gettingstarted

Getting Started

The following section outlines segments of Chapter 3 of Leigh Ryan's "The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors." Consultants are advised to follow these few basic guidelines in order to help insure that conferences begin on a good note.

Introduce yourself - A good way to begin a conference is to introduce yourself to the writer. By thus exchanging pleasantries, you can begin to establish a friendly rapport with the writer from the onset of the conference.
Sit side by side - Sitting side by side with the writer will allow you to present yourself as a friend and an ally, rather than an authority figure. It also permits both you and the writer to view the paper simultaneously.
Keep supplies handy - It is always a good idea to keep a number of supplies handy at all times. These may include: pencils and pens, scrap paper, a dictionary, and the MLA Handbook.. Various reference materials will be particularly useful in order to clarify specific concerns. When in doubt, it is always better to consult such sources rather than to rely strictly on your own memory.
Set the agenda - During the first few minutes of the conference, ask the writer a variety of questions in order to help determine what aspects of their work they specifically want assistance with.
Effectively use reading time - If the student's narrative is particularly long, it may be a good idea to read only a section of the work in order determine what other problems may be present throughout. Also, reading out loud will eliminate awkward silence.