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WELCOME TO THE WRITING COMMONS

The Writing Commons at the Air University (AU) Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) fosters opportunities for collaboration in academic writing and instruction across AU, and includes the broad functions of faculty support and student writing.  In support of AU faculty, the Writing Commons provides workshops, seminars, lectures, and presentations supporting academic writing and instruction.  In support of AU student writing, the Writing Commons manages the Resident Writing Lab located in the Teaching & Learning Center and maintains the Online Writing Lab.  The Writing Commons:   

  • Fosters “Writing Communities” to create networks in which faculty come together to support one another in writing efforts
  • Collaborates with AU schools and programs to provide workshops, seminars, lectures, and presentations supporting academic writing and instruction
  • Manages the Resident Writing Lab and maintains the Online Writing Lab (OWL)
  • Participates in faculty support and outreach to improve writing instruction
  • Promotes awareness of the TLC writing labs
  • Provides faculty consultation
  • Maintains subject-matter expertise in writing and writing instruction

RESIDENT WRITING LAB

 
  • Supports resident AU students in becoming more effective and confident academic writers 
  • Assists AU students at all stages of the writing process and at all levels of writing ability
  • Provides supportive writing specialists who tutor one-on-one and in small groups with AU students to hone their writing skills

  • Enhances the academic writing experience of international military students as English as a Second Language (ESL) learners at AU 

ONLINE WRITING LAB (OWL)

       
  • Serves a wide-ranging clientele beyond resident AU students and faculty that includes AU nonresident students, Airman worldwide, and the general public with academic writing and instruction
  • Provides convenient access to online and print resources and materials on academic writing and instruction through the public OWL website maintained by the Air Force Public Information Management System (AFPIMS), and the private OWL SharePoint through AU (Common Access Card required)
  • Provides an online repository of recorded workshops, seminars, lectures, and presentations
  • Access the OWL resources and writing materials by clicking Online Writing Lab or by navigating the Student Writing menu to the right

STUDENT FAQs

Explore How the Writing Commons Supports Student Writing:

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the functions of the Writing Commons, Writing Lab, and Online Writing Lab?

    • The Writing Commons fosters opportunities for collaboration in academic writing and instruction across Air University (AU), and includes the broad functions of faculty support and student writing inside and outside of the classroom.  The Writing Commons manages the Resident Writing Lab and maintains the Online Writing Lab (OWL).  The OWL serves AU faculty, AU nonresident students, Airman worldwide, and the general public.  The Resident Writing Lab, housed at the AU Teaching & Learning Center, supports resident AU students. 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where is the Resident Writing Lab located?

  • The Resident Writing Lab is located in Room 233 of the Teaching & Learning Center on the Second Floor, East Wing of the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center (Building 1405).
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I get additional writing support?
       
  • The Writing Commons administers and manages a public Online Writing Lab (OWL) through the Air Force Public Information Management System (AFPIMS), and a private OWL through the Air University (AU) SharePoint (Common Access Card required).  The public OWL serves Airmen worldwide and the general public.  The OWL on the AU SharePoint requires a Common Access Card and supports Airmen worldwide and AU students and faculty.
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What kind of service does the Writing Lab offer?

     
  • The Writing Lab offers 45-minute one-on-one tutoring sessions to all Air University (AU) students.  Students are limited to one session per day, no more than two sessions per week, and no more than three sessions for any written assignment.  Additionally, the Writing Lab provides academic lessons, workshops, and small group tutoring services.  AU students should access the Writing Commons SharePoint to learn about upcoming events. 
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How do I schedule a tutoring session?

       
  • Walk-ins are welcome, but are seen on a first come, first served basis.  You are highly encouraged to schedule your tutoring session through the Writing Commons SharePoint (Common Access Card required).  Once you access SharePoint, schedule your session using the Writing Lab Tutoring Scheduler.
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How do I prepare for a tutoring session?

  • Bring your writing assignment instructions and rubric, relevant notes and readings, and a hardcopy of your assignment if in progress.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What should I expect during a tutoring session?
 
  • You should play a leading role in the conversation and the direction of the tutoring session.  You will meet with a writing tutor and discuss how you are approaching your assignment.  You should come prepared to address your concerns and have a few questions in mind.  If you have not started the writing process, then you and the tutor will explore your ideas for developing your written assignment, topic selection, purpose, and thesis development. 
  • If you have already written something, then we will read through it, and the tutor will address the strengths and weaknesses of your writing.  We will discuss the organization of your argument, your thesis, and the evidence supporting your thesis.
  • We will NOT edit or proofread your assignment.  However, in reviewing the assignment, the writing tutor will help you learn how to identify patterns of error and strategies for fixing them.  
  • At the end of the tutoring session, you will be asked to complete a brief survey so we can continue to improve our Writing Lab services.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What should I NOT expect?

        

  • We will NOT edit or proofread your assignment.  However, in reviewing the assignment, the tutor will help you learn how to identify patterns of error and strategies for fixing them.  You will not leave with a perfect paper.  Rather, the goal of the tutoring session is to help you become a more effective and confident writer over the long term.
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How can the Online Writing Lab assist me?

  • The Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides convenient access to online and print resources and reference materials that support academic writing and research.  Through the Writing Commons SharePoint (Common Access Card required) you can schedule your tutoring session using the Writing Lab Tutoring Scheduler.

FACULTY FAQs

Explore how the Writing Commons Supports Faculty Writing Instruction:

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Where can students get additional writing support?

  • The Writing Commons manages a public Online Writing Lab (OWL) through the Air Force Public Information Management System (AFPIMS), and a private OWL through the Air University (AU) SharePoint (Common Access Card required).  The public OWL serves Airmen worldwide and the general public.  The OWL on the AU SharePoint requires a Common Access Card and supports Airmen worldwide and AU students and faculty.
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As Air University faculty, how can the Writing Commons support my writing instruction?

        

  • The Writing Commons fosters opportunities for collaboration in academic writing and instruction across Air University (AU), and includes the broad functions of faculty support and student writing. 
  • The Writing Commons provides convenient access to online and printed instructional materials on academic writing and scholarly resources on teaching academic writing.  Additionally, the Writing Commons provides workshops, seminars, lectures, and presentations supporting academic writing and instruction across AU schools and programs.
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What should I expect from students I teach who visit the Writing Lab?

     

  • Students should play a leading role in the conversation and the direction of the tutoring session.  Students will be asked how they are approaching their assignment, and should come prepared to address their concerns.  It is also helpful if they arrive at the Writing Lab with a few questions in mind.  
  • Students will not leave with a perfect paper. Rather, the goal of the tutoring session is to help students become more effective and confident writers over the long term.  We will NOT edit or proofread assignments.  However, in reviewing the assignment, the Writing Lab helps students learn how to identify patterns of error and strategies for fixing them.
  • Students are limited to one session per day and no more than two sessions for any written assignment. 

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600 Chennault Circle
Maxwell AFB, AL  36112