Tutoring Do Not’s

Do not give false praise.

Do not sugarcoat the truth.

Do usurp ownership from the writer by inserting your own ideas or voice. 

Do not act as the tutee’s therapist. Stick to the subject of interaction, which should be writing. 

Do not act as an authority to your tutee.

Do not take or check your phone, fidget, yawn, doodle, drum fingers, fold arms, or check a clock. Don’t look bored.

Do not act like an expert.

Do not engage the tutee in work that is not current.

Do not use the editor-journalist model.

Do not focus on a lower order of concerns.

Do not simply find fault. 

Tutoring Do’s

Treat the writer as an expert in his or her own writing because they are, for they know the subject matter better than the tutor does. 

Give honest feedback.

Focus on higher order of concerns, rather than a lower order of concerns.

Encourage the tutee to expand on undeveloped themes in their paper by asking open ended questions. 

Be aware of proper body language when tutoring such as having an alert, yet relaxed posture. Also establishing healthy eye contact and having a friendly, approachable, and professional tone.

Know the distinction between genuine and false praise. 

Show special attention and interest by nodding and using vocalizations such as, “yeah” to reinforce the nod. 

Open feedback with something positive.