The Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center supports writers–and the faculty who teach them–across all disciplines of the UT academic community.
If it’s writing, we can help!
When it comes to academic success and career/professional readiness, everything you do involves writing. Through one-to-one consultation appointments, drop-in hours, workshops, and online writing resources, we support you across your entire college journey–from now until graduation.
Writing well is an acquired skill rather than a natural talent. People develop their writing abilities and confidence through practice, feedback, and reflection over many years. That process usually extends well into professional life after graduation! Interactive conversations about the writing process help you develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Writing, thinking, and learning go hand-in-hand.
We’re here to help you develop your writing intelligence and produce meaningful writing relevant to your academic and professional goals.
Information for students
Our trained writing consultants provide feedback in one-to-one conversations to help you develop confidence and skill as a writer.
Writing consultations
Writing help schedules
We offer a variety of schedules to meet your writing needs!
- Undergraduate Writing Support
- Graduate Student Writing Support
- Application Materials Support
- Veterans Writing Support
- Writing Assistance for Nursing Graduate Students
- If English is an additional language for you, select the “Undergraduate Writing Support” or the “Graduate Student Writing Support” schedule at UTK.MyWCOnline.com, depending on your classification. Locate “Display Options” above the calendar to access the “Show All ‘Writing Consultant Specialty’ Options.” Using that drop-down menu, select “EAL” to show the EAL (English as an additional language) specialist consultants.
Make an appointment, or drop by
Appointments:
It’s easy to make an appointment to meet with us!
- Use the WCOnline platform to schedule in-person or online appointments. Visit our webpage for instructions on making and attending appointments.
- Appointments may be made between 1 minute and 7 days before the consultation start time. Appointments are 45 minutes, though you don’t need to fill that entire time if it’s not needed!
Drop-In:
- You can drop by any of our locations during their open hours, and if a consultant is available, we’ll work with you right away!
- In addition, the After-Hours Writing Studio is a calm, inviting location in HSS 212 where you may drop in on weekday evenings to work and write alongside other students. A writing consultant will be available to answer undergraduate students’ quick questions. Open 6:45-9:45 pm, Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays, in HSS 212.
- You can also get drop-in help from other support services in HSS 212:
- Stop in to chat with a Career Coach from Career Development and Academic Exploration on Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30 pm. Michael Hazan serves Humanities, Arts, Music, and Pre-Law students.
- Get help finding sources, navigating databases, and all things Library-related on Fridays, 1:30-3:00 pm. (You can also make an appointment for Library help during this time, via WCOnline; look for “Erin-resource librarian.”)
Please review this information about our writing consultation services and guidelines for accessing them.
Locations across campus
You can find our services all across UT’s campus! You can drop by any of our locations during our open hours, and if a consultant is available, we can make you an appointment on the spot.
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), Room 212
- Hodges Library, Room 220F
- Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR) Building, Room 270
- Veterans Success Center in Hodges Library, Room G020
- Engineering Study Center in Ferris Hall, Room 334
Writing resources
The Herbert Writing Center offers a broad range of resources to help you with any writing project you’re working on.
A few are listed below, and the Writing Support page details numerous additional resources.
Support for Vol Core WC-course students
Are you taking a Vol Core Written Communication (“WC”) course and want to ensure your best performance on the writing-intensive WC-course assignments? Take INPG 203, Interdisciplinary Writing Studio, a 1-credit elective, at the same time!
Support for first-year composition students
Are you enrolled in a first-year composition course (English 101, 102, 112, 131, 132, or 298)?
Enroll in a 1-credit elective, English 103 or 104, at the same time to ensure your success! See the 1-Credit Writing Workshops page for details.
Research-based writing workshops
Working on a research paper or project—whether you’re in social sciences, humanities, business, STEM, or the arts? The Fall 2026 Research-Based Writing Workshop Series is for undergraduates who want practical, low-stress strategies for making research-based writing clearer, stronger, and more original. You’ll learn how to shape a project that matters to you, find and use high-quality sources, and build your own academic voice as you engage with scholarship in your field.
Writing in the disciplines
Our Writing in the Disciplines page contains links to reputable resources that can help your writing in specific subjects.
AI & writing guidelines and support
Are you curious about how to use AI responsibly in your writing assignments? You can talk with a writing consultant about this. Also see GenAI Tools and Writing: Information and Guidelines for Students.
Assignment planners
Sometimes, having a set of steps to follow when working on a writing project can help make the process easier.
Each Assignment Planner breaks down a particular type of writing project into manageable steps–according to your due date. Each step includes a brief suggestion for what to do, plus a link to more detailed instructions with additional resources.
Connect with a freelance editor
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. 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!
Information for faculty
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.
Opportunities to join our team
Writing consultants
- Students: Are you interested in becoming a writing consultant?
- Faculty and staff: Do you work with a student who would make a great writing consultant?
Information about writing consultant hiring and our training program is on our Writing Consultant Training & Professional Development page.
Herbert Postdoctoral Fellows
Our Herbert Postdoctoral Fellow positions offer new or recent PhD students a remarkable opportunity to advance their academic and professional careers. Learn more about our Herbert Postdoctoral Fellows.
What students say about us
Students love coming to the Herbert Writing Center!
Check out our Student Testimonials page to hear all the great things students have to share about working with our writing consultants!
The Herbert Writing Center in the news
Flagship Writing Project
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.
New Home for the Herbert Writing Center
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.
Writing Consultant Award Winners
Each year, we honor four writing consultants for excellence in their work with students. Read more about the 2025 winners.
Contact us!
Please reach out to our staff with any questions. You can email us at writingcenter@utk.edu or visit us in our main location in Humanities and Social Sciences, room 212.