Services for students

Peer Writing Assistants

The Peer Writing Assistant Program focuses on helping students to develop and improve their academic skills. Appointments are available to all students at UNSW enrolled in an award program.

• Who are Peer Writing Assistants?
• Background
• Who do Peer Writing Assistants work with?
• What can Peer Writing Assistants help with?
• How can I make an appointment?

Who are Peer Writing Assistants? What do they do?

Peer Writing Assistants (PWAs) are peer or graduate students who are chosen because of their broad experience with academic skills. They work as ‘critical readers’ of student writing.

PWAs meet individually with students in The Learning Centre for 50-minute consultations to attend to that particular student's concerns. They offer feedback on developing drafts of papers, listen and ask questions and help student writers gain a perspective on their writing.

PWAs offer constructive and helpful learning support so individual students can become better writers and learn how to use the conventions, the rules, and the processes of writing. They help individual students with the organisation of ideas, the structure of assignments, and aspects of academic writing like paragraph structure, clarity, and academic style.

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Background

The PWA program at The Learning Centre began in 2nd Semester 1997. The first group of Peer Writing Assistants were selected as a result of collaboration with various Faculties across campus. This co-operation ensures the vitality of postgraduate life at UNSW and also ensures that postgraduates get hands-on experience as academic mentors working with individuals and with groups.

The PWA program is based on the principle of collaborative learning in which a more experienced student helps out another student in any area of generic academic skills. The program focuses on 'how we do thing's, rather than any course content.

Who do Peer Writing Assistants work with?

PWAs work with Students who want to improve their writing skills and are enrolled at UNSW in an award program.

The students who visit The Learning Centre might come in only a few times for specific assistance, or attend at different times throughout their degrees. Some students seek help on their own, others appear at the recommendation of academic staff, and in some cases, are referred by other support services within the university.

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What can Peer Writing Assistants help with?

PWAs can help students:

• improve the structure of written assignments
• develop arguments in writing
• plan assignments and organise ideas
• develop helpful writing and study strategies
• improve their command of academic writing and structure

PWAs help students develop the skills to become an independent learner

PWAs do not evaluate students' work or tutor them. While PWAs may engage with students in discussions so that students can develop ideas and practice the phrasing and vocabularies of academic discourse, for help with specific subject content, students should see their lecturer or tutor.

PWAs do not edit, correct or proof-read students' work. The role of the PWA is that of a 'friendly audience', an interested and inquisitive reader, listening closely, asking questions for clarification, and actively responding to the student's ideas. They may not look at every sentence or every page.

PWAs also work with academic writers only. The can't help with job applications or résumés (take these to Careers and Employment service) or help with personal correspondence or applications. PWAs also can't advise on IELTS tests or help with take-home exams.

• What Peer Writing Assistants can and can't help with

How can I make an appointment?

Students can make appointments online, using our Consultation Booking System. CoFA students can also book online.

• Further information about appointments

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