What can I do in a Tutoring Session?
People use the Writing Center for many different reasons, and at different stages of writing. Whether you are looking for help just getting started or perhaps a more focused part of your writing like APA citations or synthesis, we have you covered!
Below is a list of some of our most frequent areas of focus we see from the people who visit the Writing Center, but it isn't the limit to what you are able to do during your session. The best way to get the most out of your session is to talk with your tutor at the start of your session and explain what you are hoping to accomplish during your time together (maybe using the list below as inspiration to help you get started).
Frequent Areas of Focus for Tutoring Sessions
See the more detailed list further down
Below is a list of some of our most frequent areas of focus we see from the people who visit the Writing Center, but it isn't the limit to what you are able to do during your session. The best way to get the most out of your session is to talk with your tutor at the start of your session and explain what you are hoping to accomplish during your time together (maybe using the list below as inspiration to help you get started).
Frequent Areas of Focus for Tutoring Sessions
See the more detailed list further down
- Annotation & Critical Reading
- APA and Incorporating Sources
- Argument & Synthesis
- Conclusions & Takeaways
- Getting Started: Strategies for Spurring Writing
- Introductions & Thesis
- Paraphrasing & Quote Sandwich
- Portfolio Workshops for First Year Writers
- Strategies for Revision: Paragraphing & Organizing
- Strategies for Self-Revision & Editing
Frequent Areas of Focus for Tutoring Sessions
Annotation & Critical Reading: Need help reading for in-depth comprehension, making connections, identifying key concepts or responding to texts? Tutors can assist you in using strategies for making connections with texts including: agreeing, disagreeing, identifying bias, and reading in layers.
APA and Incorporating Sources: Are you freaking out about APA? Do you feel like you are throwing quotes into your paper without the right context? Our tutors can connect you with the resources you need to understand APA (and other citation styles) as well as how to properly incorporate your quotes and evidence.
Argument and Synthesis: Are you having trouble synthesizing your sources with your own voice? Do you have no idea what synthesis even is? Our tutors can work with you on strategies for improving your synthesis skills, integrating your sources with your own voice, entering the academic conversation, and developing your argument.
Conclusions and your Take Aways: Do your conclusions feel like something you just tack on to the end of your paper? Our tutors can work with you so you can end your paper with a bang!
Getting Started: Strategies for Spurring Writing: Sometimes getting started is the hardest part! Tutors can introduce a variety of strategies to help you get unstuck, including freewriting, the talk-test, graphic organizers, and webbing.
Introductions and Thesis: Do your introductions feel boring or forced? Does your thesis never turn out how you imagine? Are you having a hard time focusing your argument? Our tutors can work with you on developing your introductory paragraphs and crafting a strong thesis.
Paraphrasing & Quote Sandwich: Do you know how to integrate research and ideas from texts/research into your papers? Our tutors can work with you to explore strategies for putting other people’s ideas into your own words or when you should leave them alone and use a quote. Tutors can also review how to introduce and explain quotes so that they fit well into your paper and how to cite quoted and paraphrased material.
Portfolio Sessions for First Year Writers: Need help assembling your final portfolio? Not sure which projects to pick for your portfolio? Need help making deeper revisions, interpreting FYW Core Values, working on your critical engagement, or crafting your reflective statement? Our tutors can work with you on all of these questions!
Strategies for Revision: Paragraphing & Organizing: Do you wish your paper flowed better? Do you have page long paragraphs? Do you need help transitioning from paragraph to paragraph? Our tutors can work with you on a number of topics and strategies, including topic sentences, breaking up and chunking paragraphs, transition sentences and linking-ideas.
Strategies for Self Revision & Editing: Is your message clear? Can you place yourself in the shoes of a reader? Are you delivering the message you intend to deliver? Are you ready for polishing and editing or do you have big picture issues to resolve? Our tutors can help you learn how to make such writerly choices and when to phone a friend.
APA and Incorporating Sources: Are you freaking out about APA? Do you feel like you are throwing quotes into your paper without the right context? Our tutors can connect you with the resources you need to understand APA (and other citation styles) as well as how to properly incorporate your quotes and evidence.
Argument and Synthesis: Are you having trouble synthesizing your sources with your own voice? Do you have no idea what synthesis even is? Our tutors can work with you on strategies for improving your synthesis skills, integrating your sources with your own voice, entering the academic conversation, and developing your argument.
Conclusions and your Take Aways: Do your conclusions feel like something you just tack on to the end of your paper? Our tutors can work with you so you can end your paper with a bang!
Getting Started: Strategies for Spurring Writing: Sometimes getting started is the hardest part! Tutors can introduce a variety of strategies to help you get unstuck, including freewriting, the talk-test, graphic organizers, and webbing.
Introductions and Thesis: Do your introductions feel boring or forced? Does your thesis never turn out how you imagine? Are you having a hard time focusing your argument? Our tutors can work with you on developing your introductory paragraphs and crafting a strong thesis.
Paraphrasing & Quote Sandwich: Do you know how to integrate research and ideas from texts/research into your papers? Our tutors can work with you to explore strategies for putting other people’s ideas into your own words or when you should leave them alone and use a quote. Tutors can also review how to introduce and explain quotes so that they fit well into your paper and how to cite quoted and paraphrased material.
Portfolio Sessions for First Year Writers: Need help assembling your final portfolio? Not sure which projects to pick for your portfolio? Need help making deeper revisions, interpreting FYW Core Values, working on your critical engagement, or crafting your reflective statement? Our tutors can work with you on all of these questions!
Strategies for Revision: Paragraphing & Organizing: Do you wish your paper flowed better? Do you have page long paragraphs? Do you need help transitioning from paragraph to paragraph? Our tutors can work with you on a number of topics and strategies, including topic sentences, breaking up and chunking paragraphs, transition sentences and linking-ideas.
Strategies for Self Revision & Editing: Is your message clear? Can you place yourself in the shoes of a reader? Are you delivering the message you intend to deliver? Are you ready for polishing and editing or do you have big picture issues to resolve? Our tutors can help you learn how to make such writerly choices and when to phone a friend.
