WR 220: Methods of Tutoring

Study Guide #2: Who Comes to the Writing Center?  A Diverse Student Body

Readings:

Clark, Chapter 2, “Who Comes to the Writing Center?  A Diverse Student Body"

Please be thorough and reflective in your responses below.  Show your thinking.

1) Diversity across the Disciplines: 

After reading pp. 29-34 that describe the varying writing expectations in different disciplines, describe any difficulties you have had writing in a discipline outside your major or minor.  What made this experience of shifting to the expectations of a different academic discipline challenging?

2) Diversity across Cultures:

After reading pp. 35-38 that describe the complexity of culture, from surface to deep culture, respond this prompt:

Consider your own experiences with a culture or group different from your own.  Describe a specific experience that made you aware of difference, then reflect on that experience. What insight into difference did you gain?

To help you here, think about when you have been in what some researchers call "contact zones"--the places where two different groups or individuals clash because of a variety of diversity issues:  race, gender, class, ethnicity, ability. Describe and then reflect on what that experience might teach you about working with diverse students in a tutoring situation.

3) On page 42 Clark provides an excerpt from a famous essay by Peggy McIntosh, "White Privilege:  Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack."  She helps her readers realize that those who are white often experience privileges that those who are not white might not experience. 

Review the bulleted list on pp. 42-3.  Now consider some I have added that have to do not just with race, but also with economic class and ability.  Think back to your high school  and early college years.  Give yourself a point for each one that is a "true."  Then add up your score.

1) My parents were college graduates, so they were able to help me

understand how to succeed as a student.

2) My parents help/helped me with my homework.

3) My parents read to me when I was growing up and there were many books in our home.

4) My parents spoke fluent Standard English in the home.

5) My parents sent me to camps (sports and/or academic) when I was in school.

6) My parents could afford tutors when I was struggling.

7) My parents paid for me to take an SAT preparation course or similar prep course, or at least bought be prep materails.

8) My parents helped me with my application letter to college.

9) My parents are helping me pay for college.

10)I can be a full-time student and don't have to work.

11) I can afford my school textbooks and supplies.

12)  When I was struggling, my high school provided me extra help and support.

What is your score?  Now think back to your high school and early college years.  To what extent do you think the above issues, which have to do with race, economic class, and ability, affected your performance? Also, what privileges would you add to the list that might have affected school performance?