Getting the Most Out of Your Tutoring Session
By Amanda Groves

Figuring out where to start in the revision process can be daunting for any writer, no matter their level of experience. But at EIU, writers have a great resource to help get their papers in shape and ready to turn in. However, to put a tutor’s skills to their greatest use and maximize your tutoring experience, here are a few tips to help you set your own agenda for the session.

For starters, it is always helpful to bring your assignment sheet. Letting your tutor take a peek at your writing prompt will ensure that you’re both on the same page and meeting all the objectives of the assignment. Also, remember that tutors are working without the context of the class and may not have all of the background information you have on the assignment. But having the assignment sheet handy will get them up to speed quickly and will give them the best idea of what your paper should accomplish.

Before you come to the Writing Center, you should also have a general sense of your problem areas and skills you would like to develop. What are you worried about in the paper? What do you want the tutor to look for? Are you just not sure you’ve completed all the objectives? Do you want the tutor to look at organizational issues? Grammar and mechanics? Citation? There are several components of writing a paper and guiding the tutor towards your concerns will help you get the most out of your hour.

If your problems lie in the organization or “flow” of the paper, try to be specific. If you have an idea of where to find your problem areas, tutors will be better equipped to address those areas and move on to more of your concerns. You can also give your tutor a cue for what to look for by asking these questions at the beginning of the session. If your tutor has your concerns in mind before approaching the paper, they will know what to look for from the outset.

Tutors at the Writing Center are also happy to work with you on grammar and citation. However, keep in mind that we do not offer a copyediting service and will not simply comb through your paper to find these errors. If you have a specific problem area, (comma splices, run-ons, fragments, etc.) your tutor will make sure to look for these in your paper, and help you understand how to correct these problems on your own. The same goes for citation. Be sure to tell your tutor which style guide you need to follow for the assignment and about which areas you’re unsure. The Writing Center has literature on many different citation styles and tutors are equipped to help you with your concerns.