For students facing the challenges of academic writing, Bucknell’s Writing Center is a supportive and invaluable resource, dedicated to guiding students through every stage of their writing journey. The Writing Center provides free, one-on-one consultations that aim to improve writing skills across all subjects and disciplines. With personalized, peer-led sessions, workshops and special events, the Writing Center emphasizes collaborative learning, ensuring that each student feels empowered in their writing process.
Students attending a Writing Center session can expect a highly personalized and interactive experience. During a typical session, which usually lasts an hour, students are encouraged to share their specific questions and concerns with a peer writing consultant (PWC). These consultants work alongside students to clarify ideas, refine arguments and ensure that the writer’s message is clear and well-structured. Importantly, these consultants focus on helping students recognize patterns in their own writing, such as recurring grammatical issues, while also enhancing their overall writing process. As a result, sessions tend to be highly collaborative and are less about pinpointing errors and more about guiding students to become more confident, independent writers.
Ava Kowalski ’26, a junior peer writing consultant, describes her role in the center, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the sessions: “The Writing Center is a resource on campus for students to bring in their writing at any point in the process to help develop their writing. A common misconception is that PWCs are people on campus designated to make line edits or mark up your papers, but a typical session looks more like a conversation between two writers. The discussions that occur each session are my favorite part about working at the Writing Center, especially when I learn new things about how different individuals on campus think about different assignments and approach writing; it’s truly a place for everyone to develop as both a writer and as a student.”
The Writing Center is open to all Bucknell students, as well as faculty and staff. English language learners can find a particularly welcoming environment, where they are encouraged to develop writing skills and practice fluency. With PWCs trained to address common linguistic challenges for multilingual writers, these sessions provide a non-judgmental, supportive space for individuals looking to refine their writing in English.
The Writing Center’s inclusivity extends to students from every academic discipline. Although consultants may not be experts in a student’s specific subject area, they are equipped to work with students on papers from any field. Whether tackling a research paper in political science or analyzing a conceptual engineering essay, PWCs are trained to support students in organizing their ideas and articulating their points with clarity. They engage students in discussions about organization, content and argument structure, which builds confidence and helps students take ownership of their work.
Additionally, each session is confidential. Students may choose to share a summary of their session with their professor, but the center’s services prioritize student privacy and autonomy. This confidentiality aims to foster a safe environment where students feel comfortable exploring and developing their writing abilities.
The Writing Center’s offerings extend beyond individual sessions. Throughout the academic year, the center hosts workshops on specialized topics, such as writing for graduate school applications, to help students refine writing for specific purposes. These interactive workshops are suitable for writers at all stages, whether they’re just starting a project or working through a nearly complete draft.
This weekend, the Writing Center is also hosting a special Write-In event on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 7-10 p.m. in the Carnegie Reading Room. The Write-In offers students a quiet, focused atmosphere to work on their writing or other work among peers. With PWCs available for short consultations, students can seek help when needed. Additionally, hot chocolate, tea and snacks will be provided, creating a welcoming environment to tackle assignments alongside fellow writers. For those who may struggle with procrastination or simply find motivation in a shared workspace, the Write-In is an excellent opportunity to concentrate on their writing goals.
For those interested in helping others improve their writing, Bucknell’s Writing Center offers a pathway to become a peer writing consultant through a dedicated training course, UNIV 239: Working with Writers. This spring-only W2 course prepares students to be effective PWCs by focusing on communication skills, critical thinking and teaching strategies. Course activities include small group discussions, writing responses, a semester-long research project and even practice consultations, giving future consultants ample experience and feedback.
In addition to learning the theories behind writing consultant work, students in the course refine their own writing skills and develop interpersonal techniques critical to guiding their peers. The selection process involves an interview with the instructor and a writing sample, ensuring that future consultants are not only proficient writers but also possess the empathy and insight needed to support other students effectively.
Bucknell’s Writing Center plays a crucial role in fostering a supportive, collaborative learning culture. By promoting writing as a process rather than a product, the center encourages students to engage deeply with their ideas and gain confidence in their academic abilities. Whether a student is drafting their first college paper or putting finishing touches on a senior thesis, the Writing Center offers a unique resource dedicated to supporting Bucknell writers on their academic journey.
