Problems with Using Humor in the Writing Center
(and How to Avoid Them)
1. The Student may Feel that Humor is not Appropriate During a Tutorial
"For some individuals laughter is free-flowing and virtually automatic,
for others, it is a scarcer commodity, reserved for a more limited range
of social occasions" (Foot 367). In terms of the writing center, some
people may feel that a tutoring session is an occasion for which humor is
appropriate, others may not. A tutor who is "free-flowing" with
humor should be respectful of more reserved students who don't think that
humor belongs in the writing center. Tutors should therefore try to "read"
how a student feels about humor before employing their best comedy routine.
2. The Student may Feel that Humor is Offensive
Several theorists claim that humor "stems from the observation of others'
infirmities or failures" (Foot 357). Many people still believe the
"age-old perception that humor is essentially derisive" (Sherwood
49). A student who holds these beliefs would be traumatized by a tutor who
tried to use humor in a tutorial. Even the most well-meaning tutor must
be conscious and considerate of the fact that some people are insulted by
humor. Again, they must try to "read" a student's attitude about
humor before using it in a tutorial.
3. Students may not Understand the Tutor's Sense
of Humor
Former tutor Mark Smith notes, "The things that we as humans find funny
are based on our experiences in life - which books we've read, which movies
we've seen, which troubles we've encountered in our livesthe problem here
is that obviously not everyone has the same experiences" (personal
e-mail 10/24/97). Because tutors work with students from a wide range of
backgrounds, there is always the risk that their humor may not be understood.
In some cases, a tutor may unknowingly offend a student. Smith tried to
avoid misunderstandings by trying to "stick with humor that dealt with
the typical human condition, things with which everyone would be able to
identify" (personal e-mail 10/24/97).
Tutors should be especially sensitive when working with ESL students. These
students have not had the background experiences necessary for them to appreciate
American humor. "One grave error is the assumption that humor is universalhumor
differs widely from culture to culture"(Macdonald and Sarkodie-Mensah
429). Therefore ESL students might be confused by American humor. For example,
former tutor Ryan Jones remembers "numerous Japanese students for whom
`American-brand/conditioned' humor may have proved frustrating, isolating,
and even insulting" (personal e-mail 10/29/97). Click here
to see tips on the best ways to use humor with ESL students.
4. Students may Feel Too Vulnerable to Understand
Humor
The success of humor between two people is very dependent on the perceived
success of their relationship (Verderber and Verderber 308). If two people
feel that they have a good relationship, any joking or teasing that takes
place between them will be perceived in a positive way (Verderber and Verderber
308). However if there is a strain in their relationship, "humor will
accelerate the conflict rather than diffuse it" (Alberts qtd. in Verderber
and Verderber 308).
It is important for the writing tutor to understand this concept, as the
tutor-student relationship may often be strained. Students may feel extremely
sensitive and vulnerable as they submit their papers to tutors' evaluation.
In these cases, using humor may back-fire. Mark Smith remembers one tutoring
session with a student who was "so distraught about the changes that
(Mark) had recommended" (personal e-mail 10/24/97) that he misunderstood
Mark's well-meaning attempts to use humor to lighten the situation. Mark
reports, "he thought that I was making fun of him with my light-hearted
attitude. He actually started to cry" (personal e-mail 10/24/97). Although
this story may be an extreme example, it illustrates how a tutor must be
sensitive to the fact that sudents visiting the writing venter may be feeling
too vulnerable to appreciate humor.
5. Humor may be Distracting
If taken too far, humor can prevent either the tutor or the student from
taking the tutorial seriously. Kelly Nagle recommends that tutors use humor
only in moderation so that their tutorials don't turn into "a big joke"
(personal interview 11/1/97). This point is especially relevant to peer
tutors because they may end up tutoring one of their close friends. Tutor
Steve Simpson asserts that in this case it is especially important to maintain
a high level of professionalism (9). In reference to working with one of
his best friends, he says "because of our relationship I had to take
more control in our sessions than I had with any other tutees"(9).
Steve felt that any digression from the task at hand would tempt him to
slip into a social conversation with his friend and ignore his paper (9).
In cases like this, humor may be more of a tempting distraction than an
asset.
6. Humor may be Imprecise
As humor can be an imprecise way to communicate, it may obscure the meaning
of the message that the tutor is trying to convey. Former tutor Jeff Carl
gives an example: "Simplifying `Overuse of pronouns is confusing and
sloppy' to `Overuse of pronouns SUCKS" gets a laugh, but it doesn't
communicate the necessary information" (personal e-mail 11/30/97).
Effective communication between tutor and student is a more crucial goal
of a tutorial than making the session funny. Carl advises tutors to make
sure that they "aren't sacrificing relevant (albeit boring) information
for the SAKE of humor" (personal e-mail 11/30/97).
7. The Tutor may not Like Using Humor
Every tutor has his/her own style. For some tutors, using humor doesn't
fit into their own personal way of handling tutorials. Gail Brendel, for
example, prefers to keep a high level of professionalism in her tutoring
sessions (9). If you, as a tutor, don't feel comfortable using humor, then
don't use it. Although there are many benefits to employing humor during
a writing tutorial, they are not worth forcing yourself to be funny. Forced
humor not only makes the tutor uncomfortable, but also may make the whole
tutorial seem forced (Nagle personal interview 11/1/97).
Click here to view the "Benefits of Using Humor in the Writing Center" page
Click here to view the "Works Cited" page
Click here to return to the "Humor in the Writing Center" introduction page