Writing Coaching

Deb Nesbitt Portrait

Leslie Dupont, PhD

With a PhD in Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English and 30 years of teaching, writing, and editing experience, Leslie has worked with populations from across disciplines and backgrounds in education and the private sector. She has published two textbooks, Writing Cornerstones: Paragraphs in Context (2002) and Writing Keystones: Essays and Research (2003). Her professional interests include communities of practice, online learning, and alternative academics.

Leslie Dupont, PhD ("Dr. Les") is the College of Nursing Writing Coach. She works directly with Nursing students, staff, and faculty on scholarly and professional writing in order to strengthen skills in this area.

Dr. Les is available to meet with students individually or in small groups. You can make a Zoom appointment with her by using the online scheduling system. Simply click on the link below and select the day and time that work best for you.

Schedule Appointment

Dr. Les's general schedule is Monday–Friday at the following times:

  • Mon: 8:00am–5:00pm Mountain Standard Time (MST)
  • Tue: 8:00am–5:00pm MST
  • Wed: 10:00am–7:00pm MST
  • Thu: 9:00am–6:00pm MST
  • Fri: 8:00am–5:00pm MST

Writing Coach Services

Contact Information

Leslie Dupont, PhD
University of Arizona College of Nursing
1305 N Martin Ave
Tucson, AZ 85721-0203

Email: ldupont@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-626-5118

Student Coaching Services

  • Chat
    If you have a quick writing question, check my webpage to see if I'm available on chat.
  • Group Coaching (online by Zoom)
    Group coaching involves my meeting with 3 to 10 students as a facilitator for approximately two hours. We will discuss and share writing, brainstorm ideas, practice revision and peer-feedback strategies, and address perceived challenges related to writing. Groups can be held on Zoom, in person, or a blend of both.
  • Individual Coaching (online by Zoom; schedule 30- or 45-minute appointment)
    Email me if you would like to set up a time to meet with me one-on-one to discuss your writing. I’m not an editor; I’m a coach—a facilitator. This means that I’ll help you identify and revise error patterns; guide you in improving clarity; and work with you on generating ideas, getting that first draft out, improving organization and/or content, and using APA style. 
  • Drop-in Hours (online by Zoom; schedule 20-minute appointment)
    I generally hold drop-in hours online via Zoom twice a week for two hours at a time. Click here to get Zoom link (NetID required).

Faculty & Staff Coaching Services

  • Facilitated Writing Groups
  • Individual Coaching
  • Drop-in Hours
  • Focus Groups
  • Faculty Writing Workshops
  • Class Presentations

Writing Resources

  1. MLA vs. APA Format
    Descriptions and examples of basic differences between APA and MLA styles.
  2. Video: APA 7th Quick Tour (Accessible to UArizona Community Only)
    A (7:22 minutes) video that reviews commonly used sections in the APA 7th ed. Manual
  3. APA Style Blog - 7th Edition
    In-depth answers by the APA experts to APA style questions
  4. Video: Paraphrasing (Accessible to UArizona Community Only)
    A short (3:16 minutes) video that describes five simple steps to paraphrasing effectively
  5. Video: Paraphrasing Demonstration (Accessible to UArizona Community Only)
    A short (6:06 minutes) video demonstrating how to paraphrase a passage from a scholarly journal article
  6. Handout: 5 Steps to an Effective Paraphrase
    A one-page handout listing steps for paraphrasing accurately and avoiding inadvertent plagiarism or patchwriting
  7. UA Libraries: Avoid Plagiarism
    Defines plagiarism and describes ways to use source material correctly. Provides a practice section with links to tutorials 

General Information

Copyright and Intellectual Property

Turnitin Resources for Students

Turnitin Resources for Faculty

  1. APA's Academic Writer
    Tutorials, formatted paper templates, and reference-building tools for using APA style ($)
  2. EndNote Reference Manager
    Formats bibliographies; Searches for full-text for references ($ for desktop version)
    AHSL Endnote (EndNote training videos and free workshops)
    YouTube: EndNote Training (EndNote Training Videos)
  3. Mendeley
    Sign in through the UArizona ("institutional account") to use for free
    Collects, organizes, cites, and shares research sources
  4. PERRLA
    Automatic formatting in APA and MLA styles ($)
  5. Zotero Reference Manager
    Collects, organizes, cites, and shares research sources
  1. "ESL Instructors and Students"
    Resources and Handouts
  2. UsingEnglish
    Specializes in ESL resources
  3. "Writing (and More) Resources"
    Section on multilingual resources
  1. Editage Insights
    Short (4.5-minute) video with tips for improving academic writing
  2. English Grammar Online
    Grammar references and exercises; How to write English texts
  3. GrammarBook
    Links to English usage resources; Extensive grammar and punctuation resources
  4. Grammarly Online Proofreader
    Free; Automated feedback on grammar, style, spelling, and plagiarism
  5. Pearson Writer
    Mobile app; Writing and research support; Checks grammar and style, makes suggestions
  6. Purdue Online Writing Lab 
    Writing and citation materials for students and teachers; APA documentation, grammar, clarity, revision, and additional writing resources; Writing tutorials and handouts
  7. YouTube: Socratica Online
    Short (1-5 minute) videos; Grammar, punctuation, spelling; clarification of hard-to-remember English rules
  8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: The Writing Center
    Links to multiple writing resources; Tips and tools
  9. Writer’s Handbook,University of Wisconsin – Madison: The Writing Center
    Resources for academic and professional writing; writing process and structure; improving writing style, grammar and punctuation; and citing references 

Campus Writing Support Programs (online and in-person writing support)

  1. Graduate Writing Lab (UArizona Graduate Center)
  2. Writing Skills Improvement Program (WSIP)
    (online writing room, individual and small-group tutoring, summer Graduate Writing Institute)
  3. UArizona THINK TANK Writing Center

Literature Search and Review Support

  1. University of Arizona Libraries
  2. Steps to Synthesizing Literature (VoiceThread interactive presentation; log in with your UArizona NetID and password to view; post questions and comments by clicking on the plus sign [+] on each slide)