Frequently Asked Questions — Graduate Support

Welcome to Writing Services! We're here to support you with your writing projects, no matter what stage you're at. Below are some FAQs that might help you get started.

Accessing Writing Services

Who can access your services?

Our Graduate Writing Advisors work with graduate students, alumni, and faculty. If you’re an undergraduate student, please visit our  Undergraduate Support  page.

How do I make an appointment?

Undergraduate and graduate students can book appointments on WCONLINE.

Do you charge for consultations?

Our services are free of charge for current students, but we also offer paid consultations for faculty and non-U of A clients. If you are a non-U of A client, please indicate that when you email our office, and our admin team can share more information.

How far in advance do I share my writing sample?

We recommend that you share your document 24-48 hours prior to your appointment so that your advisor has adequate time to review your writing.

Can I choose my advisor?

If you are already working with a writing advisor, you should try to book your next appointment with the same advisor. If you are a new client, you can find an advisor with an appointment slot that matches your schedule. We encourage you to work with one advisor per document. Please note that requests to book with a specific advisor are subject to advisor availability.

How many appointments can I book per semester?

In order to support as many students as possible, we have a policy that graduate students can book up to ten appointments with a writing advisor per semester. In addition, we encourage you to access our other services, including workshops. If you have a question about appointments, please ask your advisor, or you can email write@ualberta.ca.

Workshops + Writing Groups

What kind of workshops do you offer?

We offer workshops that focus on building essential writing skills, strategies, and techniques for university-level writing. These workshops are designed to help you overcome common writing problems.

How can I sign up for a workshop?

You can easily sign up for our workshops on campusBRIDGE .

Are your workshops in-person, online, or hybrid?

We deliver some workshops in person and offer others remotely. You can check the mode of delivery for each workshop when you sign up using   campusBRIDGE. 

Are your workshops free of charge?

Yes, our workshops are free of charge for current U of A students. 

Do you run graduate writing groups?

Yes, we offer several writing cafés for current U of A graduate students. If you are interested in joining one of our cafés, please email us at   write@ualberta.ca.

Types of Documents Reviewed

What kinds of documents do you review?

We review academic writing and grant proposal materials. This includes term papers, theses, thesis proposals, conference papers, papers for publication in journals, grant proposals, statements of intent, and leadership statements. 

How many pages do you review at one appointment?

We can review up to eight double-spaced pages double-spaced in one meeting, but this number may vary based on the reason for your appointment.

Do you review CVs and Cover Letters?

Feel free to discuss this with your advisor during the appointment. For more information, you can also visit the   Career Centre.

Do you copy edit theses?

Writing Services offers   academic copy editing  service for some final-stage documents.

Advice + Feedback Provided

What kind of feedback do you give?

We provide feedback on structure and organization, issue framing, clarity, style and tone based on audience, purpose, and academic genre. We also tailor our feedback to reflect disciplinary conventions.

Do you provide subject-specific advice?

Our expertise extends to writing, but we tailor our advice to complement department-specific guidelines. We can help you understand and respond to feedback from your supervisor and provide advice on editing your papers to meet assignment requirements.

Can you recommend appropriate journals for students looking to publish papers?

We do not recommend specific journals. However, we offer a workshop called “Revising a Chapter for Publication,” where we discuss how to choose an appropriate journal and respond to reviewers’ critiques. We can also advise you regarding structural and stylistic edits during one-on-one appointments. 

Do you help edit papers for grammar, spelling, and punctuation?

We might point out patterns of grammatical errors in the process of feedback, but we do not focus specifically on grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Can you give me feedback on citations and formatting?

While we sometimes point out issues with citations when we review your document, we generally do not provide feedback specifically on formatting. You can check with your intended journal or your supervisor to get a better idea of formatting requirements for your specific document. You may also refer to the The University of Alberta “ Citation and Reference Management” page or consult their   subject guides. 

Can you help me with issues related to the writing process (procrastination, writer’s block, anxiety, supervisory relationship)?

We address issues related to student motivation and writing concerns in our individual feedback and in our workshops. We are also happy to discuss the writing process and guide you in navigating common psychological and emotional challenges that affect writing.

Do you give feedback on creative writing (poems, short stories, etc.)?

Our advisors focus on academic writing.

Can you give me feedback on conference/class presentation slides?

You may check with your advisor, because this depends on your presentation. If you want to learn more about presentation skills, you can make an appointment with a   learning advisor.