Here to help

Writing Center consultants can work with you on any kind of writing project, from course papers to job application materials and creative writing. We can also help with speeches and presentations. Our services are free and available to all students, staff and faculty at the University of Iowa.

Schedule an appointment

Submit a draft

Standing Weekly Meetings

Writing for all

The Writing Center is hosted by the Department of Rhetoric and is located in room 110 of the English Philosophy Building. Services are free and available to all students, faculty, and staff. Not affiliated with the UI? We also help staff a community writing center at the Iowa City and Coralville Public Library. Walk-in appointments available for Johnson County residents during the fall and spring semesters.

close-up of student writing on paper

Est. 1934

One of the first Writing Centers in the U.S.

students in a rhetoric class

1:1

The Center has a long-standing tradition of one-to-one instruction in rhetorical and communication skills.

5,000

The number of hours of one-on-one writing instruction we provide each year.

students discussing writing

2,000

The number of students, faculty, and staff, we meet with each semester.

student discussing writing

Our Story

The University of Iowa Writing Center was started by Carrie Stanley in 1934, making it one of the first writing centers in the country. The center has a long-standing tradition of one-to-one instruction in rhetorical and communication skills.

News and announcements

Events

Iowa Summer Writing Festival: July Workshops promotional image

Iowa Summer Writing Festival: July Workshops

Sunday, July 13 to Tuesday, July 22, 2025 (all day)
Iowa Summer Writing Festival
The Iowa Summer Writing Festival is back on campus at the University of Iowa this June and July, offering 70 weekend and weeklong workshops led by 45 acclaimed instructors.Since 1987, the Iowa Summer Writing Festival has welcomed to The University of Iowa writers from 18 to 98 years of age, from all 50 states, and from every continent. Most come to the workshop table from other areas of expertise, other lives — including the armed forces, business, diplomacy, education, farming, homemaking...
Iowa Summer Writing Festival: July Workshops promotional image

Iowa Summer Writing Festival: July Workshops

Monday, July 14 to Tuesday, July 22, 2025 (all day)
Iowa Summer Writing Festival
The Iowa Summer Writing Festival is back on campus at the University of Iowa this June and July, offering 70 weekend and weeklong workshops led by 45 acclaimed instructors.Since 1987, the Iowa Summer Writing Festival has welcomed to The University of Iowa writers from 18 to 98 years of age, from all 50 states, and from every continent. Most come to the workshop table from other areas of expertise, other lives — including the armed forces, business, diplomacy, education, farming, homemaking...
Diana Goetsch, "'Emotional Truth' or Making Shit Up? How Far Should 'Creative' Nonfiction Go?" promotional image

Diana Goetsch, "'Emotional Truth' or Making Shit Up? How Far Should 'Creative' Nonfiction Go?"

Monday, July 14, 2025 11:00am to 12:00pm
Gilmore Hall
The proliferation of Creative Nonfiction departments came with a campaign for a new and distinct genre. Since “truth” is relative (the argument often went) and memory is unreliable, why not mix fictive techniques with fact and experience to better “shape” nonfiction narratives? OK, but what becomes of our contract with the reader when we embellish or omit key elements of what we know, or invent what we don’t? How far is too far? What’s creativity, and what is making shit up? This talk, rife with...
Topics in Human Genetics promotional image

Topics in Human Genetics

Monday, July 14, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building
The course is open to individuals wishing to learn more about current topics in Human Genetics who meet the following criteria; individuals must have completed a course in genetics and are currently in a genetics lab, or have past genetics research experience. Genetics educators are also welcome to attend the course.The objective of the course is to provide persons familiar with genetics a broad overview of gene identification, molecular genetics, complex disease, next generation sequencing...
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