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 a Winter 2021 roundtable discussion including faculty and tutors.

For guidance on how to successfully partner with the writing center course tutor program, please read this guide.

Requesting a Peer Writing Tutor For Your Course

An announcement is sent to faculty prior to the start of the fall/spring semester (in May for fall semester and in December for spring semester) to request a tutor. Requests will be completed in August for fall term. Priority will be given to past program partners and new FYS instructors. 

All tutors need to be current trained employees of the CTLR Writing Center (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. 

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. 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 

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.

• Individual Peer Tutoring through go/appt (in person and online)
• Professional tutoring by appointment through go/appt
• Drop-in peer tutoring, no appointment required, in the CTLR (Davis Library), Anderson Freeman Center (AFC), and Armstrong in MBH
• Self-service resources and links for student writers
• Group events (Conversation Circles, Fall Write-In, Mindfulness Writing Challenge)
• Faculty consultations on course development, writing pedagogy and assessment, and personal writing productivity

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 Professor Genie Giaimo, edited by Mariana Zieve-Cohen (‘23.5). 

Contact

For questions about course tutors, Writing Center programming, or arranging a faculty consultation, email Melissa Hammerle at mhammerle@middlebury.edu.