Do you love language and want the opportunity to learn
more about writing beyond the constraints of a classroom?
Then you should apply to become a writing tutor. In the
process of learning to be a tutor, you will work not only
with fellow students who will engage your abilities, but
you will have the opportunity to read some of the best
materials available in the writing center world.
Dr. Marsha Penti, our writing center director, uses her
doctorate in composition and her understandings of the
writing center national conversation to provide you training.
Not only will you study useful texts (books, conference
presentations, and journal articles) written by post-secondary
writing center directors, you will learn techniques for
working with others that will serve you well in college,
the workplace, and the community.
If you are considering tutoring, read this section, stop by
Trustee 8 to talk to Dr. Penti, talk to current writing tutors,
and watch for the spring call for applications in the daily
announcements.
Who is the Baylor writing tutor?
Baylor writing tutors are above-average English students with a
strong desire to help others. They also possess the intellectual
curiosity and desire to better their tutoring skills through
participation in an ongoing conversation about tutoring practices.
Writing tutors help writers:
- Understand assignments
- Use resources
- Revise drafts
- Develop ideas
- Prepare speeches/recitations
- Practice American English (for EFL students)
- Understand grammar
Writing center tutors are:
- Students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors
- Students who enjoy supporting fellow students
through weekly appointments
- Students with at least a B-average in English
- Students who participate in a year-long seminar
- Students who enact the Baylor Writing Center philosophy
If you want to be a writing center tutor:
- Apply in late winter when Dr. Penti begins the "hiring" process.
- Talk to current tutors or Dr. Penti to understand what tutoring entails.
- Read the writing center job description (below).
- Return a completed application form with an attached writing sample.
- Have an interview with Dr. Penti.
As a writing center tutor you need to:
- Be respectful and supportive of all tutees.
- Hold sessions and meetings in confidence.
- Conscientiously show up for tutoring sessions, arriving on
time and maintaining your commitment to a tutee.
- Faithfully attend the required weekly tutor meeting during
TIME (alternating between Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
- On the rare occasion you have an excused absence from the
weekly meeting:
- inform Dr. Penti of your absence beforehand,
- take the initiative to make up the work by
promptly contacting Dr. Penti within 48 hours
(instead of having her contact you), and
- do the missed work in a speedy fashion.
- Understand that you have to go through the spring semster
training (reviewing the tutor manual and participating in
the mentoring system with current tutors) before actually
tutoring.
- Apply your training to your tutoring.
- Prepare as necessary for tutoring, e.g. ask pertinent questions
of Dr. Penti and use appropriate materials (e.g. writing center
handouts).
- Tutor preferably two to three students a week.
- If ill or unavoidably detained (e.g. traffic problems), inform
the director with as much advance notice as possible.
- Make a commitment to tutor for the entire school year.
- Read your e-mails at least once a day to get any important
notices from Dr. Penti.
- Perform duties in a timely manner (e.g. writing up notes
from tutoring sessions).
- Follow English department guidelines and the Baylor Honor Code.