Writing Center
SCS’s Writing Center is located in the Seminary Library and staffed by library student workers under the supervision of the Library Director. The Writing Center provides campus and online students with assistance with writing, proof-reading, editing, and formatting (Turabian and APA) student papers.
How to access the SCS Library Database
Research & Writing with Dr. Gino Pasquariello
- Thinking Like a Researcher
- Writing a Thesis Statement
- Formal Academic Writing 1
- Formal Academic Writing 2
- Crafting Good Paragraphs
- Going From Outline to First Draft
- Use of Argument and Evidence
- Weekly Reading Summary
- Time Management for Research Papers
- Turabian 9 Style: Part One: The Manual & Basic Paper Format
- Turabian 9 Style : Part Two: Citations: Bibliography & Footnotes
- Using Microsoft Word for Turabian Papers
- Outlines
- Taking Notes
Need help with your writing? Scroll down to the forms below and submit your request for on-ground or on-line help.
Documents & Templates
Writing & Grammar Websites:
Research Resources:
Language Resources:
Writing Center Help Request Form
Get the help you need to make your writing great!
OUR GOAL
Southern California Seminary recognizes the importance of research, scholarship, and writing skills. Our goal is to help equip students to develop these skills throughout their education. In addition to the videos, documents, templates, reference, and websites on the SCS Writing Center webpage, SCS offers students individualized help at our Writing Center located in the SCS Library and staffed by library student workers under the supervision of the Library Director. The Writing Center provides campus and online students with assistance in writing, proof-reading, editing, and formatting (Turabian and APA) student papers
EXPECTATIONS
The Writing Center provides an encouraging and supportive environment for talking about and improving your writing. Appointments consist of up to a one-hour session with a trained graduate or undergraduate-level student tutor. The tutors will not proofread or edit your entire paper for you, editing and proofreading your work without interaction is not helpful and it does not allow you the opportunity to learn how to revise and edit your own work. Rather, tutors will review your writing with you and help you identify patterns of errors in your writing as well as make recommendations for improvement.
On-ground Students
MAKING AN APPOINTMENT
Students taking classes on our El Cajon campus are advised to make an appointment to ensure time with a tutor. You may schedule an appointment by calling the SCS Library (619)-201-8966 or by emailing the Writing Center using the form provided below. Please allow one 24-hour business day for appointments to be confirmed. The Writing Center is open when the SCS Library is open. Click here for library hours.
WALK-INS WELCOME
Students walking in for help are always welcome, but cannot be guaranteed immediate attention. Students with appointments will be given priority over students walking in for help. Walk-in students will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
PREPARING FOR A SESSION
Review the questions asked in “Writing Center Request Form.” Bring your assignment guidelines, notes, and draft of your paper. If you have a long document, choose a specific section you would like to review, or come with specific questions. To make the most of your session, prioritize and focus on a few areas of concern within your paper, take notes during you consultation, revise based on the feedback you receive, and return to the Writing Lab for follow-up, if needed.