Washburn University's Writing Center has outlined
guidelines for its Writing Consultants that relate to some issues addressed
in my proposal. For example, a Writing Consultant:
3. assists students to develop their abilities through asking questions
and helping them internalize as well as express the "correct"
answers by explaining concepts and techniques and giving them practice using
those concepts and techniques.
(This objective relates to Warnock and Warnock's idea that tutors help students
develop their own abilities to express themselves. The idea of asking the
students questions is a basis of our writing center too. I do have a problem
with saying that writing tutors can help students find "correct"
answers. "Correct" according to whom?)
6. Does not proofread or write students' papers
for them (but instead works directly with the student in an interactive
manner)
(This objective emphasizes that ideas for students
papers are their own.)
13. Avoids allowing any political, social, educational,
philosophical, racial or sexual biases or preferences to have a part in
his/her tutoring relationships with individuals. (Sheldon)
(This objective calls for addressing only a
student's problems with writing, and nothing else.)
These guidelines seem to purport what I am proposing here, that tutoring
should be collaborative, but should give a certain amount of control to
the student.
Link to Washburn
University's Writing Center Guidelines