Writing Center

Amherst College is a community of scholars and artists. Informed by our own experience and reflection, as well as by our interactions with scholars and artists around the world and throughout time, we aim to gain the sort of understanding with which we can “illuminate the earth” through effective communication.

Remote Availability

The Writing Center is open during COVID-19:

  • Students, you can book appointments with our staff through the WCOnline scheduling system, which is now enabled for remote appointments and asynchronous email feedback. 
  • Thesis students looking for Weekly Thesis Write-Ins, accountability groups, and a supportive community can join the Thesis Community on Moodle. 
  • Faculty, email writing@amherst.edu for consultations and questions about writing and speaking in your virtual classes. We have also added a new pedagogy resources page.

Writing Center COVID-19 FAQ

Writing is a cornerstone of a liberal arts education. By developing the skills and habits of mind that enable effective communication, students prepare to engage meaningfully with the world. The Writing Center empowers students to develop their own processes and voices as writers, speakers, readers, and learners. Our commitment to inclusion, creativity, and rigorous intellectual engagement informs our approaches to individual consultations, group instruction, programming, and pedagogical support.

A person's hand writing on a piece of paper with a mechanical pencil

Make an Appointment

We can help you to brainstorm, organize, revise, or reflect on your writing. Schedule a meeting at any stage in your writing process. Our 45-minute appointments may be booked in our online scheduler.

Log In or Register

Support for Writing and Speaking

At the Writing Center, a professional staff of writing and speaking associates is eager to listen to your ideas and facilitate conversations about process and pedagogy for harnessing the written and spoken word.

For Students

The Charles Pratt dormitory on a sunny day

We’re Located in Charles Pratt

Visit us in 101 Charles Pratt Hall. Make an appointment to visit us during the academic year: Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, and Sunday 11 am - 8 pm.

We offer a wide variety of services for students, including individual appointments and workshops.

  • Individual Writing Appointments: Schedule a time for one-on-one conversations about a specific writing project or for sustained instruction on the writing process, English language support, writing counseling to address mental obstacles to effective writing, or honors thesis support.
  • Public Speaking Coaching: Meet with Susan Daniels to plan, revise, and rehearse a presentation, or to learn strategies for relaxing and gaining confidence in front of a live audience. Speech coaching is available for individuals or groups presenting together.  
  • Workshops: Hands-on group instruction of writing, reading, and speaking skills

Visit our student page to learn more.

For Faculty & Instructional Staff

We offer services for faculty, including in-class workshops designed to meet the writing or speaking needs of your students, pedagogical consultations, and occasional seminars on the teaching of writing. In addition, we offer occasional writing retreats during academic breaks and a liaison program to better connect writing associates with the faculty of First-Year Seminars.

Visit our faculty page to learn more.

Public Speaking

We offer individual consultation and coaching for students, faculty and staff, and faculty may request customized speaking support for their courses.

Visit our public speaking page to learn more.

A laptop computer on a table

Online Resources

The following web sites present relevant advice, examples, and instruction on a broad range of writing topics, from process to genre to mechanical.

Learn More

Upcoming Events

Creative Writing Group, Mondays 7-8pm

Write and share fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry and other modes of creative writing in a friendly, supportive manner. No homework, just show up. Led by writing associate Roy Andrews and student coordinator Gwyneth Lewis. Held in the Writing Center, 101 Charles Pratt Hall, on Monday nights, 7-8pm.
 
Contact Roy Andrews for information

Thesis Write-in, Thursdays 8-11pm

Thesis writers, set yourself up to succeed this year by joining fellow students to write together regularly! Every Thursday night, the Writing Center and Library open up the Center for Humanistic Inquiry for students writing theses (and similar long-term, complex writing projects) to work side-by-side, fueled by snacks, coffee and camaraderie. Thursdays 8-11 pm in Frost Library, CHI Think Tank (2nd Floor)

Contact Jessica Kem for information