The idea of "Writing Centers" began in American universities more than forty years ago, more recently, they have become popular in Europe and, now, the Middle East. The "Writing Center" is an interface in which the university expresses its vision and policy towards academic excellence.

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Writing Centers in Universities: A Gateway for Excellence in
Scholarly Writing: A Review
Prof. Ahmed-Refat A.G Refat*
Abstract
Introduction: The idea of "Writing Centers" began in American universities more than forty
years ago, more recently, they have become popular in Europe and, now, the Middle East. The
"Writing Center" is an interface in which the university expresses its vision and policy towards
academic excellence.
Objectives: (1) To identify the current situation of "writing centers" in Egyptian universities.
(2) To explore the different models of "writing centers" in international universities . (3) To
present a ―model‖ that can be applied in Egyptian universities.
Methods: 1. Searching the web and the international directories . 2. Review the writing
centers of international universities to identify their common features
Findings:
The study showed that absence of "writing centers" in Egyptian public universities, this is not
commensurate with their position compared with countries such as Turkey (9 centers) and the
United Arab Emirates (7 centers). When reviewing what the ―writing centers‖ offer at
international universities, we find that they provide services in the following three areas:
1. On-site or on-line ―one-to -one‖ tutoring method, 2. Mini workshops 3. Production of
guidelines.
Conclusion: Urgent steps must be taken to establish "writing centers" in Egyptian governmental
universities to fill this gap and catch up with the international community in this field. This could
be started immediately by following the proposed model of this study.
Key words: writing center, tutoring, scholarly writing, Studend-Centered Learning.
* Professor of Public Health - Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University , Egypt. Email:
zjohs@yahoo.com

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How to cite this article
Refat AG Refat. Writing Centers in Universities: A Gateway for Excellence in Scholarly
Writing: A Review. The International Conference of Higher Education Development : Global
Variables and International Standards . Benha University , Egypt ; 22-23 January 2019.
Introduction
Writing is an essential lifelong learning skill needed for both scholarly and professional
communication. Students often enrolled in universities with inadequate writing skills, yet these
skills had a significant role in their academic achievement and - for some - affecting the
subsequent role as a communicator in preparing their thesis/essay or publishing a research
article [1] .It is the reason that many universities have a special center called ― Writing Center‖
specializes in helping students improve their writing [2,3] .
The Writing centre is student-centred and learning-oriented spaces, offer excellent
conditions for facilitating peer learning and life-long learning. The concept of Writing Centers
originating in the USA in reaction to the ‗literacy crisis‘ of the mid 1970s, more recently, they
have become popular in Europe and, now, the Middle East. In general the Writing Center,
offers free and friendly writing advice to all students, staff, and faculty helping them with every
stage of the writing process from brainstorming ideas to documenting sources [4,5 ].
A large survey in a medical university showed that about 90% of respondents who used
the Writing Center granted it as a valuable and effective service , and the users of Writing
Center were twice as likely as no users to receive an A grade on the written assignment [6] .
The Writing Center usually shares in higher education‘s mission to support critical
thinking, encourage creativity and innovation of students . For example; the Writing Center of
Walden University [7 ] mission is ― to supports learners in understanding and developing
scholarly writing skills needed for academic, civic, and global engagement.‖ ,also the ― The
Center for Academic Excellence and the Writing Center of the Medical University of South
Carolina‘s considering the WC to be at the forefront of the university mission [8] .
Based on its effectiveness and value , many American universities holding more than one
center , for example, the University of Toronto operating 14 centers in its campus [9].
Starting from the year 2007, the number of writing centers in the Arabian Gulf countries
has started to increase dramatically , in parallel with the establishment of ― Middle East and
North African Writing Centers Alliance ( MENAWCA ) .This trend was linked with ‗New‘ high
increases in the number of international universities and emerging of Western educational
institutions in our region [10,11 ] .
This study was conducted to:
(1) Identify the current situation of "writing centers" in Egyptian universities. (2) Explore
the different types and models of "writing centers" in international universities and the
mechanism of their work. (3) Present a model for a "writing center ‖ that can be applied in
Egyptian universities in accordance with the local situation and the international standards.

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Methods
The following methods were used:
1. Searching for the presence of ― Writing Centers‖ in the websites of the Egyptian
universities.
2. Using ―Writing Center Directory (WCD)‖ to identify the WC in Arab Region [12] .
2. Browsing and reviewing the contents of the writing center of some international
universities to identify their features , services and methodology of work.
Findings and Discussion
Table (1) illustrates the number of ―WRITING CENTER‖ in universities of Arab Countries
which enlisted in ―Writing Center Directory‖ [12] .The UAE was at the top with 7 centers ,
whereas only one Egyptian university was found in this directory .
Table 1. Number of Writing Centers in Universities of Arabic Countries ( as of Dec. 2018)*
Country Number of Writing
Centers
United Arab Emirates 7
Qatar 6
Kingdom Saudi Arabia 4
Lebanon 3
Algeria 2
Kiewit 2
Oman 2
Egypt 1
Iraq 1
Morocco 1
* The Writing Center Directory [12].
Writing Centers in Egyptian Universities :
By using Internet searching of the web pages of all Egyptian universities according an
official document [16].Only thee private universities were found to have ―WRITING CENTER‖
, these are:
1. October University of Modern Sciences and Arts [13].
At the home page of this site one can qute― The English Writing Center aims at helping MSA
students to learn more about writing techniques. Staff members work with students in one-to-one
consultations to improve stages of the writing process: from note-taking and pre-writing to
revision strategies, proofreading techniques and plagiarism avoidance.‖

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2.British University in Egypt [14].
A welcome message says ― Welcome to the BUE English Department Writing Centre. Our
mission is to improve the writing skills of undergraduate students and assist graduating ones
during the various stages of writing the graduation projects in their majors. It also creates an
informal and supportive environment in which students can bring questions to their tutors on
one-to-one sessions that aim at improving their writing abilities.‖
3.American University in Cairo [15].
The AUC Writing Center Services as displayed in this site are:
 Individual Tutoring
 Online Writing Lab
 Workshops
 Arabic Tutoring
So this study spotted absence of "writing centers" in Egyptian public/governmental
universities, this situation is disproportionate with history and the number of the governmental
universities in Egypt compared with countries as Turkey which having 9 centers indexed in
―The Writing Center Directory‖ and the United Arab Emirates (7 centers) [21] .
This situation can improved by presenting adequate information to the decision-makers and
stockholders of the universities about the up-to-date descriptive studies and analytical studies
to facilitate and motivate the Egyptian higher education institutions to establish and adopt
―WRITING CENTER‖ in their facilities .
Academic Services of “Writing Centers”:
When reviewing what the ―writing center‖ the international universities offers , it was
found that they providing their services in the following three main areas :
1 .Tutoring ―one-to-one‖ tutoring method.
2. Small-group workshops.
3. Production of guidelines / handouts .
The above mentioned three services, usually provided by facilities, equipment and personnel
at the centers ―in-site‖ and/or by using internet as ―on-line‖ method, either for undergraduate
students or post-graduate or both . Many writing centers expand their focus on academic writing
to broader study skills such as: reading, note-taking, oral presentation, critical thinking and
argumentation courses. [3 & 11 ].
The Writing Center will strategically target the following areas of concentration for the
continuous long-term success in providing quality educational writing programs and services to
students at the University of Nizwa [17].
1. Student Success ( Improve student writing proficiency and familiarity of the writing
process)

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2. Academic Excellence ( Promote academic honesty, critical thinking skills and
independent learning)
3. Affiliations and Outreach ( Create relationships with other international association and
institutions that have established writing centers)
Rationales for establishing and sponsoring “WRITING CENTERS”:
Many writing centers were established as a means to ―add value‖ to a university in their
efforts to provide quality services [28] . The values of Writing Center to a university, like
NIZWA [ 17] are looked to include the following :
1. Assist in the development of student writing proficiency.
2. Create and update innovative writing materials and services that meet the needs of
academic students .
3. Promote academic excellence through comprehensive development of writing skills and
familiarity of the writing process.
4. Motivate student interest and participation in the Writing Center by providing valued
tutoring, guidance, targeted workshops, and flexible services that support of independent
learning.
5. Enhance the development of peer tutors in providing quality-writing support services to
best aid academic students.
6. Build professional affiliations with international and regional writing centers that will aid
staff professional development and promote high academic standards.
History , evolution, affiliation and location of “Writing Centers”.
Primarily, three terms have been used for these spaces on campuses that support writing: or
laboratory/lab, clinic, and center. Where earlier labs relied on equipment such as cassette players
and headphones, on the other hand , centers focused on conversations at tables in open areas
with skill discussions coming out of the text in front of the reader. As more and more centers
opened recently , the preferred term became center [4 ] .
The following is an example from ― Wisconsin University‖ of how the concept of writing
center evolved and appreciated in higher education setting:
The Writing Center at University of Wisconsin established in 1966 at first with name
―Writing Lab‖ as a part of the English Program . In the late 80s the ―Writing Center ― was
coined as a new title of this‖ Lab‖. In 1994, the ―Writing Center‖ was merged with Student
Support Services. In 2000, the ―Writing Center‖ found itself once again a part of the English
Program. In 2008, the Writing Center became a core part of a university-wide initiative called
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC), whose goal is to foster a culture of writing at the
university.

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In Fall 2011, the ―Writing Center‖ moved to a newly established central hall of the
university: ―Swenson Hall‖ , which is a great central location for Wisconsin University-wide
service [19].
Learning Approach of “WRITING CENTERS”
In general Writing Center service is not a drop-off service, It is not a fix-it or triage center,
It is not an editing or proofreading service, and it is also not a place just for "bad" writers.
―WRITING CENTER‖ is a gym - like place where one go to stay in shape rather than a hospital
where one needs to go only in an emergency. [ 20].
The Writers' Center staff does not write students' papers. Instead, they help students become
more aware of their writing strengths and weaknesses so that they can improve not only
particular assignments but also their overall writing skills.
Some writing centers provide writing assistance to faculty and staff as well, both with their
own writing and with structuring writing assignments for classes. Outreach programs for the
community may include workshops for local businesses, grammar hotlines, writing contests,
training of tutors for other settings, and conferences on writing.
Whatever the shape or structure, the ―WRITING CENTER‖ usually adopt the following
approaches [4].
• One-to-one setting Tutorials
• Tutors are advisors , coaches and collaborators, not teachers
• The student‘s needs is the focus of the tutorial
• Experimentation and practice are encouraged
• Writers work on writing from a variety of courses
The One-to-one tutoring session:
The cardinal feature of ―WRITING CENTER‖s is the one-to-one tutoring
session.Tutoring may be a peer tutor, a professional, a graduate student, or an instructor from the
university or school [21. Another main feature of ―WRITING CENTER‖s is that they are non-
evaluative [4] Tutors aim to coach and empower rather than evaluate and instruct.
Tutors offer one-to-one consulting services [22] on materials such as:
• Course papers
• Dissertations
• Theses
• Proposals
• Journal articles
• Job application materials
Guidelines and Handouts
Writing Resources provides enormous amount of self-paced learning guide to: academic
writing, steps in the writing process, documenting sources, grammar and punctuation, and other
useful topics [17].

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The Key Personnel of the “WRITING CENTER”
Writing centers exist in a variety of shapes, sizes, specific services, staffing, and procedures.
In spite of these differences , yet they usually operated by the two key personnel : the director
and the tutors.
Regarding the director, there is no standard specification for the required qualifications ,
responsibilities and duties of the director. Many writing centers can start with a director
having little or no experience, but center will be operated more successfully by someone with a
background in the teaching of writing. [4]. On the other hand ,the universities with a well-
established and long lasting writing centers usually seeking for an eminent tutor and director, the
following example from some universities :
a. Writing Center Director
Longwood University in Virginia which required the director to hold a Master‘s Degree.
Terminal Degree desired in Rhetoric and Composition, English, ESL Education (concentration in
literacy/writing), or a related field [ 23 ].
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON [24] seeking applicant for writing center
director for the year 2019 with the following qualification and duties :
WORKING TITLE: Director of Writing Center and Writing Across the Curriculum
OFFICIAL TITLE: PROFESSOR or ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR.
This position will conduct the three-fold duties of all faculty members: conduct research,
teach, and participate in service appropriate to rank. The main - among others- duties of the
director are:
 Providing vision and leadership for the mission of the Writing Center .
 Managing the budget .
 Developing and implementing assessment plans for the programs
 Planning workshops .
 Supervising, mentoring, and collaborating with professional academic staff.
 Recruiting and hiring Writing Center tutors.
b. Writing Center tutors
The tutor was usually seen as : a facilitator , mentor, coach, advisor, consultant , and a peer-
tutor .Their duties are eliciting the students‘ ideas and helping them to scaffold their writing.
[25]
The majority of Writing Center‘s writing coaches are undergraduate and graduate students
from a wide variety of academic disciplines. They receive extensive training in teaching writing
one on one. New graduate coaches undergo more than 40 hours of preparation at the start of the

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fall semester, and undergraduates take a 3-credit-hour English course to prepare. All coaches
receive ongoing training and supervision.
The web page of Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) displyed the main duties and
qualifications of the tutors [26] as follows:
JOB TITLE: Writing Center Tutor
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: among these
 Conduct individual tutoring sessions with students to develop these students' writing
skills.
 Support compliance with the policies governing copyright, fair use, academic
integrity and plagiarism
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
 Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral form
 Demonstrated knowledge of English language rhetoric, grammar and usage
 Current enrollment as a student and completion of two semesters or with at least
two semesters remaining at the university
 Use of the Writing Center, having participated in at least one tutorial session as a
student
A proposed model for “Writing Center” at university level
To establish an effective , sustainable and up-to-date ― writing Center‖ in Egyptian
universities , one can use the following proposed model which based on the recommendation
―International Writing Centers Association (IWCA)‖ [ 11] and the one that used by Nizwa
university [17].
The duties and responsibilities of each level of the proposed model can be the similar of what
already illustrated in details in Nizwa [ 17] . The justification of using these two sources are:
the first one containing the international view and the second one present an active center at
nizwa university, in Oman, an Arabic country like Egypt.
For establishing a new WC one must considering the following issues [4].
 The mission, policies , goal and objectives of the center.
 Site/ location.
 Director of the center.
 Staffing, training and supervision
 Materials, equipment, furniture.
 Record keeping and reporting.

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1.University President
or
Faculty Dean
2. Vice President of…
or
Vice Dean of..
3.steering
Board
4.WC
Director
5.dministrative
Supervisor
6.On-Site
Coordinator
7.On-line
Coordinator
8.Handouts/
Published
Materials
Coordinator
9.Outreach
Coordinator
10.Tutors 11.Tutors
A Proposed Model* of “ Management Structure” for a Writing Center
at University or College Level

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Conclusion:
Critical steps must be taken to establish "writing centers" in Egyptian governmental
universities to fill this gap and go with the international community in this field. The proposed
model attached to this study may provide the first step in this issue.
References
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11. 11
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