Writing Center Summer Hours

The University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL) has announced its summer schedule:

Summer Session I & II (June 17 - August 23)

Lincoln Park Campus Writing Center
(773) 325-4272

Monday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 3 PM
Saturday: closed
Sunday: closed

802 W. Belden
250 McGaw Hall
Chicago, IL 60614

Loop Campus Writing Center
(312) 362-6726

Monday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 3 PM
Saturday: closed
Sunday: closed

25 E. Jackson

1600 Lewis Center

Chicago, IL 60604

CLICK HERE for instructions on how to register and make appointments. 

"Rules" and When to Break Them

At some point in your education—elementary school, junior high, high school, perhaps even college—you likely had an English teacher who would have told you the following sentences are grammatically incorrect:

“And the class went out for coffee after the exam.”

“She needed to immediately get the notes from a classmate.”

“Which chapter did you find that quote in?”

Each of these sentences illustrates one of the common myths of English grammar: don’t begin a sentence with a conjunction; don’t split an infinitive; and don’t end a sentence with a preposition. Each has an easy fix:

“The class went out for coffee after the exam.”

“She needed to get the notes from a classmate immediately.”

“In which chapter did you find that quote?”

But did these sentences need fixing? Not at all, according to an article from Smithsonian magazine. The first rule—don’t begin a sentence with a conjunction—likely came about as a way for English teachers to encourage sentence variation and avoid writing like this from their young students: “And then we went to the park. And we watched the baseball game. And my favorite team won.” The second and third—don’t split infinitives and don’t end a sentence with a preposition—are the result of 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century academics trying to impose the rules that govern Latin grammar on English.

That said, there are plenty of grammar and usage rules that we do need to follow, rules that even experienced writers sometimes have trouble with. Just don’t let the ghost of your seventh grade English teacher keep you awake at night.

Finals Week at the Writing Center Filling Up Fast

The University Center for Writing-based Learning has posted its finals week schedule. The calendar fills up quickly, so if you're considering making an appointment, click here. If you don't yet have a WCOnline account, click here for registration instructions. Remember that in addition to face-to-face appointments in the Loop (Lewis 1600) and Lincoln Park (McGaw Hall), the UCWbL offers Written Feedback by Email for students who can't make it to campus.

If you're not able to schedule an appointment during a preferred time, email wcenter@depaul.edu and request to be added to the cancellation wait list.

Upcoming Chicago Literary Events

Next weekend (June 8-9) marks the 29th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest. The Fest takes place on Chicago's historic Printers Row, on Dearborn from Congress to Polk. In addition to independent booksellers, second-hand book shops, and literary and cultural organizations, the Fest hosts a full slate of presentations, lectures, and panel discussions. This year's schedule includes several DePaul faculty members, including Amina Gautier, Ted Anton, Christine Sneed, and Kathleen Rooney. All events are free, though some do require reserved tickets. 


This year's Chicago Writers Conference will take place from September 27-29. Click here to sign up to be notified when registration goes live.

About Chicago Writer's Conference:

We bring together writers, editors, agents, publishers and social media experts at an informative annual conference, and at workshops and events throughout the year.  Enjoy personal connections with other writers, publishers and agents. Our annual conference is not genre- or niche-specific. Writers of all levels and all genres are welcome! Our goal is to provide practical advice to help writers learn how to sell and promote their work. You don’t need to have a completed manuscript to attend — just a willingness to learn, exchange ideas, and have fun!