Intuition

Again and again Nelson comes back to the idea of "intuition" aiding in the work of the WTC. I noticed this especially in her discussions of Dianna's work with Carmen. Her intuition told her how to help this student progress before the theory in the book was created. I know we have already talked a great deal about how this may simply be a method of making all her data "fit" the theories she created by looking at them. I don't want to belabor that point again.

What I am more interested in is this idea of how intuition works in the writing center. In my reading of Nelson, she attributes much, maybe most, of what tutors do as being intuitive. This seems to be why reflection is needed: to understand what happens "naturally." I agree that some of the work done in the WC is intuitive. You sometimes have to read students quite intuitively to understand what they are not saying or asking for. But I have a problem thinking the balance of the work is intuitive. That seems to negate the training and expertise that tutors develop.

What do we think the role of intuition is in most WC situations?