Consulting, not Proofreading: How the Writing Center Helps College Writers Fall Orientation Workshop, August 17, 2004

Consulting, not Proofreading: How the Writing Center Helps2 The Idea of a Writing Center (Stephen M. North) NOT: a fix-it shop a proofreading or editing service a remedial skill and drill laboratory a form of classroom instruction a guaranteed remedy for errors or poor papers

Consulting, not Proofreading: How the Writing Center Helps3 The Past (Peter Carino) Classroom workshops (1900 – 1930s): Method, not Site Writing Clinics (1940s – 1950s): Armed Forces English, Diagnostic Sites Writing Labs (1970s – 1980s): Open Admissions, Remedial Sites Isolated cubicles, workbooks, headphones, grammar exercises and drills

Consulting, not Proofreading: How the Writing Center Helps4 The Present ( 1980s – Now) Writers can talk about their writing Consultants (tutors) offer face-to-face verbal feedback Students set the agenda for consultation on their writing sample Neither grades nor instructors are discussed Students practice composition and revision aloud Goal is not better writing, but better writers Writing CENTERS A supportive environment where:

Consulting, not Proofreading: How the Writing Center Helps5 Student Services: What We Do to Help College Writers Provide 20 min. of tutoring (30 min. if not crowded) Help with any stage of the writing process:  Topic selection  Audience considerations (tone)  Strategies for persuasion, logic, organization  Research and source citations  Page Layout and formatting (MLA, APA)  Coherence of sentences and word choices, 1 page max Model revision habits for students to apply on their own (Clark & Healy) Ask students to identify weaknesses and how to improve (Brooks) Suggest ways to make the paper fit instructor specifications Refer students to resources in print or online for further practice

Consulting, not Proofreading: How the Writing Center Helps6 Bibliography Brooks, Jeff. “Minimalist Tutoring: Making the Student Do All the Work.” Writing Lab Newsletter 15.6 (1991): 1-4. Carino, Peter. “Early Writing Centers: Toward a History.” The Writing Center Journal 15.2 (1995): Clark, Irene L. and Dave Healy. “Are Writing Centers Ethical?” WPA: Writing Program Administration 20 ½ (1996): Harris, Muriel. “Solutions and Trade-Offs in Writing Center Administration.” The Writing Center Journal 12.1 (1991): North, Stephen M. “The Idea of a Writing Center.” College English 46 (1984):