Basic+Guidelines+for+Tutoring

=Basic Guidelines for Tutoring=

The Writing Center is not a remedial service. We help writers of all skill levels, from basic writers to non-native writers to faculty and staff. Even fellow consultants, past and present, frequently use the Center because they know what great work we do. They come from all disciplines and will bring you many different types of projects.

Some important things to remember about your clients:
 * Many have never been to the Writing Center before and do not know what to expect.
 * Some assume that the Writing Center will simply “fix” their papers—but they are often pleasantly surprised to find out that we do much more than that!
 * Some clients do not want to be in the session. Your job is to encourage them as much as you can, but also remember that you can’t //make// someone want to be there.
 * Many have had bad experiences with writing and thus have little self-confidence about their writing skill. Be sensitive to this, but also curious about their previous experiences.
 * On the other side of the coin, many writers have received excellent grades in writing and may be resistant to what they may see as you “interfering” with their writing.
 * [[image:file:///C:/Users/fox27/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg width="624" height="477"]] Many have had bad experiences with collaboration and may be hesitant to engage with you. Be patient and friendly, but remember that this “opening up” may take time and may not happen in one session.

But the //most// important things to remember are that //it’s all writing// and //all writing has value!//

**What You Can Expect**
//The workplace will…// //Employees will…// //Supervisors will…//
 * Be a safe and stimulating environment for consultants.
 * Contain resources and materials (i.e., reference books, citation manuals, writing instruments, paper, computers, etc.) necessary for conducting sessions.
 * Maintain an appropriate level of professionalism by:
 * Arriving on time and prepared to work.
 * Dressing and behaving in a manner befitting their position in the academic community.
 * Treating everyone around them with respect.
 * Maintain ethical standards
 * Receive ongoing professional development.
 * Be able to work a schedule that does not interfere with prior academic or personal priorities.
 * Be able to take time off when necessary to accommodate personal or academic priorities.
 * Be self-reflective practitioners.
 * Be available to consultants and writers for guidance and advice.
 * Be models for appropriate professional behavior.
 * Advise and make suggestions to consultants as to behavior, best practices, etc. where appropriate.
 * Provide consultants with ample opportunities to improve their understanding of Writing Center theory and practice.
 * Provide consultants with ample opportunities for self-reflection.

**What Writers Can Expect**
//The Writing Center will…// //Writing// //Center// //consultants will…//
 * Be a safe, comfortable, friendly and stimulating environment to receive assistance with their writing.
 * Contain resources and materials to help writers improve their writing.
 * Provide knowledgeable, friendly peer assistance with all stages of writing.
 * [[image:file:///C:/Users/fox27/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image003.jpg width="624" height="477"]] Provide excellent customer service.
 * Help writers learn how to improve their own writing rather than doing the work for them.

Consultant Responsibilities
 * Guide and motivate students in academic matters only
 * Ask questions
 * Listen carefully
 * Paraphrase
 * Help students understand
 * Help students feel understood
 * It’s okay if you don’t know!
 * Recognize that each student has his/her own natural pace for learning
 * Recognize that this is //not// easy for the student
 * Develop and hone your own skills

**Daily Procedures**
Consultants are expected to adhere to the following guidelines and procedures:


 * 1) Be on time and in the Center when scheduled to work, regardless of whether you have a schedule appointment.


 * 1) If you are unable to come to work due to illness, call Michael (836-5006 – Meyer Library 112 or the Writing Center at 836-6398.


 * 1) If you have a schedule conflict and need to swap your hours, make every effort to switch with one of your fellow tutors. Advise Michael of any changes.


 * 1) Check your e-mail for messages and meeting announcements. As a rule, general meetings are to be attended by both consultants and receptionists and will be bi-weekly. Consultant training and informational meetings will be biweekly and only consultants are required to attend.


 * 1) Have clients check in with the receptionist on duty if it is their first visit to the Center this academic year.


 * 1) After you finish a consulting session, ask if the client would like to schedule another appointment. If so, escort the client to the receptionist on duty so that the client may be added to the schedule. Alternately, clients may schedule their own appointments online at [|http://writingcenter.missouristate.edu]. (Note: It’s a good idea to give clients a Writing Center bookmark at the end of a session. These have our phone number and the URL to the website.)