Academic Support Centre

Our goal is to help you develop your writing skills. During a tutoring session we can describe some steps you can take to better understand the requirements of your writing assignments and we can show you what you can do to align your writing with academic standards. Remember that the earlier you come to us in the writing process the more you will benefit from the tutoring session. You can even book a time with us in the pre-writing stages of your assignment.

Before a tutoring session

Use a spellcheck program to correct minor spelling mistakes. Read through your paper carefully and think about what you feel you need the most help with. It is helpful for us if you send us the assignment instructions before we meet. Also, we suggest you go through our checklist for academic writing before the tutoring session.

During the tutoring session

The tutoring session can take up to one hour. Usually we only have enough time to work with a few pages of the paper so carefully choose what part you want to work on the most. During our meeting we will look together at the parts of the text you want help with and discuss the questions you have brought with you. Some frequently discussed topics include: interpreting the assignment, planning the writing process, finding a structure that suits the task, how to reference properly, finding a tone and style that aligns with academic standards and avoiding plagiarism. Please note that we do not proofread your papers.

After a tutoring session

Take the feedback and examples you have received during the tutoring session to improve your text. If you feel you need another tutoring session you can book a new appointment through our online booking form.

We offer support for different aspects of an oral presentation, such as creating a logical structure, organizing your time, connecting with your audience and delivering an effective presentation. Remember that the earlier in the planning process that you come to us the more you will benefit from the tutoring session.

Please note that overcoming speaker’s anxiety is not a part of what we offer. If you feel very uncomfortable with public speaking there are courses available through the Student Welfare office about overcoming speaker’s anxiety.

Preparatory discussion – 1^st meeting

Preparing for an oral presentation is like any other assignment- it needs to be planned and researched before you present it. It is important to think about the organization, structure, content and language of your presentation. Other important areas to consider are how to prepare for and deliver an oral presentation as well as thinking about visual aids.

At our initial meeting we will talk about your assignment and figure out what you most need help with. Please bring the assignment instructions to help us identify the task. In accordance with the requirements of the assignment we will decide what material you need to create and share with us until the next meeting, which is the actual tutoring session. The preparatory meeting takes approximately 20 minutes.

Tutoring session – 2^nd meeting

Before the tutoring session you need to share your material with us.   For example you may send us a draft of the structure, your manuscript, your slide show or a recording of your oral presentation, depending on what we have agreed to focus on. When you are preparing your presentation please take a look at our online resources for inspiration or guidance.

A tutoring session takes approximately 60 minutes. You will get specific feedback on the material you have sent us but we will also give general advice on how you can improve your presentation. We may talk about the importance of a strong beginning and a strong conclusion, being able to speak freely without reading your notes word for word or using visual aids in an effective way.

Please note that the Academic Support Centre does not proofread texts, which includes presentation slides and manuscripts.

After a tutoring session

After the tutoring session you can take the feedback and suggestions you have received during the tutoring session to improve your presentation. If you feel you need another tutoring session you can book a new appointment through our online booking form.

Contact us

Email: academicsupport@lnu.se