Writing Center Observation

While observing this tutoring session in the Writing Center, many concepts we have discussed in class were exemplified and represented. For this writer, it was her first time coming to the Writing Center. When it was a few minutes after her session had been scheduled and she was not in the tutoring room, the tutor had to look her up to figure out what she looked like in order to find her. She was actually sitting right outside the room; she was just unsure where to go. The tutor made her feel very comfortable by informally introducing himself after joking around about the situation. She did not seem embarrassed at all. She actually seemed to be less nervous after the tutor joked around with her. To begin the session, the tutor asked the writer questions to set the agenda. He asked her what he could help her with, what the assignment was, and what her general outline of the paper was. The writer seemed unsure about what she wanted to work on because she simply handed him her computer and explained the assignment. She told the tutor she wanted to work on concepts but then asked questions that were separate from concepts. The tutor did a great job adapting to her goals for the session, even though she asked many random questions. The tutor adapted to her goals
I was able to broaden my understanding of the reality of each concept. I was also able to experience the perspectives of the writer and the tutor simultaneously by observing from the outside perspective. Observing the session gave me a broader understanding of how tutoring sessions are conducted in the Writing Center. I noticed how simple some parts of the session can be for the tutor but also how difficult other parts can be. Adapting to each situation is crucial to the success of tutors and writers individually, but also to the success of the Writing Center as a