In this course, students will have an opportunity to implement the theories they learn about teaching and tutoring writing in actual interactions with students. The course will begin by exploring the evolution of theories about teaching writing over the last several decades and how those theories have impacted theories and practices about working with writers as tutors. Readings and discussions will address practical approaches for helping students at all stages of the writing process, including invention, organization, grammar, as well as writing for different genres and in different disciplines. The complex teacher/tutor/student relationship will also be a focus as students will be asked to reflect on how to incorporate their own style into the teaching/tutoring dynamic. Throughout the semester, we will draw connections between tutoring writing in a one-on-one interaction and teaching writing in a classroom setting. Students will work several hours each week in the Writing Center through which students will gain actual tutoring experience. Ultimately, these experiences will provide a departure point for articulation of individual pedagogical approaches and how place figures into the teaching of writing.
Because this course involves a 5 hour/wk paid tutoring position, students need to apply to enroll. For application materials, please contact the instructor at georgann@hawaii.edu
Assignments:
- Weekly responses to readings
- 5-7 page mid-term paper synthesizing theories for composition teaching practices with writing center theory/practices
- 10-page final paper that, drawing from the tutoring log, situates/critiques tutoring practices employed within both composition and writing center theory
- An in-class presentation that involves leading class discussion on readings/tutoring practices
- Tutoring observations
- Tutoring
- Journal log on tutoring interactions
Required Texts:
Murphy, Christina, and Steve Sherwood. The St. Martin’s Sourcebook for Writing Tutors. 4th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011.
Ryan, Leigh, and Lisa Zimmerelli. The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors. 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016.
Additional readings will be provided via a course packet or uploaded to a class website.