COLLEGIAL TALK: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF A TUTORIAL Taylor Durland Paige Peterson Emily Schworer Danielle Schafer Photo Credit: artlink.files.wordpress.com Photo Credit:

Getting Started  Read draft before meeting (if available)  Reading a paper in session options:  Have them read it aloud  You read it quietly with them present or leave the room and read it alone  Set objectives for meeting  Prepare open-ended questions  Why did you choose your topic? Argument? Approach?  How can I help you?

During the Session  Be prepared to improvise  Continue asking questions from a reader’s perspective  Ask for clarification  Ask “So what?” or “Why?”  Play Devil’s advocate  Actively listen  Wait time and silence allow the reader to think about your questions and how to address them

COLLEGIAL TALK APPROACHING THE WRITER  Be friendly yet assertive  Smoothly transition into academic topics  Lay out the goals of the tutorial ahead of time  Ask the writer what he or she hopes to gain from the tutorial ahead of time

COLLEGIAL TALK WRITERS WEB VIDEO TRAINING SERIES Let’s take a look at one scenario dealing with a “Demoralized Writer” and what can be helpful in dealing with the situation. Be ready to discuss after the video. h/demoral/demoralindex.html

COLLEGIAL TALK DURING THE TUTORIAL  If you are comfortable, it makes it easier for the writer to be comfortable taking advice from you  Don’t be afraid to take a break from working on a writing assignment  Balance your appearance of a peer and authority on academic writing  Pay close attention to visual cues from the writer such as frustration or anger expressed and use these to comfort the writer and work towards getting back on track

COLLEGIAL TALK CULMINATING THE TUTORIAL  Review the main points discussed and be open to rephrasing and clarifying anything the writer has questions about  Ask the writer if there is anything further that they feel needs to be discussed. After all, this is their time to grow from the mistakes they identify  Leave them with words of encouragement or assurance as many will be unconfident about their writing abilities  If you plan on working with the writer again, jot some notes down so that you may recall the session the next time you meet with them

Balance of Criticism Find something good to say about every paper Find something to work on in every paper Constructive criticism Photo credit: beautifulexistance.files.wordpres s.com

Body Language Pick up on their body language Sit beside them Let them control the paper Show that you’re interested and engaged so they will want to be

Building a Relationship Start by introducing yourself Make conversation ◦Makes writer more comfortable ◦Balance between formal and informal Find connections in writing ◦Ex) “I used to have a problem with where to use quotes too.” Photo credit:

If I’m completely stuck and am having trouble having an academic conversation with my mentee, what should I do?

Bag of Tricks! Photo credit:

Bag of Tricks! Put paper aside ◦Discuss ideas Focus on organization Use Writer’s Web ◦ mlhttp://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb.ht ml Take a short break Ask the writer to sum the assignment up in one to two sentences

Bag of Tricks!  Conversation starters/continuances -”How are you liking the college mentoring program?” -”Why did you choose this topic?” -”Can you tell me more about…” -”Do you have a personal connection to the topic?” -”What happens after that?”

Bag of Tricks! Things to AVOID -Don’t lecture about behavior -Don’t be a “fix it shop” -Don’t give them unworthy praise -Don’t ignore writer’s concerns

ACTIVITY The best way to learn is from actually doing so this activity is crucial for understanding! We will be giving you scenarios which we will then prep you for acting out in front of the group!

ROLE PLAY #1: THE DEMORALIZED WRITER WE NEED TWO PARTICIPANTS FOR A ROLE PLAY! Photo credit:

ROLE PLAY #2: THE “BASIC” WRITER ONE LAST SCENARIO! WE NEED TWO PARTICIPANTS! Photo credit: blog.hudsonhorixons.com

ANY COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? CONCERNS? Photo credit: