Writing Center

Online Tutorials

Like our in-person tutorials, online tutorials are discussion-based, meaning that participants talk about their writing. Clients upload Microsoft Word or plain text documents to Carmen, tutors read it, and both discuss the paper via either Carmen's chat function or those on MSN or Yahoo. Instant Messenger tutorials (like those on Carmen) move a little slower than face-to-face tutorials, but this means that participants have more time to consider what they're going to say. Also, transcripts are archived online in Carmen after the tutorial, so clients can revisit the ideas discussed online. IM tutorials using the MSN or Yahoo VOIP system are much more like face-to-face discussions of writing.

Check out a sample online tutorial.

How to upload your writing for an online or telephone tutorial:

• Schedule your tutorial online or by calling 688-4291. You will receive an email confirming your appointment. For a phone tutorial, include your MSN or Yahoo address in the text box labeled "In the space below, write a brief description of your concerns."
• At least an hour ahead of your appointment time, logon to Carmen with your OSU username (name.#) and password.
  • Under "My Courses," click on the [+] symbol in front of "Special."
  • Click on the [+] symbol next to "College of Humanities."
  • Click on the "Writing Center" link.
  • On the red bar on the top of the page, click on "Dropbox."
  • Click on "Client's Uploads."
  • Click on "Browse" next to the file textbox and locate your Word.doc file.
  • Click on "Upload."
  • Click on "Logout" at the top right hand corner of Carmen.
• How to meet your tutor
  • For an online tutorial: A few minutes before your tutorial time, log back into the Writing Center on Carmen.
    • On the red bar on the top of the page, click on "Chat."
    • Under "Personal Chats," click on your name. This will take you to the chat window, where your tutor will be waiting for you.
  • For a telephone tutorial using your MSN or Yahoo account:
    • Attach a headset to your computer.
    • Log on to your MSN or Yahoo account
    • Add osuwritingcenter@hotmail.com or osuwritingcenter@yahoo.com.
    • Chat using the phone feature of your IM program.