Course-Based Writing Tutors

About Our Program

Course Tutors are part of the course’s educational goals on writing and communication. They work with students one-on-one to offer writing conferencing on writing process, revision, project planning, idea development, etc. The course tutor can also provide in-class workshops related to time management, project planning, revision, research integration, etc. Finally, they can offer insight into course design, assignment structure, and, even, writing assessment models. They are a trained resource with insight, as a student, on course development and sustainability. Typically connected with writing-intensive courses (see list below), we welcome partnerships with courses outside FYS/CW/WRPR programs. 

The embedded course tutor program is one that functions well because of sustained engagement between faculty and tutor(s), which often takes the form of regular check-ins, mentorship meetings, and discussions about learning outcomes around writing. Past tutors have suggested that faculty intentionally include writing tutoring in the course expectations, such as through required visits, workshops, and other options.

Tutors may work up to 60 hours over the course of the semester. Each term, tutors receive at least 12 hours of training in addition to pre-semester onboarding. They are hired, supervised, and paid by CTLR. 

Writing intensive courses that typically partner with our program include the following: 

• First-Year Seminars (FYS) 
• Second-level writing-intensive courses (CW)
• Writing and Rhetoric Program courses (WRPR)

Incorporating a Tutor Into Your Course  

To learn more about including a course-based tutor in your course, watch this 4-minute video created by WRPR212 student researchers and current peer tutors in spring 2022. You can also view a longer discussion video recording of our Winter 2021 roundtable discussion between faculty partners, peer writing tutors, and Dr. Giaimo. 

For guidance on how to successfully partner with the writing center course tutor program, please read this guide co-written by peer writing tutors and Dr. Giaimo.

Requesting a Peer Writing Tutor For Your Course

An announcement is sent to faculty prior to the start of the fall/spring semester (in April/May for fall semester and in December/January for spring semester) to request a tutor. Requests are due in two rounds for the fall: the initial June 16th placement round and a more limited August 16th placement round. Priority will be given to past program partners and new FYS instructors. 

Because of the specialized nature of writing tutoring work, as well as new inclusive and equitable hiring policies, all tutors need to be current employees of the Writing Center/CTLR (we will not assign untrained students to courses). Similarly, because of high demand for writing tutors, tutors will not be automatically assigned to writing courses without faculty request. Tutors are hired through WRPR0212 (offered in spring semesters) and an application process each spring-summer. Learn more about our hiring practices here. 

Program Expectations 

The course tutor program is a partnership between faculty and their tutors. Faculty are expected to meet regularly with their PWT, to share materials like the syllabus and course roster, and to collaboratively develop tasks with the PWT. Peer tutors helped to develop a partnership guide for faculty which can be found under our course tutor faculty resources. Faculty are also welcome to reach out to Dr. Giaimo to discuss specific ways to incorporate a PWT into their course.  

Hiring and Training Tutors

There are two ways that students can become peer writing tutors. 1. Enroll in and successfully complete WRPR212: Issues and Methods in Tutoring Writing (offered every spring semester) and 2. Interview for a position during April/May. Please note that we do not train students during the academic year as there is too little turnaround time and it is impractical to hire “on the fly” when course projections are done a year out. More information on how a student can become a peer writing tutor can be found under “become a peer writing tutor.”

Other Writing Center Support 

We offer other services that are less labor intensive for faculty. So, if an instructor chooses not to include a peer writing tutor in their writing intensive course (which is absolutely OK!), students can seek out writing center services independently. Faculty can also direct students to these sites during the drafting/revision stages of writing. However, we do not have capacity for an entire class to attend these sites with short notice, so please reach out ahead of time so Dr. Giaimo can arrange additional coverage or brainstorm ways to sustainably integrate the Writing Center into the course.

• Online peer tutoring (Synchronous & Asynchronous) by appointment through WCOnline (go/wconline).
• Professional tutoring by appointment through LibCal.
• Drop-in peer tutoring, no appointment required, in CTLR (Davis Library) and Anderson Freeman Center (AFC).
• Self-service resources and links for student writers.
• Group events (Fall Write-In, Mindfulness Writing Challenge, Pandemic Processing Space). 
• Conversation circles—peer led non-academic meet-ups where students engage in cross-cultural exchange in informal English with peer writing tutors. Contact Dr. Giaimo.
• Faculty consultations on course development, writing pedagogy and assessment, and personal writing productivity. Contact Dr. Giaimo. 

Click here to learn more about the Writing Center.

Syllabus Blurb for Instructors 

Feel free to include a copy of this blurb in course syllabi. Written by Constance Laranja Gooding (‘23) and Dr. Giaimo, edited by Mariana Zieve-Cohen (‘23.5). 

Contact

For questions about course tutors, Writing Center programming, or arranging a faculty consultation, please contact Genie Giaimo, Assistant Professor of Writing and Rhetoric and Director of the Writing Center.