Metro Writing Studio

One of the top academic priorities of the Metropolitan Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University is to graduate students who are competent and confident writers. To advance this goal, the Campus Writing Initiative, an innovative, comprehensive, campus-wide commitment to student writing, was adopted. The Metro Writing Studio supports the Campus Writing Initiative and reinforces the philosophy of the Writing Program. The Studio is staffed with professional tutors who provide students with assistance in all steps of the writing process. Because our aim is to produce better writers — not just better writing — our tutors work closely with students to help them acquire for themselves the writing skills they need not only in their classes but in their future careers as well. Accordingly, tutors do not provide editing or proofreading services; rather, they help students learn how to express themselves clearly and coherently in any writing situation they may encounter. In addition, the Studio offers a range of workshops designed not only for students but also for faculty, staff, and the community. We provide a welcoming (and wireless) space where you can write or simply read and study, so visit the Metro Writing Studio soon and often!

The professional tutors at the Metro Writing Studio provide free academic support services to help students, faculty, and staff at Fairleigh Dickinson University improve student writing skills. Tutoring and workshops are offered in the Studio, which is a space designed to accommodate one-on-one, small group, and classroom instruction. Students have access to Studio laptops when working with tutors or attending class in the Studio (or they may bring their own laptops); wireless access to the Internet is available to those who have an FDU Webmail account.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome back to Spring 2020 semester at the Metro Writing Studio. 

We are open daily for drop-in tutoring services Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM,  Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00PM, and Sunday 1:00 PM to 5:00PM. We are here to help support any of your writing related assignments or questions. You do not need an appointment, although appointments can be made under special circumstances. Please check out the weekly schedule of events located on the left designed to help improve your academic success throughout the year. Please stop by the studio, located on the Second Floor of the Giovatto Library, or call us at 201-692-2166 with any questions you may have.

Please review all our services located in the navigation links on this webpage. Please call us with any questions at 201-692-2166. We look forward to seeing you and thanks for visiting.

Tutoring Schedule

Our free tutoring is available to all FDU students, faculty, and staff with a valid ID. No tutoring is available on Saturdays.

Drop-in

Monday (10am – 7pm)

  • D.Simons: 10:00 – 2:00 
  • D.Maclean: 12:00 – 4:00
  • R. Chavious: 3:00 – 7:00

Tuesday (10am – 7pm)

  • I. Konstandinis: 10:00 – 2:00
  • T.Gibson: 12:00-4:00
  • Y. Shekhtman: 1:30 – 5:30 
  • R. Chavious: 2:00 – 7:00

Wednesday (10am – 7pm)

  • J. Adams: 10:00 – 2:00
  • James Veach: 12:00-4:00
  • R. Chavious: 3:00 – 7:00

Thursday (10am – 7pm)

  • H.Kuttner: 10:00 – 2:00
  • Y.Shekhtman: 30-5:30
  • R. Moskowitz: 3:00 -7:00

Friday (10am – 4pm)

  • J. Horna: 10:00 – 2:00
  • D. Simons: 12:00 – 4:00
  • T. Gibson: 1:00 -4:00

Sunday (1pm – 5pm)

  • T. Gibson: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Our free tutoring is available to all FDU students, faculty, and staff with a valid ID. No tutoring is available on Saturdays. NOTE: APPOINTMENTS ALSO AVAILABLE. Tutoring schedules subject to change.

Workshop Schedule

Technical and Scientific Writing
February 13th (TH) 
3:00 –4:00 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Scientific writing is its own animal. It has a specific goal and a very specific audience. Helen Kuttner will introduce beginning practical approaches for students in the sciences who need to learn how to write in their field. 

Recognizing and Avoiding Plagiarism
February 20st (TH) 
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Yelena Shekhtman will teach students how and when to quote and/or paraphrase from an original source – and how to acknowledge that source – so that they can learn how to avoid committing plagiarism accidentally.

What is Critical Writing?
February 24th (M)
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
What is the critical perspective? And, how do students demonstrate it in their writing? This is a workshop led by Danielle Des Fosses that first explains the necessary point of view, and then the steps needed to carry out research that supports analysis to this aim in student writing. 

Essential Spoken English for International Students
February 26th (W)
7:30 – 8:30 PM
Metro Writing Studio
Culled from Professor Paul Caruso’s teaching experiences abroad, this participatory workshop will help international students improve their English conversation skills in the classroom and among their peers. Required; attendance is limited to twenty-five participants. (Registration required). 

Introduction to APA Format
March 2nd (M)
3:30- 4:30 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Danielle DesFosses will cover the basics of APA formatting, commonly used to cite sources in academic writing, and guide students through practice exercises. This workshop will be repeated on March 25thh. 

Writing the Undergraduate Thesis
March 3rd ( T)
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Metro Writing Studio
This workshop is designed for undergrads in the Honors Program but is useful for everyone who has to write a researched thesis paper. Paul Caruso will first explain what writing a thesis entails before guiding you through the project management strategies useful for organizing research and for writing the thesis over the academic year. The same material will be covered at both workshops. (Does not count for EPS credit)

Advanced APA Format
March 5th (TH)
1:30 – 2:30 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Designed for those who know the basics of APA, this workshop, presented by Helen Kuttner, will offer a brief overview before launching into more complicated citation issues. A question answer period will follow for your specific APA format questions. 

Common Essay Patterns
March 5th (TH)
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Helen Kuttner will review the various patterns available to writers for composing essays before examining strategies for writing clear and effective argumentative, compare/contrast, and cause and effect essays. (Registration required)

Writing the Undergraduate Thesis
March 5th (TH)
3:00 – 4:30 PM
Metro Writing Studio
This workshop is designed for undergrads in the Honors Program but is useful for everyone who has to write a researched thesis paper. Paul Caruso will first explain what writing a thesis entails before guiding you through the project management strategies useful for organizing research and for writing the thesis over the academic year. The same material will be covered at both workshops. (Does not count for EPS credit)

Is It Legit –Evaluating Sources Online
March 5th (TH)
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Kathleen Stein-Smith will take us online to teach us how to evaluate the credibility of the different sources we find online and to discuss what sources are considered appropriate for academic research.

Introduction to APA
March 25th (W)
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Danielle DesFosses will cover the basics of APA formatting, commonly used to cite sources in academic writing, and guide students through practice exercises. This is a repeat of the workshop presented on March 5th. 

How to Write the Master’s Thesis
March 18th (W)
7:30 – 8:30 PM 
Metro Writing Studio
Paul Caruso will first explain what writing a Master’s thesis entails before guiding you through the steps needed to organize, write, and complete your Master’s thesis using project management strategies. (Registration required)

Basic Grammar
March 23st (M)
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Rochelle Moskowitz focuses on The Comma as it affects sentence structure, compound, and complex sentences, with some attention to the sentence fragment. Students will learn what makes a great sentence. 

Advanced APA Format
March 31 (T)
3:00-4:00 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Designed for those who know the basics of APA, this workshop, presented by Helen Kuttner, will offer a brief overview before launching into more complicated citation issues. A question answer period will follow for your specific APA format questions. This is a repeat of the workshop scheduled on March 5th. 

Creating the Works Cited List
April 2nd (TH)
1:30 – 2:30 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Yelena Shekhtman will lead this workshop designed for those who are familiar with the basics of MLA parenthetical citation; she will focus on how to create the works cited list.

Basic Grammar
April 8th (W)
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Rochelle Moskowitz hosts a grammar workshop on Definite and Indefinite Articles and how to employ them in student writing.

Basic Grammar
April 22nd (W)
11:00 -12:00 PM
Giovatto Library Auditorium
Do it! Rochelle Moskowitz reviews using Imperative Verbs effectively!

ESL Conversation Schedule

September 10,2019

  • WELCOME
  • 2:45pm – 3:45pm

September 24,2019

  • GOODBYE SUMMER/HELLO FALL
  • 2:45pm – 3:45pm

October 08,2019

  • HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
  • 2:45pm – 3:45pm

October 22,2019

  • HOMONYMS AND HOMOPHONES
  • 2:45pm – 3:45pm

November 05,2019

  • NOVEMBER CELEBRATIONS/ HOLIDAYS
  • 2:45pm – 3:45pm

November 19,2019

  • HAPPY THANKSGIVING
  • 2:45pm – 3:45pm

Non-native speakers of English are invited to come practice their spoken language skills with help from Jeanette Adams at the Metro Writing Studio on six Tuesdays this semester. Jeanette Adams will guide the students in informal conversation, assist with pronunciation, and answer questions about colloquial English. Attendance is limited and registration is required; Call 201-692-2166 to register.

Referral form

Referral forms are not necessary; tutoring is available on a drop-in basis. However, faculty may refer students to the Writing Studio by printing, completing, and giving a referral form to those students in need of assistance.

To print out a referral form please click here: Referral Form

FAQ’s

The Metro Writing Studio provides free, individualized tutoring in writing and writing workshops to help students, faculty, and staff at Fairleigh Dickinson University improve their writing skills.

  • Where is the Metro Writing Studio?
    We are located on the second floor of the Frank Giovatto Library (on the Metropolitan campus in Teaneck) behind the Reference/Circulation Desk.
  • What are the hours of operation?
    Monday-Thursday 10.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.Friday 10.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m.,Sunday 1.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m..The Studio, which offers wireless connection to the Internet to those with an FDU webmail account, is open as a quiet and comfortable study space whenever the library is open.
  • Who may use the Studio?
    Students who are matriculated at Fairleigh Dickinson (whether undergraduate or graduate, part-time or full-time), faculty, and staff are eligible to make use of all the Studio’s offerings.
  • What kind of help do the tutors provide?
    Tutors assist students with all phases of the writing process from brainstorming ideas to polishing the final draft. We do not, however, offer proofreading or editing services; our goal is to teach students how do such things for themselves.
  • Do I need to make an appointment to see a tutor?
    No, we see students mainly on a drop-in-basis (limited appointments become available later in the semester). On occasion, you might have to wait before a tutor is free to work with you, so plan your time wisely. Be sure to fill out a Request for Tutoring Form upon your arrival.
  • What should I bring when I see a tutor?
    You should bring the assignment given to you by your instructor, the materials (such as articles or books) upon which the assignment is based, and a printed copy of what you have written so far.
  • What other types of services does the Studio provide?
    Throughout the semester, we offer workshops on various writing-related topics such as how to recognize and avoid plagiarism and how to use MLA and APA citation formats. International students can practice their speaking skills six times a semester at our English conversation workshops.

Faculty and Tutors

Director, Metro Writing Studio

Julia Wagner
Senior Lecturer, School of the Humanities
Phone: (201) 692-2165
Mail Stop: T-GL1-03
Jawagner@fdu.edu
Tutors

  • Rochelle Moskowitz
  • Jeanette Adams
  • Paul Caruso
  • Terry Gibson
  • Rose Grimaldi
  • Josephine Horna
  • Elizabeth Johnson
  • Jeannie Kang-Suh
  • Helen Kutner
  • Deborah Maclean
  • Patricia Miller
  • Barbara Morris
  • Yelena Shekhtman

Graduate Assistants

  • Devanshi Patel
  • Kartik Bhaktha
  • Akshay Venkatesh