Our consultants continue to share their favorite aspects of the Writing Center to celebrate International Writing Centers Week. Today Anthony Gross, Rhea Crone and Lindsey Gilbert exemplify the reciprocal nature of writing tutoring. The consultant learns and grows alongside the writer.
Rhea
“I suppose my favorite part about working in the Writing Center is being given the opportunity to set aside my own academic stressors and focus my attention on all the different kinds of papers and people that come through our big glass door. It’s pretty rare to be given the chance to so fully engage with dozens of diverse, disparate topics, or the time to understand new and evolving sets of writerly concerns. I also appreciate the insights into my own work that I’ve gained, simply by having candid, open discussions with all the writers I get to consult with during any given week.”
Rhea discusses “academic voice.”
Anthony
“I’d say my favorite part of working at the Writing Center is helping writers understand something they didn’t grasp before, whether it’s how to use a comma, how to write a thesis statement, or how to be sensitive to particular audiences. Likewise, writers are constantly helping me understand things I’d never considered before.”
Anthony’s advice for making significant, but difficult, revisions
Lindsey
“Being able to connect with writers who regularly make appointments with me and seeing their growth throughout the year are by far my favorite parts of working in the Writing Center. Both the writer and I become more comfortable with each other, allowing for our conversations to develop from talking about the weather to ‘How did your friend like your gift?’ or other details that I’ve learned since our first appointment together. I find myself and the writer more at ease in these situations, allowing for personal growth and creative expression to occur during each appointment. These appointments bring me much joy, and I often find myself looking forward to them more each week.”
Lindsey weighs in on those “fierce” English 101 papers.
Lindsey meets with a writer.
University of Louisville Writing Center 