Center for Academic Excellence & Innovation (CAEI)

Mercy College Library and Database Links

Mercy College resources, including online access to peer-reviewed, full-length articles.

APA Style

The American Psychological Association website provides formatting and documentation guidance, as well as an introductory tutorial

The OWL (Online Writing Center) at Purdue

A comprehensive resource for writing and research questions, including general writing issues, APA documentation and advice for ESL writer.

Grammar Girl

As its name suggests, an informative and fun site for grammar queries.

Writing Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Includes short videos on topics ranging from understanding assignments to citation and proofreading.

University Writing Center at A&M

A comprehensive resource, including videos, on a wide range of writing topics.

Academic Success Center at Bucks County Community College

Resources for writing, reading, study skills, AESL, research, literature, and effective speaking.

Will I get to work with a Writing Specialist who knows about my topic?
Rather than offer the discipline-specific assistance you can get from your professors, Writing Specialists help you learn to articulate your ideas to a non-specialist reader. In general, the Writing Center does not match you with a specialist according to your paper topic or course; no matter what the subject matter, our specialists serve as sounding boards, careful readers, and helpful critics.

Can a Writing Specialist read my paper before the appointment?
The Writing Center does not accept papers in advance of appointments. We believe that you will become a better reader and reviser of your own work through the experience of articulating your writing concerns at the beginning of the session. Your Writing Specialist can combine an understanding of those concerns with the perspective of a reader coming fresh to your paper, and then use both to help you think about possibilities for revision. Furthermore, the Writing Center is a popular resource for writers of all levels of experience at Mercy College. If specialists read papers in advance, we wouldn't be able to serve as many students.

How should I prepare for a Writing Center conference?
Please bring a hard copy of the essay draft you would like to work on, assuming you have one. It is also extremely helpful to bring the assignment prompt, any feedback you’ve received on this project from your instructor or advisor, and any key sources that you’re working with. These materials can help a Writing Specialist contextualize your project, and may serve as useful references during the conference. The best beginning to a conference is when you, the writer, have reflected on what kind of help you would like. Be sure to read your draft closely before you arrive, and perhaps jot down some notes indicating what you would like to focus on.

What should I expect when I come in for a writing conference?
The Writing Specialist will ask what you would like to work on during the session. He or she will also ask to see the assignment and to hear about or read any comments you have received on your writing from your professor. The Writing Specialist will discuss your writing with you, which will frequently involve asking you more questions about your ideas and getting you to talk through problems arising in the draft. If you haven't yet written anything, the specialist will help you brainstorm and organize ideas. You can expect to take copious notes. You will spend the last part of the session developing a plan for further writing and revision. If you plan to consult a Writing Specialist about a take-home exam, you must bring written permission from your instructor to the conference.

Still have questions?
E-mail: Tutoring@mercy.edu