Could there be a time when minimalist tutoring does not work? Could a shy or unengaged person benefit from another tutoring method?
A Critique of Pure Tutoring:
Why do you think writing centers avoid directive tutoring? Could one problem be that there are not enough writing tutors with enough experience in particular fields to run a directive tutoring session?
In response to your second question, I believe that writing centers typically avoid directive tutoring as they fear that the problem of plagiarism will occur.Writers may be so enthused over a session that they continue going back to the tutor who helped them the first time. However, if the tutor continues to keep edit their paper, they may become dependent on the tutor. What is key is that the tutor possibly edit/use directive tutoring in the first session to show the writer the process, and then in the following sessions, help the writer utilize this process.
ReplyDeleteBuilding on what Sarah said, I think they also avoid directive tutoring in order to inspire more thought in the writer. By giving the tutor's opinion without discussing the writer's, the writer does not develop as a better writer. By taking a more indirect approach, the writer learns how to figure out for himself/herself how to develop the ideas further to better future compositions.
ReplyDeleteAdding on to what Sarah and Paige said it seems to me that a purely non-directive approach to tutoring would contradict the purpose of writing; to share ideas. It seems to me the best approach would be to mix the directive and non-directive approach
ReplyDeleteIn response to the directive tutoring question, I believe that some of the concerns about all directive tutoring could be the fact that some tutors may not be well versed in the intricacies of all grammar rules and sentence structure perfection. I don't think tutors are meant to and I think that is what helps the writing center with "peer tutoring" become so popular with students. Writers don't want to come and get talked to by a student version of their professor. They are looking for someone with knowledge of writing (usually a little more knowledgeable because of the the course we are taking) and some general grammar rules but more importantly, they are looking for a friend to give some unbiased input about their writing.
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