History Writing Cooperative

The History Writing Cooperative (HWC) is here to help students improve their historical researching and writing skills. We provide tutoring in a variety of related areas, including research methodology, finding and evaluating sources, proper citation, and tips specifically related to academic-level writing in the field of History. The HWC also offers editing services for draft papers, and provides advice on overcoming common stumbling blocks encountered by students.

How to Use the HWC

There are two ways to get help from the HWC:

1. Schedule an appointment.

We accept appointments with students enrolled in HIST-300W and above.

You can schedule a 20 minute appointment with an HWC tutor by dropping by our office. The appointment sign-up sheet is located on our door, and you can make an appointment any time the building is open – even when the HWC is closed! Enter your name and course (i.e. HIST-300W) into an available time slot and you are good to go. Just be sure to bring a printed copy of your paper to your appointment. 

You can make appointments up to one week in advance. Each student is allowed a maximum of one appointment per day.

The tutors will not schedule appointments for you, barring exceptional circumstances.

Cancellations, if needed, must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations can be made through any of the following methods:

• Email: historywritingcenter@csuchico.edu
• Call: 530-898-6058
• Cross out your name on the sign-up sheet

If a student fails to show up to his or her appointment (without cancelling at least 24 hours in advance), he or she will be sent a warning. After the second no-show, the student will not be permitted to make a scheduled appointment for the remainder of the semester.

2. Drop-in.

Anyone enrolled in a HIST course may drop-in for help.

An HWC tutor will see you during office hours if available. Drop-ins are on a first-come, first-served basis.

We have just a few rules to maximize our benefit to you. When visiting the HWC, please:

1. Bring a complete printed draft (hard copy) of your paper with you. We cannot adequately proof read from your electronic device!!!!
2. The paper must be spell checked before bringing it to us.
3. Please have a rubric of the assignment with you.

The above guidelines are in place to help us help you. Submissions that do not comply with these simple instructions will not be reviewed by the HWC.

But… if you would like input prior to completing a draft, please drop by! We can help you with research questions, proper citation, forming a thesis statement, writing effectively, etc. Don’t wait until the last minute!!!

What We Do For You

You can come to us with specific questions or requests for help. Among the areas in which we can provide assistance are:

• Ideas for a topic
• Research
• Thesis statements
• Good historical writing
• Citation

We will also provide a general review of your paper to make sure you are on-target for the assignment, and for readability and strength of argument. We will also help you with basic elements such as grammar, punctuation, and proper/adequate citation. Finally, we will show you how to spot common errors in historical writing, so that you can identify and correct them yourself in the future!

Note: The most important service we provide is in the verbal feedback we give you. 

What We Won’t Do For You

1. We do not accept emailed papers. You must bring us a hard copy.
2. We will not fully line edit or rewrite your paper for you. Our mission is to show YOU how to be a better writer, not write your papers for you.