Ghandi on the First Take

Writers and Writing

Learning about the purposes of writing centers and the activities of writing center tutor has helped me better understand what it means to develop the writer, not necessarily the writing although improved writing should be manifested when the writer learns more about him/herself as a writer and about the writing process. I’ve pick up some phrases that seem to be resounding in the articles we have been reading and in the chapters we read for today: tutors understand the choices writers make and help them understand the ramifications of their choices; tutors reflect on their choices; tutors identify points of need, adapt to individual students, and employ flexibility; tutors talk about learning, about writing. I’m beginning to see how important initiating talking about all this is. One practice I want to establish in my composition classroom is to initiate meaningful talk about learning, writing, and writers.

First I was Saddam, so I tried again!

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EDWC writing their talk

It strikes me that one of the reasons we as a class seem to have fewer quibbles with the EDWC (other than the fact that, at the end of the semester we are all "quibbled out") is that the writers walk their talk. They keep their process open for us to examine as we read their reflections. They do not limit themselves to WC or composition scholarship but pull in fascinating insights from other disciplines. The overall read is as if we've been invited to sit at the kitchen table with them and talk about the most recent book they shared and the ideas and activities from their WC, rather than just listening to someone explain how wonderful their WCs or ideas are. I've found myself checking the EDWC works cited list many times to note books that sound like ones I want to read. Their process inspires my process, and that's high praise.

Secret public WC journal

I really like the WC journal idea on 85-86 and the insight it provides to consultants as they work through their processes and see others do the same. I wonder if student writers who use the WC can read it too. What might they learn about the WC, about writing, about the consultants, and about their own process?

Everyone Makes Mistakes

It was nice to hear the authors mention that tutors are going to make mistakes in their sessions-- just as everyone does, everyday, in life. Many of our readings place a great deal of responsibility on tutors, and it has always struck me as unfair. It may just be my naive view of tutoring, but the word doesn't "sound" hard, while WC tutors, at some points, seem to be assumed to have a deep understanding of theory that I myself am having trouble grasping, and I'm taking a course.

Obviously, I understand tutoring is more complex and more difficult that it "sounds", but again, it is nice that the authors mention room for error and -gasp- that no one (at all) is perfect.

WC films

I looked for the Plymouth State film talked about on page 83, but didn’t find it. There are, however, several others that are fun and/or interesting (and plenty of sad – as in bad—ones too). Except for the beginning, this film for the WC at the University of Alaska Anchorage is funny…and telling. It’s called “Get Thee to the Writing Center”

“Ink Paper Conversation” from Evergreen State College WC is clips from action in the WC, plus comments from tutors. They’re playing Scrabble! This is a really smart video and my favorite.

“Adventures in Writing” is from the U. of Michigan-Flint WC and uses humor similar to the “Croc Hunter” TV show.

“MADE I want to be a better writer” from Virginia Tech is a take-off on the makeover shows on TV.

Then there’s the WC Choir, a cute example of “fresh activities” EDWC talks about. (Warning, it doesn’t get any better after the first minute, so don’t make yourself watch to the end.)