Join Our Team

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.