Session as Client #2
In my second session as a client I went to the library to have my cover letter for a job application worked shopped. I had already had some feedback from a couple classmates in my WRA 202 class, so this session was really just to look at final touches. The first thing that my client did was ask me about the job and what they were looking for. So I should them my job add and then they had a better idea what the job was like so they could give better feedback. Then they asked me to read my letter outland. After reading it out loud I caught a few mistakes and changed them. We also talked about word choice a lot. Even though I consider my a pretty good writer, I talking about voice and tone in this setting was really helpful. My consultant pointed out that in some places that my the language I was using was coming off a little to flippantly. As a result I changed some of the language so that I sounded a little bit more professional. I guess it worked out cause I ended up getting the internship. Go me and go Writing Center!!!!
My Thoughts a.k.a. Blog #6
Scrolling through the blogs to find which posts I have and haven't done, I saw a lot about ESL students. When I think about my experiences with ESL students I generally think grammar. Now there are other things I think about but I will save those for another blog post considering I have about a thousand left. Now for some people grammar isn't that big of an issue. I think I would fall under that category a little bit. I say a little bit because I think I can use grammar pretty well, but I have no idea what the names or the titles of these rules and regulations are. I probably would have a little difficulty finding them in a book as well. Now, considering that we deal with grammar issues in the writing center a ton, whether we like it or not, perhaps we should have small training session about grammar. What that would look like, Im not sure. It could be just one day, instead of talking about reading, we would take a large look at all the grammar books, as well as do some really basic grammar training. Now some people might think of that as a drag... but it couldn't hurt? Could it?
Critiquing Myself a.k.a. Blog Post #7
When dealing with certain issues within the WC, I sometimes find myself doing far to much writing. I usually figure this out when the client has disregarded their copy of the paper, they have no pen in their hand, and talking very little. What to do, what to do. After finding myself in this place several times unintentionally, things needed to change. As much as I totally disagree with a completely hands out approach, I needed to try it. So for a couple of sessions there were no pens. I found myself asking far more leading questions and getting the client far more engaged. I made these strategies part of my normal attack plan, and as a result it was easier for me to help client. I slowly was able to use my pen for good and not evil, by drawing diagrams or example sentences. I wrote comments on papers to clarify points of confusion, which I think helped. I think for me personally, in the beginning and still, its hard to not want to correct things myself. It's in my nature to fix some things, so in order to be a more effective consultant I had to change some of those habits.
Critiquing Myself Critiquing Myself... a.k.a. Blog Post #8
Remember way back when, when I was talking about how a hands off a more hands off approach worked better? Of course you do it was like 4 lines above this one. Well I think there might be an exception... maybe not, IDK, try and help me out. So the in the case of ESL students, there is often a communication barrier. So asking questions and hearing their responses so sometimes really hard. So how do we as consultants get around this problem. I mean its hard enough trying to convey some pretty complex ideas about writing to people without the addition of a communication problem. This is the time when I as a consultant feel the most frustrated. One I feel like they don't understand what I am trying to say to them. Two, I don't know what they are saying. So how can I feel confident in what I am trying to do? I often revert to trying to write things down. This usually leads to me correcting things on the paper than asking if thats what they mean. They of then often just sit there and nod there head. Then at the end of the session I feel like I did a bad job. I also feel that if I take the time to write the questions out, then they do the same, the session isn't going to accomplish much, in the already sort time that we have. Suggestions?
Primary Consultant #3... I think, I went back and I am pretty sure its 3. So Im gonna go with 3.
Well, to be honest I have know I have done more than 3 sessions at this point, I have probably done close to 75. To be even more honest they tend to bleed into others, and the only ones that usually stand out are pretty awful. So here is one of my least favorite sessions of all time. The ungreatest hit #1.
It was a dark and stormy night at the MSU library. John Lauckner was receptionist at the Writing Center. He was making sure that things were running smoothly, doing his best when it happened. The worst session ever. (PS... im gonna stop with the third person stuff now)
So as the receptionist I often take walk in appointments. When I do this people are generally pretty grateful, because they realize that it is a favor, sort of. Anyways when this person came in I went through the whole deal about how its online appointments and we don't do walk ins anymore and then I say but I can help you for a little bit. So the firs thing this person asks is what is my major. I respond with Professional Writing w/ a emphasis in digital and technical writing. They ask if I am a good writer. I say I would like to think so. They then ask if anyone else is available. I say... you didn't make an appointment, so no. Then throughout the course of the appointment she makes very little sense, I try and ask the write questions. When I keep asking questions, they take it as a sign of incompetence. They keep rolling their eyes at me. I admit I lose patience at this point. They then said they could write better than me in their own language. Im gonna assume that statement got lost in translation, and wasn't as rude as it sounded. By this point a co-worker saved me and took over, and had just about as much success as me. This was by far a horrible experience, but it did test my professionalism and other stuff, but mostly it was just awful.
A Fellows Program/ Mentor Program a.k.a. Blog Post #9
I did my second reading response on the idea of a fellows program. After reading a few articles on it, I feel that it in theory sounds like a great program. The reasons that I like it so much is because everyone has to do it. What that does is allow people that normally wouldn't come into the WC to see what is all about. This would allow "good" writers to see that the WC is just not a place for bad writers to come and vice visa. I really like that. By getting a larger and more diverse sample of students into the WC then more people can understand what the WC's goal and operation is like. This is why I am pretty excited about trying this next semester with PKG 485. It will be very interesting to see all the different kinds of writers. It will also be cool to see if they actually get better. By seeing the same students writing more than once we can see if a change really does occur. It should be a fun interesting experience.
To Be Continued Team...
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