Writing & Research Help

We’re professional writing instructors and librarians ready to help you express your ideas, make strong arguments and back up what you say with evidence. Services are free and we can help you improve your writing, editing and research skills; skills that will benefit you at school, in the workforce and in your life. We believe all students are writers and researchers with something to say and we value the diverse knowledge and skills you bring to our sessions.

Writing at U of T

Useful tips on planning, writing and editing. Topics include: thesis statements, critical reading, paraphrasing, revising and editing, comma splices, annotated bibliographies and much more. Find writing guides.

Research guides from the Kelly Library

Find librarian-recommended databases, reference works and books for St. Mike’s and RSM courses. Kelly Library research guides.

Browse all research guides developed by U of T librarians, from Indigenous Studies to Statistics and Maps to Nutritional Science. U of T Libraries research guides. 

Who can visit the Writing and Research Help Centre? 

• Any St. Mike’s student 
• Any student taking a St. Mike’s course (Book & Media Studies, Celtic Studies, Christianity and Culture, Mediaeval Studies) 
• Any student of the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology  

If you are not eligible to use our services, you may be eligible for other U of T writing centres. Check your Quercus page to see what centres are available to you. 

Where do I go for my appointment? 

If your appointment is in person, come to Kelly Library at 113 St. Joseph St. — rooms 132-139 (check your appointment page or confirmation email for exact location). If your appointment is online, find the Zoom link on your appointment page on our website. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to make full use of your time.  

What do I bring? 

Have drafts of your work, notes, assignment instructions, or other materials handy. You do not need a completed draft to visit us. We can help at any stage of the writing or research process. You may upload materials, link to them from your appointment page on our website, or upload files in the chat. If your appointment is in person, you may also print out and bring your materials to the appointment.  

What happens during the appointment? 

The writing instructor or librarian will ask about your assignment and what kind of help you need. Be prepared. Because we only have a limited time, consider highlighting the most important questions you have and asking other questions if there is enough time.  

Depending on the kind of help you’re looking for, a writing instructor may brainstorm with you; give you feedback on your thesis organization, development, or other aspects of your writing; or suggest ways to improve the impact or precision of your writing.  

A research librarian may search library databases with you and help find sources, discuss your research question and agenda, improve your keywords and model search strategies. They may also answer questions about citation styles or look at your bibliography with you.  

Toward the end of the session, they’ll check in to see if you have other questions. You might talk about next steps or whether further appointments might be helpful.

When do appointment slots become available? 

Appointment slots become available 10 days in advance. 

What if all the appointments are booked? 

• Join the waitlist for any day that you could attend an appointment. If a spot opens up, you’ll receive an email. Waitlists are first-come, first-serve. Many students have success with this approach. 
• You can also visit us during drop-in hours (10-minute slots during the academic year only). No appointment is needed. 

How often can I visit the Writing and Research Help Centre? 

To ensure equitable access, you can only book two appointments per week and up to five appointments per month. In addition, we ask that you don’t bring the same assignment to us more than twice. 

Should I cancel my appointment if my draft isn’t done? 

Nope! You don’t need to have a complete draft to benefit from a writing session. We are here to help you at any stage of the writing process. 

How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment? 

• You can cancel an appointment on our website  
• Please cancel 24 hours in advance to allow other students to use the appointment 
• Note: If you cancel within five hours of the appointment time, it will be considered a late cancellation. (Account privileges are suspended for the remainder of the term after three late cancellations or after two missed appointments.) You are not able to cancel your appointment within 30 minutes of the appointment time. 

What should I do if I’m late? 

Arrive 5-10 minutes early to ensure you enjoy the full consultation time.  

Lateness of 10 minutes or more will be considered a missed appointment. Account privileges will be suspended for the remainder of the term after three late cancellations or after two missed appointments. 

What happens if I miss an appointment? 

Missing two appointments will lead to temporary account deactivation for the duration of the semester. Your account will be reactivated the next semester. 

Should I wear a mask to my in-person appointment? 

Masks are not currently required but are encouraged if you wish to wear one.