1. THE ATMOSPHERICS OF BODY LANGUAGE IN THE WRITING CENTER AND TUTORING SESSION

2. GET UP AND SHAKE IT OUT Notice how your body feels today, notice posture, get up for a stretch or stretch in your seat.

3. THE GREETING -Get up out of your chair! -Offer a handshake -Smile -Sit down together

4. CONNECT WITH A HANDSHAKE

5. SITTING DOWN -Ask if it’s ok to sit alongside the writer, bridge the space. Most sessions start across table and then move to side by side. -Phone on? Announce you are turning it off as a gesture of focus and attention

6. SESSION IN PROGRESS Don’t forget to look up, make eye contact and check in

7. USE GESTURES

8. APPROACHABLE VS. DEFENSIVE BODY LANGUAGE

9. LISTENING Be a good/active listener -Use facial expressions to show interest/empathy -Nod your head to show you are tuned in -Maintain eye contact -Writer in disbelief? Open your mouth -Writer in shock? Raise eyebrows or widen eyes

10. NOTICE YOUR POSTURE AND THE WRITER’S

11. NOTICE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

12. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF ANXIETY AROUND THE FACE? -Hands on the face -Chewing Fingers -Constant adjusting of hair -Face in hands -Eyebrows down -Frowning

13. NOTICING SIGNS OF ANXIETY? CHECK IN Questions: How are you today? When is this assignment due? How do you feel about writing? Where and how do you write at home? Is there anything we can adjust in the Writing Center to make you more comfortable? (Light, noise cancelling technology, headphones during a writing session)

14. CHECK YOUR OWN FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND POSTURE/ START FRESH AND SMILE

15. HOW TO RESET POOR POSTURE Ask for a stretch! Simply standing up or stretching in the chair can reset poor posture and invigorate a session. Invite the writer to do the same.

16. CALL TIME OUT Use breathing/stretching/walking around for a minute to reset a session that has the signs of losing energy and interest. It only takes one minute to improve the next twenty to fifty minutes

17. MIRROR THE POSTURE YOU WISH TO SEE By creating good posture you increase the likelihood of seeing the writer maintain good posture. Both good and bad posture are contagious. Be careful not to mirror poor posture!

18. MAKE THE TEXT BIG AND EASY TO SHARE IT CAN IMPROVE POSTURE -Use focus view or 150-200% -Increase the size for easy shared access -This can improve posture during the sessions and reduce strain to see the work leading to more relaxed writers

19. GET - C.L.O.S.E.R C- Connect L- Lean In O- Offer Hospitality and open your posture S- Smile E- Eye Contact R- Relax

20. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OR INJURIES If you know a writer has a disability or suspect they may be injured or experiencing physical discomfort, ask if there is anything you can do to accommodate them.

21. THE BASICS AGAIN Get up and shake hands- It’s polite, welcoming and respectful! Make eye contact–It demonstrates attention Smile- It fosters connection and confidence Be animated- Use gestures. Lean in- It shows you are interested Be relaxed- Tension is contagious, and so is relaxation! Show good posture- Writers want to work with an alert and engaged tutor Be aware- Make sure you aren’t fidgeting or acting distracted