As students at the University of West Florida continue further into the Fall 2023 semester, the never-ending pile of papers and assignments is utterly overwhelming. However, there is a free, on-campus resource to aid students in the struggle to succeed: the UWF Writing Lab.
The Writing Lab provides services such as paper readings, thesis and dissertation readings, online editing skills workshops, diagnostic tests, a grammar hotline and various other services that cater to a student’s specific needs.
The Writing Lab’s director Mamie Hixon explains that the employees at the Writing Lab, “labbies,” are individuals chosen for their writing skills and knowledge of grammar. Labbies aid students in improving their personal writing skills.
“The labbies do what they are supposed to do,” Hixon said. “They do it so well that the Writing Lab gets very few complaints from students or faculty.”
Labbies have been assisting UWF students since 1976 when Hixon took over management of the Writing Lab. At this time, UWF was a two-year university, and the Writing Lab was created to help students with the Test of Standard Written English (TSWE).
Nationwide writing skills had declined, and students were required to pass the TSWE in order to graduate. Hixon expanded the Writing Lab to be flexible with the times and to direct the lab in technological improvements to better assist students.
One of the first technological advancements at the Writing Lab was the Grammar Hotline. Staff at the Writing Lab continued to get calls regarding grammar questions and decided to make their own hotline for grammatical tips.
When the UWF Writing Lab’s Grammar Hotline was originally created, it was the first grammar hotline in the state of Florida. Students and those who merely take interest in improving their writing skills continue to call the grammar hotline for simple questions that require immediate responses.
The Writing Lab also offers diagnostic testing for students who would like to know what areas of grammatical rules they may need help in. Professors also may use this resource to gain knowledge about what students need extra guidance with.
The most used resource at the Writing Lab is the paper reading feature. Students can make an appointment through Navigate on MyUWF or can call the Writing Lab appointment desk. The three different types of available appointments are Online Writing Lab readings on Canvas, face-to-face readings and online interactive readings through Zoom.
These three appointment styles provide different ways for students to improve their writing depending on the method of learning that is most beneficial for an individual.
The Writing Lab made some recent additions to its long list of services. However, Hixon explains that suggestions for additional services are always highly appreciated.
“When someone asks for something we don’t do, we do it,” Hixon said. “We are here to accommodate.”
There are recent additions due to requests from students and faculty. The editing workshops assist students in practicing grammar through applying these rules to their own writing. This workshop teaches students to apply their knowledge to their writing and edit their own work as they go.
Hixon hosts a Zoom call about the ins and outs of grammar called Grammarcise every Monday at 7:15 a.m. People from around the country interested in grammar tune in to have discussions about the basics and specifics of grammar.
A total of 30 to 40 people attend these meetings and obtain knowledge of grammar, free of charge.
The Writing Lab wants more students to know that they are here to help and hopes to gain more campus visibility in the future. The resources at the lab are beneficial to students of all majors, and these students are welcome to join the Writing Lab team. An application is available on the Writing Lab website.
