Welcome to The Metro Writing Studio
Announcements
The studio is open daily for in-person and virtual tutoring sessions on Mondays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Tuesdays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursdays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and Fridays 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please click on “Schedule a Visit” to make an appointment. Walk-ins and wait-list are welcome- depending on availability.
NOTE: Mobile devices may display incorrect scheduling information. Please use a desktop or laptop to view the scheduling website accurately.
What we do: The Metro Writing Studio provides free writing support to undergraduate and graduate students and all FDU faculty and staff. In one-on-one consultations and workshops, our consultants offer feedback and strategies to help you improve at every stage of your writing, from brainstorming to final drafts.
Who’s eligible: We will work with any currently enrolled FDU Metro undergraduate or graduate student, and all Metro faculty and staff. Metro Alumni are also eligible for services. Students who miss two scheduled appointments in the studio will be unable to make future appointments online. If you are restricted from online scheduling, you can join the waitlist or be seen as a walk-in depending on availability that day.
Note: Students arriving at a tutoring session without materials such as drafts or assignments will not be seen. Students will need to reschedule their appointment making sure to bring their course materials with them to their next session.
Want to know more? Contact the Metro Writing Studio at metrowritingstudio@fdu.edu.
Workshop Schedule: Spring 2025
These free workshops are open to all FDU students, faculty, and staff. No registration is required to attend; however, you will need to login to the appropriate ZOOM meeting ID in order to connect to the virtual presentation.
or email Julia Wagner, Director, at jawagner@fdu.edu for more information about the workshops and the tutoring services offered at the Metro Writing Studio.
In addition, for a full list of Metropolitan Library Workshops and how to access them, see the link: https://fdu.libcal.com/calendar/online?cid=13729&t=m&d=0000-00-00&cal=13729&inc=0
Registration information: Log on to the ZOOM meeting 10 minutes before presentation times.
Academic Writing and The Annotated Bibliography Workshop (HINAL)
February 13th (TH) 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
In this workshop hosted by Paul Caruso, students will be instructed in the purpose and use of the annotated bibliography. This is a practical workshop providing a blend of information and useful links and references that will help students primarily with research skills.
Meeting ID: 953 5674 1559
Password: 046549
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/95356741559?pwd=OlYEASXbX7ABuuKasMM0pg9ku1TF1w.1.
Recognizing and Avoiding Plagiarism (JINAL)
February 20th (TH) 1:00 – 2:30 PM, Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
Yelena Shekhtman will teach students how and when to quote and/or paraphrase from an original source, and how to acknowledge that source to avoid committing plagiarism accidentally.
Meeting ID: 925 2168 3435
Password: 104146
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/92521683435?pwd=5euwaTxJJnFh3TaJ8RAriufbnKapSa.1
ESL CASUAL CONVERSATIONS IN ENGLISH (HINAL)
FEB 27th (F) 6 – 7:30 PM, Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
Rochelle Moskowitz leads this conversation skills-building workshop, focusing on the creative use of synonyms and idioms to make your meaning clear, concise, and appropriate to the situation.
Meeting ID: 964 3733 0000
Password: 036995
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/96437330000?pwd=CJWnkcbe90SIkb7EGa4cCaMymybcDu.1.
Introduction to APA Format (JINAL)
March 5TH (W) 5:00 – 6:30 PM, Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
Professor Danielle DesFosses will cover the basics of APA formatting, commonly used to cite sources in academic writing and guide students through practice exercises. This workshop will be repeated on 3/26.
Meeting ID: 988 2814 4258
Password: 867333
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/98828144258?pwd=3WISkN9C6NNnCRayzqs0y5vebUzG2s.1.
Advanced APA Format (JINAL)
March 6th (TH) 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM, ZOOM PRESENTATION
Designed for those who know the basics of APA, this workshop presented by Professor Helen Kuttner will offer a brief overview before launching into more complicated citation issues. A question-answer period will follow for your specific APA format questions. This workshop will be repeated on 3/27.
Meeting ID: 973 8764 2072
Password: 791859
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/97387642072?pwd=aRIS33PVxxaVoFhurbalxSa2ht9R63.1.
Essential Spoken English for International Students (HINAL)
March 6th (TH) 7:00 – 8:30 PM Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
Culled from Professor Paul Caruso’s teaching experiences abroad, this participatory workshop will help international students improve their English conversation skills in the classroom and among their peers.
Meeting ID: 947 6353 4260
Password: 752247
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/94763534260?pwd=nDzrJW8UZhLAt5UbZb7FbKpvVXtRlV.1
What is Critical Writing? (JINAL)
March 18th (T) 5:00 – 6:30 PM Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
What is the critical perspective? And how do students demonstrate it in their writing? This is a workshop led by Danielle Des Fosses that first explains the necessary point of view, and then demonstrates steps needed to carry out research that supports analysis to this aim in student writing.
Meeting ID: 913 7730 6848
Password: 360343
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/91377306848?pwd=GTaXebJutcMmcHbUlJIUsCVIGbhu7r.1
Accessible Tutoring Strategies
March 19th (W) 3 – 4:30 PM ZOOM PRESENTATION
Dr. Kathleen Lyons offers strategies to help tutors enhance accessibility in their tutoring sessions to engage all students. We will start with general strategies using principles of universal design for learning. Then, we will discuss specific strategies that support neurodiverse students and students with learning disabilities. We will work together to understand the unique access needs for FDU students and discuss how we can best support our students—with or without disability accommodations—in our tutoring practices. This workshop is intended for FDU faculty and staff who work to support the academic writing needs of FDU students.
Meeting ID: 927 3369 2941
Password: 569381
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/92733692941?pwd=I7HDg2ks5yQzbx3IC0EdIn6yc9vyHA.1
Undergraduate Academic Essay and Research (HINAL)
March 20th (TH) 5:30 – 7:00 PM Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
Students are instructed on the elements of researching accurately and appropriately for academic essays. This includes how to vet sources and make good source decisions. Led by Paul Caruso, students will be provided with a blend of information from useful links and references, within
this practical hands-on writing workshop.
Meeting ID: 937 2112 4330
Password: 461787
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/93721124330?pwd=faOasoQ2YjgORcPu2qzGf63bZUyMuT.1.
Basic Grammar (JINAL)
March 24th (M) 11:30 – 1 PM Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
Just write it! Rochelle Moskowitz leads this grammar workshop on using the imperative voice in student writing.
Meeting ID: 948 9990 9762
Password: 468246
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/94899909762?pwd=5aPtQmbrDic6si5sWQbbFZb1vv3lhl.1.
Basic Grammar (HINAL)
March 25th (M) 2:30 – 4:00 PM Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
Rochelle Moskowitz hosts a grammar workshop on Definite and Indefinite Articles and how to employ them in student writing.
Meeting ID: 969 8754 7583
Password: 660371
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/96987547583?pwd=in9vpztGzZeTGRF4RPBeJHzs92q8p9.1.
Introduction to APA Format (HINAL)
March 26th (W) 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM ZOOM PRESENTATION
Professor Danielle DesFosses will cover the basics of APA formatting, commonly used to cite sources in academic writing, and guide students through practice exercises. This is a repeat of the workshop presented on 3/5.
Meeting ID: 939 4353 2472
Password: 435228
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/93943532472?pwd=UOFX6wtPWLbTc4ig7iIXQWR1AiY9Ck.1.
Advanced APA Format (JINAL)
March 27th (TH) 5:00 – 6:30 PM Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
Designed for those who know the basics of APA, this workshop, presented by Helen Kuttner, will offer a brief overview before launching into
more complicated citation issues. A question-and-answer period will follow for your specific APA format questions. This is a repeat of the workshop scheduled on March 9th.
Meeting ID: 992 9191 2061
Password: 522891
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/99291912061?pwd=HRn1CZTEVdRxMaiUNEVDRnsxnHzI2o.1
ESL Casual Conversations in English (HINAL)
April 8th (T) 1 PM – 2:30 PM, ZOOM Presentation
Professor Rochelle Moskowitz will lead this communication-skills workshop, focusing on networking and self-advocacy skills in daily and special
circumstances.
Meeting ID: 918 7434 8319
Password: 903729
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/91874348319?pwd=W5FhNSJPQ85t7hX0UlXOjWIsaGUoTt.1.
Common Essay Patterns
(HINAL) April 10 (TH) 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Helen Kuttner will review the various patterns available to writers for composing essays before examining strategies for writing clear and effective argumentative, compare and contrast, and cause and effect essays.
Meeting ID: 961 2348 4221
Password: 569035
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/96123484221?pwd=7Mb7qxY2nXPiaXFHhze4GHoi0XfsvK.1.
Creating the Works Cited
List (HINAL) April 17th (TH) 1:00 – 2:30 PM Virtual Presentation: ZOOM
Yelena Shekhtman will lead this workshop, which is designed for those familiar with the basics of MLA parenthetical citation; she will focus on how to create the works cited list.
Meeting ID: 972 8555 3032
Password: 134635
ZOOM LINK: https://fdu.zoom.us/j/97285553032?pwd=adjGcOWrFCsgVX1
ESL Conversation Schedule
Referral form
Referral forms are not necessary; tutoring is available on a drop-in basis. However, faculty may refer students to the Writing Studio by completing the online referral form for those students in need of assistance.
To fill out a referral form please click here: Referral Form
FAQ’s
The Metro Writing Studio provides free, individualized tutoring in writing and writing workshops to help students, faculty, and staff at Fairleigh Dickinson University improve their writing skills.
- Where is the Metro Writing Studio?
We are located on the second floor of the Metropolitan Campus Library (on the Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck) behind the Reference/Circulation Desk. - What are the hours of operation?
Monday-Thursday 10.00 am to 7.00 pm, Friday 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, Sunday 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm. The Studio, which offers wireless connection to the Internet to those with an FDU webmail account, is open as a quiet and comfortable study space whenever the library is open. - Who may use the Studio?
Students who are matriculated at Fairleigh Dickinson (whether undergraduate or graduate, part-time or full-time), faculty, and staff are eligible to make use of all the Studio’s offerings. - What kind of help do the tutors provide?
Tutors assist students with all phases of the writing process from brainstorming ideas to polishing the final draft. We do not, however, offer proofreading or editing services; our goal is to teach students how do such things for themselves. - Do I need to make an appointment to see a tutor?
No, we see students mainly on a drop-in-basis (limited appointments become available later in the semester). On occasion, you might have to wait before a tutor is free to work with you, so plan your time wisely. Be sure to fill out a Request for Tutoring Form upon your arrival. - What should I bring when I see a tutor?
You should bring the assignment given to you by your instructor, the materials (such as articles or books) upon which the assignment is based, and a printed copy of what you have written so far. - What other types of services does the Studio provide?
Throughout the semester, we offer workshops on various writing-related topics such as how to recognize and avoid plagiarism and how to use MLA and APA citation formats. International students can practice speaking skills six times a semester at our English conversation workshops.
One of the top academic priorities of the Metropolitan Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University is to graduate students who are competent and confident writers. To advance this goal, the Campus Writing Initiative, an innovative, comprehensive, campus-wide commitment to student writing, was adopted. The Metro Writing Studio supports the Campus Writing Initiative and reinforces the philosophy of the Writing Program.
Faculty and Tutors
- Julia Wagner, Director, Metro Writing Studio
Department of Literature, Languages, Writing, and Humanities
Tutors
- Claudia Arones
- Ruth Morrison
- Helen Kuttner
- Yelena Shekhtman
- Lisa Karrer
- David Simons
- Terry Gibson
- Danielle Des Fosses
- Ron Chavious
- James Veach
-
Irene Konstantinidis
- Josie Horna
- Paul Caruso
Graduate Assistants
-
Reema Patel
-
Hinal Purohit
-
Jinal Patel