Advice from Our Writing Tutors

By Alex Adams and Cass Lynch, Writing Center Tutor Alumni

General Advice

GO TO CLASS

This is probably the most important thing you can do in terms of helping yourself with any class. In class, you can ask questions, which is often better than emailing your professor later in the day to ask something reviewed that morning. You also have direct access to your peers who can collaborate with you to break down harder materials, assignments, or to form a study and support group.

Got more questions? Go to office hours!

Office hours are probably one the best tools for students. You can either make an appointment or just drop in, and then you have some one-on-one time with your professor. Use this time as an opportunity to establish a relationship with your professor so you avoid that anonymous, face-in- the-crowd feeling we all experience as college newbies. Professors have office hours for a reason; they want you to drop by and ask for clarification or help with course assignments.

Writing Advice

Stuck? Ask yourself questions. 

Writer's block is one of the most frustrating experiences in a student's college life. You have a paper due and the words just will not come, so what can you do? Sometimes, talking to your paper and asking yourself questions can get those writing juices flowing again. You can start with the material (What is the purpose of this article? How did that event happen? Why do people care about this issue?) or you can interrogate yourself (Why do I like this topic? Why should other people care about this book? How can I explain this concept to people?). As you continue to write, keep asking yourself questions about the reason you are including specific evidence, what the other side of the argument might say, or how something you said is relevant to your audience or topic. If all else fails, have a willing friend or classmate read your paper and you take notes on any questions or comments they have.

Be explicit!

There should be no “beating around the bush” or implicit explanations, especially when it comes to your analysis. You are explaining your argument, and while it might sound logical in your head, it could come off as confusing to your reader. It is always better to lay out everything you can in your paper to solidify your argument. Some students are worried about being too repetitive, but as long as you are not repeating the same idea over and over, it is not bad to clarify yourself. In fact, in academic writing you are expected to thoroughly explain your ideas and include extensive analysis.

Consider the audience.

Every writer has an audience, even if it is themselves. Many first-year students make the mistake of assuming the professor is their only audience, and while they are certainly reading your papers, you need to keep a larger audience in mind. Unless your professor says otherwise, compose papers for a general academic audience. This group includes other faculty, scholars, and your peers. When writing, assume they understand basic concepts about your material, but always explain specialized terminology, theories, and concepts. Keep the audience in mind as you choose evidence for your body paragraphs. This is because academic writing, like social media, is conversational and contributes to a community, even if you do not publish your paper. After all, your research or argument is contributing to a pool of scholarship on a particular topic. Finally, take a moment to read a finished draft of your paper as a reader. Ask yourself if you get stuck on any sentences, concepts, or sections of text, then address those issues while keeping your reader in mind. Reading your paper out loud can often help you locate problem areas.

Know your thesis

A strong thesis presents a clear and arguable position to the audience. It should be very easy to spot in your paper. If you cannot point out your own thesis, consider revising your argument. Give your readers a good understanding of where the paper is going based on the thesis because you have clearly defined what you are claiming or arguing. This also means that if you are examining multiple issues in a paper, they should be listed in sequential order in your thesis. Finally, it does not have to always be the last sentence in your introduction, but the thesis is usually present within the first two paragraphs. If you find yourself truly stuck when writing your thesis, books like They Say, I Say provide templates that can help you get started. There is a copy of this book in the Writing Center that you are welcome to come use.

Remember what you’re analyzing. 

The author’s argument! A lot of students get stuck with the analysis sections of their papers. It ends up coming down to students stating their claim… and ending it there. You need to ask yourself: "Well, how do I know this?" and "Why do I know this?" That is where your evidence comes in: to back up your argument. Imagining a reader's reaction to your argument can also help you determine the type and amount of evidence necessary to support a claim. If you can still find holes in your argument that people might point out, consider adding additional evidence. Then, you could analyze or explain that evidence to help readers see how it supports your thesis or a sub-claim that relates to the thesis.

During your first year is a great time to visit the Writing Center, and it is available as a resource for you throughout your time at SDSU. Our tutors can help you craft your thesis, develop your analysis, or tackle other writing tasks. We can also help you work on new kinds of writing assignments as you move from first-year writing courses to courses in your major.

By Savannah Schlauderaff, Writing Center Tutor Alumnus

Oftentimes students will come to the Writing Center needing to write their own scientific research paper or needing to synthesize/summarize information from already written papers and don’t quite know where to look or start. This will provide brief explanations of the contents and purpose of each section of a scientific paper, which will hopefully help you understand how to quickly break down a research paper to find the specific information you are looking for.

Most scientific research papers will be broken down into the following sections: Abstract, Introduction, Methods/Materials, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. This is sometimes called the IMRD format.  So, depending on what information you are looking for, you can flip directly to a section.

The abstract will give you the overall summary for the findings of the paper. If you are trying to decide if this paper is worth reading in entirety, or if you need to quickly locate results, this is what you should read first. This section concisely provides the most important information from the study. Additionally, many abstracts will end with key words or terms so that the papers can be easily located in a database.

The introduction gives the background to the paper. This is the “so what?” section and will outline why the researcher(s) believe this paper is necessary. This section will almost always end with a hypothesis or research question. So, if you need to figure out the context, history or background for this line of research, this is what you should read first. This section is also helpful for locating primary sources you may want to use for your own paper if it is on the same subject.

The methods/materials section outlines what procedures the researcher(s) carried out and how they designed the study. This is so that others may replicate their study. So, if you need to describe how they carried out their experiment, or how they processed their data, this is where you should look.

The results section may contain tables, graphs and/or charts of the processed data (the raw data may or may not be included in an appendix) along with brief paragraphs explaining the figures. If you need to summarize the findings or describe how they broke down their data, this is where you should look. This is merely a presentation of the data--NOT an explanation of it. I state this as a precaution due to personal experience, wherein the professor would mark down points if an explanation or interpretation of the data was given in this section. This is also one of the harder parts of scientific writing, but keep in mind that this paper format is designed so that all information has its place and can be easily located by readers like yourself.

The discussion section is where the researchers discuss their results, the potential errors or limitations of the study, and future applications of their research. This section will often extract the most important results and connect them back to the introduction and the “big picture.” They may also discuss what they would do differently, how they may expand with new research, or why and how these results expand on already existing studies. If you need to locate the key findings, explain how their findings are relevant or important, or what they could have done to improve their study, you should look here.

The conclusion may be its own section, or it may be included with the discussion. Here the researchers will contextualize their results within the background presented in the introduction. They will also state if their hypothesis was proven or disproven, or if their research question was answered. If you need to understand the impact of their results, you should look here.

This breakdown of a scientific paper is useful not only for students who need to summarize readings from class, but also for those who are working on writing their own. If you are having difficulties starting your own paper, take a look at research papers in your field of study to understand how they are set-up because this will vary by discipline. You might also find our Writing a Scientific Review useful.

By Adam Peterson, Writing Center Tutor Alumnus

The conclusion paragraph is typically the shortest part of the essay, yet it often leaves students scratching their heads and wondering what to write. I’ve noticed that students who come into the Writing Center often ask for help with their conclusions and seem to be unclear regarding what should be included. There isn’t an exact formula for ending your paper, but here are some basic tips that you can keep in mind.

1. Keep It Short and Sweet – Don’t try to do too much with your conclusion. It’s not meant to be lengthy or launch into new topics which you haven’t already discussed. The best approach is to always keep it simple.
2. Review Your Main Points – One of the primary functions of the conclusion is to review/summarize your main points. As stated above, avoid delving into new topics that haven’t already been covered in your paper. Try to summarize your argument without simply repeating all of your topic sentences verbatim.
3. Emphasize Significance/Purpose – Beyond summarizing your main points, the conclusion should highlight the significance or primary purpose of your argument. Imagine that your reader is wondering why your paper matters – the conclusion should give them a definitive answer.
4. Don’t Start with “In Conclusion” Or “In Summary” – This is a very common way to begin conclusion paragraphs, and some professors don’t like it. Though it’s not a huge deal, your conclusion will likely sound more professional and stand out if you make less obvious word choices. Try to transition naturally from your last body paragraph.
5. Tie Back to the Beginning – This is not required in any way, but a good strategy for concluding your paper, that I often recommend, is to reference information you used in the introduction. This brings your argument full circle and gives the reader a feeling of closure.

Also, bring your paper to the Writing Center, where you can discuss the conclusion with a peer-tutor.

If you still find yourself struggling to finish your essay, try looking at a sample paper or asking your professor what they like to see in a conclusion. If this still doesn’t help, you can always come to the Writing Center and get assistance from a tutor.

By Alyssa Cuenca, Writing Center Tutor Alumnus

Writing a cover letter is important because not only does it make you stand out from other job candidates, but it allows you to write professionally about why you are a good fit for a specific organization.  A cover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression on how your educational background, experiences, skills, and goals align with the prospective company. Writing cover letters can be a challenging task, but with proper formatting and necessary information, they can be easy to write. To start off, there are four steps to properly write a cover letter; however, you should always follow employer instructions even if it goes against these directions.

1. Heading

The first part of writing a cover letter is the heading which includes your basic contact information so future employers know how to contact you.  It includes your name, address, phone number, and email address. Next, provide the date and specific organization’s contact information with the hiring professional’s name (if possible), their position, the name of the company, and address. This should be left aligned after your basic contact information. Once you’ve included all the information above, you can move on to write the introduction.

2. Introduction

Whenever possible, begin your introduction by first addressing a specific hiring manager or a hiring authority. (For example, “Dear Mr. Smith” or “Dear Ms. Doe.”) If you cannot find the name of the hiring professional, research the company or give them a call. If you still cannot find the name, then simply state “Dear Hiring Manager.”
You can compose your introduction in various ways, such as providing a brief introduction of yourself, stating that you are a student at a university, or you are currently working part-time or full-time at a specific company. Furthermore, you can include what specific position you are applying for, how you heard of that job position, and why you want to work there.  For MA, Ph.D., or honors students, you can mention any relevant thesis that you worked on or highlight related skills. Once you have provided a brief introduction in your cover letter, you can move on to the argument.

3. The Argument

The argument paragraph is a really important part of your cover letter because you are persuading the manager why you are a good fit for a specific company and what you can do for them. You can talk about specific work experiences that relate to your future job position, internships, skills and abilities, courses taken, and more. Be sure to not go into too much detail; always mirror company language (buzz words, goals, mission statement). You can also mention how your goals/ethics align with the company. 
If, for some reason, you do not have any work experience that relates to the position you are applying for, include some extracurricular activities that you have participated in, any volunteer work that you have done, or any study aboard experience to emphasize the skills that you have acquired participating in these activities. After completing your argument paragraph, move on to the closing paragraph.

4. The Closing

The last step in writing your cover letter is the closing paragraph. You close with a strong reminder of why you are a good match for the job position. Then you include what is going to be your next step, which can vary from stating a specific time frame you will contact that employer (this contact method should be at least a week) to leaving your contact information for the employer to contact you. After that, thank your readers for their consideration. Lastly, to end the cover letter, simply close with “Sincerely, your name.”

Keep in mind that for spacing, every paragraph should be single-spaced with a double-space between paragraphs. In addition, a cover letter should only be one page.

This 4-step process should give you some idea of how to write a cover letter. It is useful for students to follow these steps so they know the proper formatting, structure, organization, and information to be included. If you are still struggling with how to write a cover letter, below you will find some helpful resources that you can take a look at.

• https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/723/03/
• https://go.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/career/coverletters.aspx

Also, feel free to make an appointment at the Writing Center, where tutors can help you with any type of writing, including cover letters!

By Adam Peterson, Writing Center Alumnus

Writing a resume can seem like a daunting task to many people. Some students worry that they won’t have enough experience to include, while others have so much they struggle to fit them on one page. Even more students are unsure what to include in the first place. While there isn’t one absolute template for building a resume, here are some tips that students can keep in mind.

1. Focus on Unique Skills/Qualifications – When listing your skills and experiences, it’s important to focus on the ones which distinguish you from other applicants. Show your potential employers what you can offer that competing applicants can’t. 
2. Include Only Necessary Information – Don’t waste space on your resume. There shouldn’t be anything in there that isn’t absolutely essential to include. For example, employers generally don’t care about what you did in high school or what your favorite hobbies/activities are. Remember that it’s a resume, not an autobiography.
3. Cater Your Resume to the Position You’re Applying For – Different employers could place more emphasis on different qualifications. For those students who are worried that they can’t condense all of their experiences into one page, I often recommend they create alternate versions which focus on different skill-sets. When applying for a specific position, always think of your potential employer as the audience and consider what they will primarily look for in your resume.
4. Choose a Format and Stick with It – There are a few different formats for resumes which are considered acceptable. The important thing is to commit to whichever style you choose. It won’t look good if you combine different styles together or just ignore formatting rules altogether. While formatting isn’t the most important aspect to keep in mind, a resume that looks sloppy or unprofessional won’t help you at all. This link provides a comprehensive look at the 3 common formats for building a resume: https://resumegenius.com/how-to-write-a-resume#Formats 

And remember, you can get some feedback on your resume when you bring it into the Writing Center and talk with a tutor.