The Writing Lounge is UiA's drop-in center for students and staff writing academic texts.
You meet an experienced fellow student/writing mentor who can give oral feedback on the text, talk to you about the writing process, and recommend relevant practical exercises and tips that can help you progress in your writing work.
Bring an unfinished text, a project sketch, or a question related to academic writing and drop by during our opening hours.
We're open 10–14 every weekday.
You can use our services as many times as you like, and you don't have to book time in advance for the drop-in service at Campus
We also offer language guidance for students with Norwegian as a second language
We do not offer proofreading of text or guidance on technical source issues
Do you need help with source citation, EndNote or literature search? You can book guidance with the library's staff here.
Digital booking is also available for all services at Skrivestua:
How can the writing mentors at Skrivestua help me?
The task of the writing mentors is to guide you in your writing. It can either be a text you are working on, an assignment you have just been given, or a finished text that you select parts of to look at together with the mentor. The writing mentor does not write the text for you, but asks you questions that can help you on the right path. If you experience writing block, talking to a writing mentor can loosen it. The writing mentor can also give you tips on study techniques or specific advice and resources for your work.
Can the writing mentors guide me in the subject I am studying?
The writing mentors cannot provide guidance in specific subject matters, in which case you should ask your teacher or supervisor. It is best to check in the syllabus first, for example in a keyword index or look for keywords in the text. The writing mentor can help you with this, and help you figure out the understanding of a word or a sentence.
Do you have English speaking mentors?
Yes, all of our mentors can help you in English. We also have a Fulbright student who provides guidance in English only. She is available for drop-in at Skrivestua at the following times:
What if I know a little bit Norwegian, and wish to become better?
Skrivestua has language tutors who can help you find the most frequent mistakes you make in Norwegian, and give you tips on how to work on your language. The language tutors have education and experience in Norwegian as a second language, and can talk to you about patterns that are repeated in your text. They do not correct the text, but you get tools to work on the language on your own. You can come back as many times as you like.
If you're not available for physical meetings on Campus, you can book a digital meeting.
Can you help me with source references and/or literature searches?
First of all, check whether you can find the answer yourself at The Citation Compass. If not, you are always welcome to ask for guidance at the University Library. The librarians have a guidance desk that is open from 10am to 2pm every day, and you can also book guidance digitally.
At Skrivestua, we can help you weave the references into the text in a good way, and we can help you ask critical questions to determine whether or not it is a credible source.
I have reading and/or writing difficulties. Can Skrivestua help me?
Our writing mentors do not have specific experience in reading and writing difficulties, but they can help you get structure in the text and in the sentences, work with subject terms and give you tips on study techniques you can try out. You can get guidance in the writing process so that you do not feel alone along the way, and get help to develop a more precise language. We do not proofread texts.
What if I need technical support, or help finding something online?
Skrivestua provides guidance in academic writing and study techniques. You can try asking the writing mentors if they can help, but we recommend that you search for yourself first, and then ask UiA Help.