Welcome to the Writing & AI Literacy Center! As part of College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Learning Commons, we serve students by providing support for their academic success. With a focus on building skills in writing, critical reasoning, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy, students are invited to bring all varieties of writing projects and AI-related questions our way.
Our Services
At the Writing Center, we are loyalists to the vision that each CWI student came here to pursue. We serve students by providing support for their academic success in writing, critical reasoning, and AI literacy. In working with students on writing projects and on navigating AI’s rapidly evolving impact, we offer the moments that turn into movements as students own their capacity to articulate and express, contribute and advance, and arrive at what success means for them.
While the Writing Center does not proofread or edit work, we can work alongside you to:
- Offer writing support on any project, in any class, and at any stage of the writing process.
- Teach revision strategies and writing skills that apply to countless writing contexts.
- Develop critical thinking and reasoning skills that build confidence, knowledge, and success — in the classroom and onward.
- Provide a space for exploring AI: from guidance on AI materials at CWI to gaining an essential understanding of what AI is, we are your supporters and guides.
Let's connect! We offer in-person and online appointments. You can also send us your writing to receive written feedback.
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AI Literacy
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly impacting education and the workforce. From varying AI sections in syllabi, to conversations on campus, and class assignments that involve using AI tools, it is changing the learning environment in ways that affect the student experience. Beyond the classroom, many jobs and industries are also advancing with AI technology, making AI literacy important and valuable for students to acquire as part of the skills requisite for success in the workforce.
The Writing Center is committed to being a steady hand for students, and we know that feeling confident, informed, and secure are important for this. It is why we have innovated our services to focus on student success throughout the AI-informed learning journey.
At the Writing Center, we:
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Teach students about practical approaches and concepts in AI, using AI tools ethically, and how to enhance individual learning.
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Help students navigate the learning environment by understanding syllabi, assignments, and other content that involve AI.
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Provide students with an essential understanding of AI to build an AI literacy that supports success in the workforce, now and in the future.
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Offer students a safe space to ask questions, share experiences, and join conversations about AI.
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Ways to Connect with Us
Students can access Writing Center support in various ways:
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In-person and online appointments: Meet with a consultant at one of our campus locations or virtually.
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ACES: Send a draft of your writing through our email service, and a consultant will provide written feedback, guidance, and responses to specific questions—all without meeting for an appointment.
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Stop by for a visit and to ask general questions. We welcome conversations and are happy to accommodate walk-in appointments whenever a consultant is available.
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Revision Tips
Writing is a process, and revisions are a key component to good writing. Keep in mind:
- Give yourself plenty of time to revise. "Resting" your draft by revisiting your writing at a later time is important for a successful writing experience.
- Feedback provided by the Center are suggestions; since this is your writing, you get to decide how best to use the feedback in ways that keep you in charge of your writing.
- Feedback typically doesn't cover all potential areas for revisions or corrections. Rather, our consultants will engage with your work and guide you through the areas where feedback seems most needed.
- When working with a consultant, we welcome specific questions or requests you may have with certain parts of your work. Just ask.
- After making changes to your work, consider submitting a revised draft, or schedule an appointment for follow-up feedback. We're committed to helping you throughout your student experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What can the Writing Center help with?
Our consultants are experienced in writing composition, critical inquiry and reasoning, AI essentials, and are amazing listeners. We work with a variety of writing from all across the disciplines, including academic and creative writing, personal statements for graduate or professional schools, applications for internships, and scholarships. We can also help with reports or with writing specific to your work industry.
Writing Center services do not include proofreading or editing. That said, consultants help to locate patterns of error and work with you on improving.
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What if I don't have anything written yet?
While a draft is helpful, it's not required. Our team is happy to help brainstorm ideas to get you started.
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How often may I schedule an appointment?
To ensure you have time to work on your writing between visits to the Writing Center, and to provide opportunities for other students seeking support, appointments are limited to:
- 1 appointment per day, either 30- or 60-minute sessions.
- 2 hours per week, Monday through Friday. (ACES does accept weekend draft submissions.)
- 1 assignment per session.
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What should I bring to my appointment?
The most important thing to bring to your Writing Center appointment is an openness to work on your writing! Other things that help make a session successful are the assignment sheet, class notes, or course materials that pertain to the assignment and any written work you have completed so far.
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How many pages can we review during my appointment?
To optimize the quality of feedback on your writing, seven pages is the maximum amount for one appointment. Please schedule additional appointments for papers more than seven pages long. If you have a paper exceeding seven pages but are only looking to focus on a section, we are happy to do so.
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Does my writing have to be printed?
While our team is happy to review your writing on any medium, bringing a printed copy provides an easy way to take notes and can offer a helpful visual of the work altogether. If you do not have a printed copy available, please be prepared with a digital version.
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How do I obtain verification for my visit?
Upon request, we can email you an appointment verification of your visit.
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What is the cancellation policy?
- Appointments are marked as completed after 10 minutes into an appointment block.
- If a student arrives 10 or more minutes late to their appointment, they will be asked to reschedule, and it will be marked as missed / no-show.
- If you make an effort to communicate with us within 24 hours of your missed appointment, missed / no-show will be removed from your account.
- Three missed / no-shows with no communication will result in being blocked from scheduling future appointments for the rest of the semester. Students may still utilize the Writing Center through walk-in appointments and can still send drafts through ACES.
- If we happen to miss an email or phone call to cancel your appointment and the appointment is marked as missed / no-show, we will correct the error.
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Hours
| Day | Hours |
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| Monday - Thursday | 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Meet Our Staff
- Writing Center Director