Develops a comparison between writing tutors and prostitutes. Suggests that the intimate arrangement of people that places one in the position of professional and the other in the position of client works against collaboration. (NH)

Raises the complementary issues of faculty/tutor collaboration and tutor-writing confidentiality at writing centers by relating a serious dilemma involving a student's blatant attempt at plagiarism of an online text. Raises concerns regarding conflicting roles of the writing center in upholding itself as a safe place for students and/or as a place…

Writing centers have been working diligently to create a centripetal space to draw as many faculty and students into its collaborative learning process as possible. The degree to which writing centers have succeeded in this mission should now lead beyond the sanctum of the centers and even beyond the validated space of satellite centers. The…

A paper describes a project in which a writing center created a Web site using digital video (DV) along with essay texts, scenario notes, and a Web-based response exercise, in order to better prepare writing tutor apprentices for a range of ethical and pedagogical dilemmas which might occur. The paper begins by discussing reasons for the project…

Discusses concerns surrounding the future of writing centers. Claims that although most institutions have writing centers, they are generally underfunded, the staff is comprised of underpaid student workers, and the centers are not institutionally viable. (NH)

Describes an adventure-based initial tutor training program designed to promote effective teamwork and enhance organizational ability. Notes that an added advantage of the outdoor activity is that it renews the importance of principles that have always made writing centers effective by metaphorically echoing the mental challenges of writing…

Considers the evolution of writing-tutor pedagogies, from the job-specific training of tutorial-centered "practical" manuals to the professionalizing approach that establishes awareness of the specialized discourse of writing-center scholarship. Suggests that the latter approach also writes tutors into the field's most painful and…

Lists scholarly works published during the past year that would be of particular interest to those who administer, work in, or make use of writing centers. Includes only works directly connected to writing center theory and practice. (HTH)

Takes a "critical" look at the relationship between Writing across the Curriculum and the Writing Center at Dickinson College, which is typical of many institutions. Explains how Writing across the Curriculum principles have prompted the Writing Center to rethink its role and to examine its tutoring practices. (TB)

Common notions about what college writing centers are and do are examined so that faculty and students may understand how to make the best use of them. Issues discussed include their organizational status and role, audience, and specific functions and activities. The structure and objectives of tutoring sessions is briefly addressed. (MSE)

Argues that it is possible and desirable for writing tutors, acting out their role in classroom tutoring programs rather than in writing center programs, to play the dual role of teacher and tutor. Maintains that classroom tutoring projects have the potential to help educators practice the art of translating different philosophies, practices, and…

Provides examples of four Daedalus Interchange transcripts from writing center staff meetings at Ball State University. Discusses goals for tutor training and rationale and benefits for choosing synchronous conferencing as a tutor-training technique. Presents survey results from tutors who participated in online tutor training, suggesting a…

Examines some of the difficulties in peer tutoring and points out the dilemma of whether to emphasize the tutor component (apprentice model) or the peer component (colearner model). Offers a solution that incorporates elements from both stages, one that treats tutors developmentally. (NKA)

Describes generic problem-solving model constructed by D. Koberg and J. Bagnall that can be used by writing center tutors and that progresses as follows: (1) accept situation, (2) analyze, (3) define, (4) ideate, (5) select, (6) implement, (7) evaluate. Provides tutors with coherent framework and with way of breaking larger framework down into…

One advantage of writing center tutorial groups over individual tutoring is that in groups students have the opportunity to become readers of others' writing and to provide feedback to their peers. In such groups, it is assumed that the tutor as facilitator serves as an interactional and linguistic model for students. To test this hypothesis, over…