What is OWL?
OWL stands for Online Writing Lab. It is an on-line tutoring service that is designed to help students like you to improve their writing. OWL is run by CCBC English faculty members. When you submit to OWL, an English faculty member receives your writing submission, reviews the assignment that you've been given, and offers suggestions about how to strengthen your writing. You can submit to OWL 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, except during times when the college is closed for Winter Break, Summer Break, Spring Break, or holidays. Remember to allow 48 hours for a response from OWL.

How does this work?

Step 1: Fill out the submission form below. Make sure to include an accurate email address, so that an OWL faculty member can reply to you with feedback for your writing. Include a copy of the assignment that you were given, or briefly describe the assignment that you were given. Think about your writing strengths and challenges, and decide what kind of feedback you are interested in getting. Do you need help with a main idea or thesis sentence? Do you have questions about organization and development? Do you have questions about mechanics- punctuation and grammar? Include this information in the submission form. Finally, copy your essay into text box at the bottom of the form.

Step 2: Within 48 hours, an OWL faculty member will respond to your email submission at the email address that you have given. Print out the feedback that you receive from OWL, so that you can use it when creating your next draft.

Step 3: Once you have used the OWL feedback to create a better draft of your writing assignment, you might want OWL to take a second look at what you've created. No problem! Send your "revised draft" to OWL, and we will be happy to take a second look at your writing.

Step 4: Use OWL as often as you like for any of your writing assignments, not just in your English classes.

What if I have lots of problems with grammar and punctuation ?

We would be happy to work with you over an extended time to help you become better at fixing these kinds of problems. We will use a combination of explanations, exercises, and your own writing to help you develop skills to avoid grammar and punctuation errors. To start, you'll send the tutor several examples of your writing. The tutor will analyze your mistakes and send you a suggested plan for learning how to avoid and fix them.

Often, grammar and punctuation problems are best handled in person, working one-on-one for multiple sessions with a tutor in an on-campus writing or tutoring center. Your OWL tutor may suggest that you make an appointment to see a tutor on campus. In addition, check out the Other Resources link to other help sites on the web to use an online handbook, look up grammar rules, and get help with your mechanics.