Training for Tough Tutorials

TRAINING FOR TOUGH TUTORIALS

University of Richmond Writing Center’s Training for Tough Tutorials

Home Page: http://writing2.richmond.edu/training/tough/

There are 13 scenarios with corresponding scenario notes, sample tutee papers, & response questions. Each scenario features an interactive diagram that allows users to explore multiple tutoring choices/ outcomes.

Please choose 3 that you think might be most helpful for you, and follow the instructions below:

* For each of the 13 Scenario Links, follow these directions:

1.) Click link & read scenario notes

2.) View the entire session scenario by clicking on each of the boxes starting at the very top. After clicking each scenario box, you must right click the grey “quick time” box & choose: “run this program”.

3.) Read the sample paper. (Its link is just to the right of the scenario boxes)

4.) Answer Reflection Questions & e-mail them to Chris. Keep copies for yourself & record each scenario section you have completed.

SCENARIO LINKS

Project Concept by Joe Essid, UR Writing Center Director, & Dona Hickey, Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences. Original coding by Joe Essid. Logo by Matt Perrine. Filming by Julie-Ann McMillan and Matt Perrine. 2009-10 site redesign by Kathleen Lietzau. Last modified 1/11/2012 by SD City College English Center

Nontraditional Student

Grammar Tutorial

Angry Writer

Fix-It Shop

ESL Help

Reluctant Reviser

Strong Paper

The "Bloody" Paper

Student-Athlete

The Friend

Demoralized Writer

Offensive Paper

"I Don't Get It!"

Nontraditional Student Response

Your name:

Why do you think Hannah's more professional approach works? How does her choice of words affect Susan's reaction?

Did Hannah choose the most pressing issue in Susan's paper?

Why is the attempt to cover all the issues in Susan's paper so weak?

Are there any different issues you would have addressed or approaches you would have taken had you been tutoring Susan?

Grammar Tutorial Response

Your name:

Look at Bryan's paper. Do you agree with Daisy's assessment of which issues most need attention? If not, why not? If you agree, how would you have helped Bryan with the essay?

How well does Daisy handle Bryan's request for editing? Why?

Suppose Bryan still didn't "get it" after Daisy used online resources to help with her explanations. Can you describe other resources that would help clarify things for Bryan? How would you use them?

The faculty member marked many areas for required revision, but Daisy did not address them. How would you handle the situation had Bryan mentioned how heavily his professor marked the paper?

Angry Writer Response

Your name:

In this scenario, the choice of words is all-important. Which words of Ann's make Laura angry? How would you choose other words in this situation?

When Laura criticizes Dr. Essid, is there any way to sympathize without being unethical? If so, explain how you would do this.

If you were Ann, and you got Dr. Essid's phone call, what would you do? Why?

The Fix-It Shop Response

Your name:

Luke makes several mistakes in his choice of words. At what point does Siobhan become upset? Why?

In two spots, Luke gets Siobhan to take part in the tutorial. How does he manage this? Would you handle it any differently? If so, how?

Luke's approach to Siobhan's unethical request for help does not work. Why?

Luke uses a leading question to encourage Siobhan's response. How would you have phrased that question? Why?

ESL Help Response

Your name:

Compare Emily's and LaTonya's approaches and mannerisms in the work with Marisa. Do any of these contribute to the tutors' mistakes? Please explain.

Which details make Emily's first and second approaches to questioning Marisa differ?

Read over Marisa's short paper and assume that you would be the tutor for her next appointment. Where would you begin? Why?

Reluctant Reviser Response

Your name:

Which strategies of Emma's worked best? Why?

Suppose Lisa came in for another appointment since her professor had convinced her that her writing was not as strong as she believed. Where, for this paper, would you begin for the second appointment?

Lisa gets overwhelmed when she realizes that a lot of revision is needed to improve her draft. What could Emma have done differently, or added to her advice, to convince Lisa of the work needed and to help Lisa retain her confidence?

Strong Paper Response

Your name:

In what ways does Chris most benefit Julie? To which of Chris's questions or comments does Julie most readily respond? Are there some situations in which Chris hinders Julie's progress as a writer rather than help it?

Read through Julie's paper. Instead of creating nervous energy before the tutorial, how can Chris better prepare herself to address a strong writer?

Which words of praise that Chris uses might be considered inappropriate for the English Center atmosphere? Is there a way in which Chris can offer praise while still maintaining the professionalism the English Center requires?

How does Julie respond to Chris's help with active and passive voice? Can Chris find a more beneficial way to work with Julie on this aspect, or should the subject be dropped?

Which of Chris's body movements imply active listening? How does this active listening benefit the tutorial?

Bloody Paper Response

Your name:

If you had to write comments for Dr. Essid, how could you express Owen's frustrations about the commentary?

If you were the tutor, and Owen found out you had taken a class with Dr. Essid, how would you respond to Owen's questions?

Student-Athlete Response

Your name:

How do Tracy's specific word choices lead Mike to think she is being condescending to him? Considering him an equal?

How would you avoid the situations in which the NCAA violations occur?

Read over Mike's paper. Does Tracy's advice for support go far enough? If you had time, what other issues would you emphasize, and why?

The Friend Response

Your name:

This scenario presents many options. Are there any approaches that Josh does not take that you would take? If so, why?

Demoralized Writer Response

Your name:

Read the Scenario Notes and then state why you think Julie is demoralized when she comes into the tutorial. What could her professor have done to make the consultation with a tutor more effective?

Pay close attention to the words Laura chooses and her body language when she reassures Julie and addresses the teacher comments well. What specific words or gestures help make this a success?

Offensive Paper Response

Your name:

Read the Scenario Notes and Gwen's paper. Given the advice about freedom of speech, how would you conduct the tutorial and complete the corresponding tutoring slip?

What comments would you include on the tutoring slip if Gwen refused to change the offensive tone after you politely told her about it?

I Don’t Get It Response

Your name:

Did Carmen clearly explain her assignment and identify her concerns? If yes, please describe these.

If you were Carmen’s tutor, what 2 or 3 topics would you suggest including on the agenda for the session?

The tutor used more than one resource while working with Carmen during this session. What were they?

What resources (available at the English Center) would you have used?