Writing Coach and Writing Resources

“It is difficult to describe in words just how amazing Mark Guarie (OSS Writing Coach) has been... He always makes sure that I keep my own voice, but has a unique ability to take my essays to the next level." 

- An anonymous respondent to the 2023-24 OSS Annual Survey

Academic Integrity Resources 

OSS has collected helpful links to clarify what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.

Brief overview of Plagiarism: How to avoid it (less than 3 minute video) What is plagiarism?

• Plagiarism: What It is and How to Avoid It (OSS)
• Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It (Indiana University Bloomington)

Discussion of the various types of plagiarism
How to appropriately quote and paraphrase 

Strategies to avoid plagiarism and planning your paper:

• How to Avoid Plagiarism (Harvard University)
• Plagiarism on Campus
• Preventing Plagiarism when Writing
• Citing Sources: Strategies to Avoid Plagiarism

Citation Resources

• AMA Citation Guide (Himmelfarb Library) 

• Citation Style Guides (GW Libraries) 

• Himmelfarb Library Guide to APA 

• Himmelfarb Resources

SMHS Writing Coach

The Office of Student Support provides a writing coach to support all students at GW Health Sciences. The writing coach is available for one-on-one assistance and can meet virtually at times convenient to students.

The OSS writing coach can assist in providing guidance on issues of mechanics, and other general areas including:

• Writing effective sentences
• Staying on topic, avoiding redundancy, appropriate use of reasoning
• Showing analysis, synthesis, and integration of ideas

Our writing coach will not provide specific guidance on the subject matter content of an assignment. For additional guidance on avoiding plagiarism, citing your sources, and other helpful tools, please check out the rest of the tools listed on this page.

To request information about a writing coach, or to schedule an appointment, please contact SMHSStudents [at] gwu [dot] edu (SMHSStudents[at]gwu[dot]edu).

SMHS Writing Centers

• MGH Institute of Health Professions Writing Center

• Himmelfarb Writing Center - Tuesdays

  •  They can help you with a variety of writing assignments, from research reports to cover letters to CVs. The Writing Center table is located adjacent to the first floor Circulation Desk. The service is free.
  • Walk-ups are welcome, but appointments are preferred. To make an appointment, visit the Writing Center website. If you are a first-timer, you'll see a link on the page that lets you register for an account. 
  • *If you are an online student, or would simply prefer a remote consultation, you'll see an option to request a virtual consultation.