UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

owl photo 2

English

The UWRF Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a virtual space where students may receive FREE assistance from trained undergraduate students to help them improve as writers.  The OWL provides assistance during any stage of the writing process and provides interactive feedback to its clients through asynchronous tutoring sessions.  The OWL is not a proofreading, rewriting, or correcting service, or a guarantee of better grades.  NOTE: THE OWL WILL BE CLOSED DURING SPRING BREAK 2024.

Who can benefit by using the OWL?
Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in UWRF classes from all subject areas may visit the OWL for assistance during all stages of composing (inventing, revising, editing).

How do I use the UWRF OWL?

  1. Self-register for the OWL in Canvas, one time only, by following this link: https://uwrvf.instructure.com/enroll/TD76EN
  2. Drop your paper here and wait for written feedback by following these instructions:
    • Click on "Paper Submission" if this is your first paper you are submitting to the OWL on Canvas. If it is your second, click on "Paper Submission (2)". If it is your third, click on "Paper Submission (3)" and so on.
    • Describe your assignment using the survey "Quiz" provided. You will need to complete a survey for each paper you submit to the OWL.
    • Answer the final survey question by uploading your paper and submit your survey.  Please double-check to make sure it has uploaded!
    • Receive feedback from a trained tutor three business days later or earlier
  3. Revise and improve your writing.
  4. Visit the OWL whenever you'd like writing feedback.

Writing is time consuming and sometimes frustrating.  Our suggestions for receiving the best help from the Online Writing Lab include:

  • Consider submitting a rough draft. We will read it, ask questions, and help you focus your ideas and expand your development.
  • Give yourself plenty of time to submit your work in order to receive feedback before your assignment is due. The OWL needs at least three business days to respond to your request for writing feedback.
  • Read your feedback carefully, thinking about the suggestions the online tutor gave you. Revise your work.
  • Visit the OWL and/or the University Writing Center on a regular basis, so that you will continue to grow as a writer.
  • Save your document as a .doc or .rtf file so that your tutor can easily access it and provide timely feedback.

Questions?

If you need to contact someone directly, email the OWL Director or OWL Student Manager.

OWL Director
Elizabeth Schneider
elizabeth.schneider-rebozo@uwrf.edu

OWL Student Manager
Madi Schoenecker
madison.schoenecker@my.uwrf.edu

Contact Us

English Department
english@uwrf.edu
715-425-3537
M-F 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
241A Kleinpell Fine Arts

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