a space for writers to work with the technology and supplies in the writing center to make writing easier.
Whatever form they take, writing centers provide huge benefits. For students, a writing center provides another option for getting feedback on drafts. Some students feel uncomfortable asking a teacher for help but will work with a peer tutor in a writing center because it is less intimidating. Additionally, some students want more feedback than a teacher has time for in class. The writing center can help provide additional individual attention. In this way, tutoring also helps teachers. Tutors, of course, do not “correct” or grade writing, but they can help by giving feedback. Additionally, peer tutors in writing centers benefit a lot from tutoring: they improve as writers themselves, gain confidence, and gain professional skills and experience that can help them throughout their lives.
Watch this video on the value of a writing center in a school and then make a list with a fellow tutor of the ways that a writing center could benefit your school.