EWRT97 Final Project

I) The Role of A Tutor

II) Grade Conscious Tutees

Project made by: Harry Sebastian

Grade Conscious Tutees

Understanding Our Roles

Grade Conscious Tutees

Role of A Tutor

Role of A Tutor

I. Understanding Our Roles

An Ally

An Expert

A Coach

A Commentator

*(some information taken from “The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors” [Fourth Edition] by Ryan and Zimmerelli)

Role of A Tutor

The Ally, Expert, Coach, Commentator

A tutor is NOT responsible for doing the tutee’s work

A tutor is NOT responsible for the tutee’s grades

Role of A tutor

NOT Responsible for Tutee’s Work

A tutor should not work the tutee’s projects or assignments

A tutor should encourage, lead and motivate the tutee but should never give all the answers

Role of A Tutor

NOT Responsible for Grades

A tutor should not assume (judge) a grade for the tutee’s assignment

Grades are strictly between the teacher and the tutee

Grade Conscious Tutees

II. Grade Conscious Tutees

Recognizing Grade Conscious Tutees

Dealing With Grade Conscious Tutees

When Getting Bad Grades

Helping Grade Conscious Tutees

Grade Conscious Tutees

Who are “grade-conscious” tutees?

Grade Conscious Tutees: are students who go to tutoring solely to obtain a better grade in their class; they would often blame their tutors if they did not get a grade that they want

Recognizing “Grade Conscious” Tutees

Grade Conscious Tutees

Grade Conscious Tutees

How to tell?

Stating it clear that they want an A in the class (or a passing grade)

Asking tutors to guess the grade that they will get for a specific assignment

Always complaining about the teacher’s grading style

Dealing with “Grade Conscious” Tutees

Grade Conscious Tutees

Grade Conscious Tutees

When they want an A no matter what:

Clearly state your position; a tutor is there to help the individual, not to guarantee their grades

State that getting an A depends on the individual themselves, make sure the tutee know you cannot make solid promises

“Despite what desperate students tell us, we know that getting an “A” on a term paper, or mastering subject/verb agreement, is not a life-or-death situation. Despite what cynical instructors tell us, we know that student writing is not a condition, a disease to be cured.”

- Jay Jacoby “The Use of Force”

Grade Conscious Tutees

Grade Conscious Tutees When they ask tutor to predict grade:

Try to avoid giving straight judgment (like saying that it’s an “A”, or it’s going to be “95%”), instead tell whether you think the paper is solid or need more work

Give honest opinions but make sure that whatever comments you’re giving are not absolute

There are a set of rules, according to Gillespie and Lerner, on what a tutor should and shouldn’t do. One of the things a tutor should do is “improving the student as a writer, with less of an emphasis on the writing” (Gillespie, Lerner 40). With this mindset, a tutor should primarily concern themselves in helping the individual rather than encouraging any grade-oriented goals

Grade Conscious Tutee

Grade Conscious Tutees When they complain about teacher’s grading

style:

Don’t agree with them completely, make an argument for the teacher (in a fashion that is not hostile)

Question the tutee about the teacher’s grading style and use it to focus on what to do for the next assignment

An example from St. Martin’s Sourcebook for Writing Tutors states:

When confronted with a student who got a “D” on his/her English paper, and their instructor asks them to go to the tutoring center, assert caution when making judgments about the teacher. Continue to help the student to achieve a better grade while faithfully following the instructor’s note.

Grade Conscious Tutee

When Getting Bad Grades

Grade Conscious Tutees

Grade Conscious Tutees

What to do when the tutee, furious, comes with a bad grade?

The most important thing is to STAY CALM and hold your position

Calmly tell the tutee that you’ve told them that it was not your responsibility to guarantee their grades

Try to calm the tutee down, telling them that sit down and talk about this in a more “sober fashion”

Helping Grade Conscious Tutees

Grade Conscious Tutees

Grade Conscious Tutees How to help grade conscious tutees?

Go over the syllabus and concentrate on the teacher’s emphasis

Set schedules, and guidelines so that the work submitted will be in its maximum potential (no procrastination)

If the student still get bad grades, maybe suggest the student to attend the teacher’s office hour and directly question the teacher (politely)

Remember that grades are strictly between the tutee and their instructors; a tutor should not make the project of their tutees and should not be responsible for the grades of their tutees

Grade Conscious Student

Disclaimer: I do not own the pictures and the styles of presentation in this project.

Grade Conscious Tutees