Mission of Writing Centers Blog Summary

The article decsribes the three types of customers they see: first time patrons, return students, and referred students. It also explains how a tutors job is to use minimalist tutoring, and should avoid becoming an editor for the students. They stress the need to ask the students questions about their papers such as: "What concerns do you have?" The job of a tutor is to educate the student on proper writing techniques and help them become better writers. As a tutor, you might edit a first time student's paper, but only if you inform them to make an appointment in advance next time and come prepared with specific questions and concerns. A returning student should come prepared and be ready to answer questions about his paper as well as learn how to improve. Tutors may also hand out or refer writing manuals and guides to the students. A referred student is someone who has been refered to the writing center by a faculty member. These students will most likely need some serious work on mechanics(grammar) or even proper structure for papers and how to formulate a well developed thesis. The article also discusses the use of technology in the internet age. Tutors must realize and educate themselves on various ways of cummincating via technology. Word processing programs, e-mail, and blogs are examples of the various ways in which the world communicates or uses technology in writing today.