Email the student and state that, per POW-C policy, because the paper was submitted less than 24 hours in advance of their appointment, the writing specialist will not be able to review their paper prior to their appointment due to time constraints. Give the student an option to either a) keep the original appointment and have general questions answered or b) reschedule the appointment for a later date, so the writing specialist will have adequate time to review the paper prior to the session. *Note that in certain instances, it may be required by the student's professor that their paper is reviewed in order to receive credit for the session.
1. Ask open-ended questions regarding what the student was hoping to gain from the appointment. It might just be that the student is struggling to voice their goals for the paper. It might also be that they aren’t willing to put in the work that is needed to improve the paper and they want you to provide a “quick fix”. If the latter is true, calmly restate the services/ kinds of edits that a writing specialist is able to provide. Specialists help with grammar and APA. We are ultimately not responsible for grading content. We can only provide our best “guess” on content specific questions based on our own prior educational experiences and the rubric for the assignment. If the student is looking for feedback that is geared more towards a professor or CA, redirect them to the professor or CA for that class.
2. If the situation escalates well beyond the professional relationship you are agreeing to build with the student (i.e. the student is getting hostile), thank them for their time and then, inform them that while you regret not being able to help them in the way that they were hoping to be helped, based on the way your interaction with them is proceeding, you will now need to end the zoom meeting.
3. Email Robin with specifics on what happened so that she is aware and can suggest additional steps when necessary. It might be that this student has had prior difficult interactions with other writing specialists and that more specific boundaries need to be set around this student seeking appointments in the future with the POW-C.
Remind the student that our services are free to all students and designed for learning purposes only. The student can expect to receive feedback on their APA format and writing skills, not line editing services. Students are expected to actively engage during one-on-one appointments and fully incorporate feedback provided to improve their writing skills and confidence.
If the student is interested in editing services, there are additional resources available outside the scope of the POW-C. Students may obtain editing services for a fee here: https://www.editorsforstudents.com/pages/arizona-state-university
-thesis-dissertation-editing
For assignments such as Capstone papers which are longer and more complex, the writing specialist may want to advise the student to make an additional appointment in order to cover all material.
For individuals for whom English is not their first language, more time may be required to assist with spelling and grammar.
If necessary, Robin can add an additional time block to complete the assignment review in full.
A student may log into the Zoom meeting from a location that is not conducive to the POW-C session. For example, from a hotel lobby with many people around and background noise making it difficult to communicate effectively. Ask them if they can move to another location to continue the call. If not, ask them to reschedule.
If a student attends a one-on-one session solely to receive credit from a professor who has made a POW-C appointment mandatory, they must still contribute to the session. If they do not submit a paper and/or have any questions for the writing specialist, notify Robin and do not assign an Attendance code.
Library Guides
○ https://libguides.asu.edu/psy290#s-lg-box-5391349
The PSY 290 ASU Library Guide contains information on how to search for articles, accurately cite references, a list for appropriate databases to search, and how to find and narrow a research topic.
○ https://libguides.asu.edu/psychologyonline
ASU Library guide developed specifically to support the Online Psychology program. It includes information on research topics, databases, and tips specific to PSY 290, 304, and 500.
○ https://libguides.asu.edu/LiteratureReviews
This ASU Library Guide describes what a literature review is, provides recommendations and tips for how to write a literature review, and lists appropriate citation rules to follow.
○ https://libguides.asu.edu/citing/APA
This ASU Library Guide provides resources and links for how to use and write in APA citation style and provides basic information on APA citations and rules.
○ https://libguides.asu.edu/CitationManagement (Graduate Students needing to organize/manage large amounts of references [citation management programs])
Virtual resource for APA style with examples: https://apastyle.apa.org/index
Both Excelsior and Purdue OWLs have downloadable resources and exercises.
https://owl.excelsior.edu/
https://owl.purdue.edu/index.html
Literature Review and Synthesis:
○ https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/synthesis
This resource is a brief article on what synthesis is and how to achieve it, with a video tutorial and examples.
○ https://www.simplypsychology.org/synthesising.html
This resource provides a step by step process on how to achieve a synthesis of sources with many examples.
○ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/literature-reviews/
This resource defines and explains what literature reviews are and offers insights into the form and construction of literature reviews.
Writing:
○ https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/writing-clearly-concisely
This brief article provides tips and information on how to write more clearly with specificity and concisely in academic writing.
● There are additional writing and grammar resources on the ASU Tutoring website: https://tutoring.asu.edu/student-resources/academic-resources
● For ESL students, the Global Education Center through WP Carey, School of Business has resources to provide students and events designed to improve English skills.
○ https://gradstudents.wpcarey.asu.edu/student-resources/global-ed ucation-center/global-education-center