Further advice on using the RLF Fellows and other QM services

What do the RLF Fellows offer?

The Royal Literary Fund Fellows are professional writers who can help you improve your writing in a friendly, one-to-one, confidential meeting that is tailored to your needs. The Fellows can give guidance on the organisation and structure of your essays, advice on style and expression, and provide information about grammar, spelling, and punctuation. They are not there to advise on the intellectual content of work, write your essay for you, or provide a last-minute editing service. If you have dyslexia or are a non-native speaker experiencing problems with written English, you should first acquaint yourself with the other specialist support offered by Queen Mary in these areas as this is likely to be better suited to your needs.  

For advice on dyslexia, please see the resources provided by the Disability and Dyslexia Service. Non-native students can get help with their spoken and written English by taking one of the in-sessional programmes offered through the QM Language Centre. 

Working with the RLF Fellows 

Students initiate contact with the Fellows. Your seminar leader may have indicated that there are aspects of your writing that can be improved or recommended that you make an appointment with one of the Fellows and this is certainly a good incentive.  However, any student of whatever level can see the Fellows. Even good writers can improve their writing and a fluent writing style will often help you get a better grade in assessed work.

Once you have decided that you would like to see one of the Fellows, book an appointment via the google calendar as soon as possible, especially if you want to see the Fellows before a particular assignment is due. Demand can be high and you may have to wait a while before you can get an appointment. Do not book multiple appointments as this is unfair to other students.

Keep your appointments. No shows are frustrating for Fellows and deprive other students of contact time. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please let the Fellows know as soon as possible. Turn up for your appointments on time.

It is hard to discuss writing difficulties in the abstract and the Fellows need something to work on, so, when you attend your appointment, make sure you take a piece of writing or a draft with you. This should be printed and not on your computer screen. It is also useful to take along marked work in which your seminar leader has identified problems with your writing. If you are working on a specific set topic or question, take details of the assignment with you. If you are not sure about what the assignment topic is asking of you, check this with your seminar leader first of all as the Fellows should not be expected to interpret the question for you.

Turn up prepared to apply yourself. The Fellows are happy to explain things but will expect your input and collaboration. This is your chance to get to grips with issues that may have been causing you difficulties for some time, so use the opportunity to ask questions about matters such as grammar and punctuation.

The Fellows may be willing to discuss non-assessed creative writing with you but do ask first by email. During busy periods, they may wish to prioritise academic work.

For details on the RLF and other one-to-one academic study sessions offered by the university, visit the library services page.

Home students are also eligible to enrol in the in-sessional courses offered by the Language Centre mentioned above.