By Julianne Fullerton | Reporter
Students of all majors who are interested in working for Baylor’s University Writing Center can take a Tutoring Writing course to gain practical hands-on experience and a better understanding of methodologies of writing and tutoring.
Dr. Lauren Short, assistant director of the Writing Center and lecturer in professional writing and rhetoric, currently teaches the Tutoring Writing course, which is offered once a year.
Short said the course prepares students for any future endeavor, whether that be in the Writing Center or in another workplace. She said she believes the course exposes students to everything from theories of learning to how to correctly respond to writing in different genres.
“Students get a lot of hands-on practice by going into the Writing Center, doing observations, practicing tutoring with a tutor present, and then they have the option of being able to tutor on their own,” Short said. “It’s definitely practical if you are entering an industry or going into a career where you see yourself commenting on writing or being able to provide feedback in that way.”
Denton senior Rachel Brown, an undergraduate consultant for the Writing Center, said she appreciated the opportunity for hands-on experience when she took the course.
“We had opportunities to be paired mentor and mentee with consultants already working in the Writing Center and were able to observe their sessions, take notes of their techniques and get their advice,” Brown said. “We were nicely eased into it to grow in our knowledge of what was happening and how to do it all.”
Short said there is a common misconception that the course is offered only to English majors. However, anyone is welcome and encouraged to take the course.
“We love when people come from disciplines outside of the humanities because it gives our center this wide breadth of knowledge,” Short said. “I think that’s part of what makes the ecosystem of the Writing Center so unique — when we have a lot of different majors that are serving the university.”
Brown said she took the course to learn more about the Writing Center because of her interest in publishing and editorial work. After learning different theories and techniques, Brown said one philosophy of writing stuck out to her in particular.
“The goal, ultimately, is to help the writer be able to be a better writer, but then to be able to equip them to continue those practices and grow as a writer beyond the given assignment,” Brown said. “That’s one philosophy I hold onto and try to keep in mind with every appointment I have.”
Short said the purpose of the Writing Center is to provide another set of eyes for whatever students are working on to enhance their writing, no matter what level or stage they are at.
“We are a service for students to have a conversation about their writing to allow them to process and think about their writing to understand why they’re making the choices that they make,” Short said. “We show students that no matter what stage of the process they’re in, that sharing your writing with another reader is helpful.”
Brown said working at the Writing Center has given her perspectives that help her in other aspects of her life, such as learning the importance of adapting to whoever she is working with.
“The Writing Center opens up some neat opportunities to learn how to explain things well and learn how to adapt to the person I’m with and learn how to meet them where they’re at,” Brown said. “It’s important to be able to help them with what they’re looking for and not just what I think is important and needs to be helped.”
Brown said she wishes more Baylor students knew the Writing Center is a free resource on campus, and she encouraged them to pay attention to consultant profiles when making an appointment.
“You can look at the consultant profiles and see whether they share a common interest or a common discipline,” Brown said. “We’re all equally able to help, but some may be able to help in different ways than others because we have different familiarity with the content.”
In the midst of busy writing seasons, Brown said it’s important for students to be proactive when making an appointment.
“If they want an appointment, make it early,” Brown said. “It’s better to cancel when you realize you don’t need it than when it’s midterms or finals season and you really want an appointment and there are zero openings.”
For more information about Baylor’s University Writing Center or to book an appointment, visit baylor.mywconline.com.
