 |
|
We often receive the many of the same questions over and over throughout a semester. To help deal with those frequent questions, OWL has several boilerplate messages that you can insert (see inserting text into an email message). The table below summarizes the boilerplate that's currently available. Complete copies of each message follow the table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
explains that there are numerous types of citation styles (including MLA and APA); encourages reader to consult our handouts on the Web |
especially useful when someone sends in some citation information, doesn't specify citation format, and asks a tutor to format it |
|
|
TBA |
can help point ESL students to other resources; could possibly inserted after the "sorry" file |
|
|
explains why the OWL lacks answer keys to most handouts; encourages reader to write in with a specific question or two |
to be used when someone writes in asking us if we have answer keys available |
|
|
tells readers that they've incorrectly labeled their e-mail message and reminds them of the correct subject line (owl-request) |
to be used when you see messages, such as "send index" or "send 36", that were intended to be requests for the e-mail server |
|
|
explains our policy of reading entire drafts of papers; explains that we can only read the drafts of Purdue students and staff; offers to answer a question or two |
to be used when a non-Purdue student asks a tutor
to read through, or proofread, an entire paper ALSO useful when someone writes in with a general request for help, or when someone asks what we do |
cite We often get people asking how to cite a research resource. Usually, though, they don't specify what kind of citation style they're using. They often don't realize that there are specific styles out there. This file explains that the OWL has MLA and APA handouts available:
Hi: How you cite something depends on the citation style you're using. Are you using MLA (Modern Language Association) or APA (American Psychological Association) or something else? Once I know that, perhaps I can help. Feel free to write again and let me know what style you're using.
Or, you may want to take a look at our MLA and APA handouts and see if the answer's already there. You'll find those handouts by linking to our index of handouts at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/by-topic.html
Look for our section on writing research papers and citing sources.
Good luck with your project! The Purdue OWL Team
Back to TOP
keys - People occasionally write in asking for answer keys to our handouts. This file explains why we lack such keys.:
Hi: We currently lack answer keys to most handouts, and this is so for a couple reasons: First, our online handouts were originally developed as paper handouts for use in our walk-in Writing Lab at Purdue. These handouts were meant to be used by tutors and students during tutorials, so tutors were available to talk about answers. No keys were needed as a consequence. Second, many of the exercises in the handouts could be answered in numerous ways, so we hated to have answer keys that might suggest only one answer. I can see where people downloading the handouts won't have a tutor to discuss answers with, and that makes answer keys seem more useful online, I'm guessing. We do have one last restriction, though, and that's personnel. We need someone who can create those keys, and no one's had time yet. I'm sorry that we lack answer keys at this point; however, feel free to write if you ever have a question about a particular exercise. The Purdue OWL Team
Back to TOP
oops -If you see a message that only says something like "send files", then you know that someone intended to receive a handout automatically but that the writer did not insert the correct subject line. This message prompts the writer to re-write the subject line and try again:
Hi: We're sorry, but your request was incorrectly addressed. To have an automatic response from the Online Writing Lab server you need to ensure that the subject is 'owl-request'. Please send your message again with the subject 'owl-request'.
Thanks! The Purdue OWL Team
sorry -This message is appropriate when a writer makes a general request for help or when a non-Purdue student sends an entire text and want a tutor to proofread it:
Thank you for asking about the OWL. Our service is free to anyone. People can view our handouts and links to other writing resources via the World Wide Web at http://owl.english.purdue.edu Also, we are glad to respond via email to a question or two from anyone who asks, but, unfortunately, we lack the resources to read drafts of papers from people who aren't Purdue students. Reading through a paper takes a significant amount of time, and we simply don't have enough tutors to respond to all requests.
Remember, though, that we'd be happy to answer a specific question or two such as "Does this thesis sentence seem clear?" or "Is the wording of this sentence appropriate?" etc. Please feel free to write again if you want to pose a specific question.
Good luck in your work. The Purdue OWL Team
Back to TOP
Though the boilerplate is inevitably general, you can make it sound a bit more personal by changing a few words or adding extra information. Feel free to adapt the boilerplate in each message. You should try especially to add a salutation and a closing to the message.
For more a discussion of the issues concerning tutoring online, see the Tutoring page.
|
owl home || writing lab and owl || handouts || workshops and presentations || internet resources This page is located at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/lab/owl/tutoring/boilerplate.html
Copyright ©1995-2004 by OWL at Purdue
University and Purdue University. All rights reserved. |