We asked students how getting feedback during the process of working on a paper helped them. Listen to what they had to say.
The Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center serves student writers in all disciplines of the UT academic community by offering free and individualized help throughout the writing process. From the brainstorming stage through final revisions, trained writing consultants provide feedback in one-to-one conversations that help students develop confidence and skill as writers. We also offer a variety of additional resources such as writing guides, workshops, and more to support you as writer. If it’s writing, we can help!
Writing well is an acquired skill rather than a natural talent; people’s ability as creative decision-makers when it comes to writing develops through practice, feedback, and reflection over many years–usually extending well into professional life after graduation! Interactive conversations about the writing process help develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities; writing, thinking, and learning go hand-in-hand. The Herbert Writing Center is here to help you develop your “writing intelligence” and produce meaningful writing that’s relevant to your personal, academic, and professional goals.
Read about recent changes for the Herbert Writing Center that will help amplify its emphasis on the importance of writing to students across all the disciplines on campus.
No appointments are offered between December 11-January 5.
- During the January mini-term, online appointments are offered between January 5-16. Make appointments for any type of writing help using the Undergraduate/Graduate Writing Help schedule at https://UTK.MyWCOnline.com.
- Writing support for students studying abroad during the January mini-term is also available! See Writing Assistance for Study Abroad Students for details.
- In addition, HSS 212 is open as a quiet writing space for graduate writers during this time.
- A variety of online resources are available via our Writing Support page.
In Fall and Spring semesters, in-person and online one-to-one writing consultations are available in the following appointment schedules:
- Undergraduate Writing Help
- Graduate Student Writing Help
- Application Materials Help
- EAL Writing Help (for students for whom English is an additional language)
- Creative Writing Help
- Veterans Writing Help (for students who are veterans or active military service members)
- Writing Assistance for Nursing Graduate Students
Make in-person or online appointments at https://UTK.MyWCOnline.com
- See these instructions for making and attending appointments.
- Appointments may be made between 1 minute and 7 days before the consultation start time.
- 45- or 90-minute appointments are available. (And it’s okay to schedule a 45-minute session even if you don’t think you need that much time!)
- Hours: Mondays-Thursdays 9:45-6:45; Fridays 9:45-3:45; Sundays 4:30-6:45
- Review this information about our writing consultation services and guidelines for accessing them.
Multiple locations across campus make in-person writing help more convenient for you to access! In any of our locations, if a consultant is available, we can make you an appointment on the spot.
- Our main location is HSS 212. If you’re taking a class in or near HSS, drop by before or after class.
- We also have hours in Hodges Library, room 220F. If you’re studying in the Commons or on any other floor, we’re nearby to help you! Look beside the consultants’ names on our schedules for those who work in Hodges Library.
- Do you take classes on the Ag Campus? Visit us in the Agriculture and Natural Resources building (ANR), room 270!
- Are you a veteran or active military service member? Drop in to the Veterans Success Center in Hodges Library G020 or make appointments with our Veterans Writing Help specialists.
- Are you an Engineering student? Come see us in the Zeanah Engineering Study Center in room 319. Walk-in appointments are available on Mondays 10am-1pm. (Not available on Mondays? Make an in-person or online appointment anytime during the week using the Undergraduate Writing Help schedule.)
The Writing Support page details numerous additional resources that support you as a writer:
- Writing guides for multiple disciplines
- An assignment planner tool that breaks down projects into manageable steps
- Workshops that help you develop key academic writing skills
- Guidelines and assistance for using AI, if your instructor allows it
- And more!
Are you enrolled in a first-year composition course (English 101, 102, 112, 131, 132, or 298)? You’re encouraged to enroll in our 1-credit elective English 103 or 104 course at the same time to ensure your success! See our “1-Credit Writing Workshops” page for details.
If you’re registered with Student Disability Services, contact writingcenter@utk.edu to request additional writing consultation time if you have reached the weekly limit for a particular service. Let us know the date and time for the additional appointment you need.
Do you need editing help? You may request that someone edit your work on a private, fee basis. To request a freelance editor, use our “Request for Editing” form. Email the requested information to writingcenter@utk.edu, and we’ll try to put you in touch with an experienced editor. You’ll negotiate the fee directly with that person. While we cannot guarantee that we can find a freelance editor for you, we’ll do our best!
Instructors: We’re here to help you guide your students through their writing processes and to help your students perform well as writers.
- See How the Herbert Writing Center Can Support You and Your Students for information you can share with students on your syllabus and during the semester.
Interested in becoming a Writing Consultant? Students, are you interested in joining our team? Faculty and staff, do you work with a student who would make a great writing consultant? More information about our program and how to apply can be found on our Writing Consultant Training & Professional Development page.
Want to learn more about our Herbert Postdoctoral Fellows?
Learn more about our writing consultant award winners for 2024-25.
The Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center works with students at the local Flagship high schools— Austin-East, Fulton, and Central—on their college application essays and other types of writing. Check out a feature story about the Flagship Writing Project in Higher Ground, a story about our work at Austin-East, how we are helping students apply for college, and our College Admissions Essays writing resources.
Please contact us with any questions!
Email us at writingcenter@utk.edu
Visit us in our main location in Humanities and Social Sciences, Room 212