Writing center tutors know that improving writing skills requires sustained effort over a long period of time. They also know that motivation--the drive to actively invest in sustained effort toward a goal--is essential for writing improvement. Because motivation can direct attention toward particular tasks and increase both effort and…

Argues that writing centers have the essential function of critiquing institutions and creating knowledge about writing. Explains how this function has clear implications for what tutors should know and how they should be trained. Enlists Antonio Gramsci's theory of culture to analyze traditional composition teaching and research. (HB)

Describes how graffiti is a useful analogy providing a fresh source of power for reimagining the function and purpose of writing centers. Explains the necessity of defining writing centers as a subculture. Identifies a distinct writing center discursive style that mediates between official classroom pedagogy and unofficial writing center praxis.…

Discusses the problems presented to writing center tutors by traditional research paper assignments. Recounts typical definitions of student research papers according to current-traditional rhetoric. Advocates writing centers helping students transform research papers into meaning-making activities in which students construct knowledge. (HB)

Considers how personality type theory might help account for the behaviors of writing center tutors. Highlights how personality preferences influence tutoring styles. Argues that including a study of personality type theory in tutor training can help tutors become aware of their preferred tutoring styles and the effects of those styles on the…

Considers the ways writing center personnel have conceptualized teaching and tutoring. Critiques concepts of continuum and dichotomy linking teaching and tutoring. Suggests creating an image of dialectical process. Offers specific examples of the application of such language to a consideration of teaching and tutoring. (HB)

Considers the ramifications of the terms "consultant" and "tutor" as applied to writing center personnel. Outlines the benefits of embracing the use of the term consultant as more accurate of what is actually done in writing centers. (HB)

Provides a critique of two recent monographs related to the general issues of writing centers: "Writing Centers in Context: Twelve Case Studies," edited by Joyce A. Kinkead and Jeanette Harris, and "Dynamics of the Writing Conference: Social and Cognitive Interaction," edited by Thomas Flynn and Mary King. (HB)

Argues that any writer writes with and against a cacophony of competing voices, thus collaborating with the Otherness of their own words. Studies one student's attempt to write on an issue about which she held multiple views. Considers how the writing center might aid in providing critical distance within such a model. (HB)

Describes a duality pitting the writing center against the classroom. Considers the relationship between these two spaces. Argues that the writing center can provide an alternative to the authority of teachers and classrooms. Suggests strategies for minimizing tension between classroom and writing center. (HB)

Discusses the role of talk in the writing center and the general value of conversation for writers at all levels. Considers how writing center talk raises questions about writing and institutions. Shows how such a concept of talk connects to classroom teaching. (HB)

Critiques Robert Kaplan's version of contrastive rhetoric as delineated in his 1966 diagram of five cultural traditions. Shows how subsequent contrastive rhetorical studies have eliminated many of the flaws of Kaplan's research. Provides results from a writing center pilot study that demonstrate differences in students' native language writing…

Considers the importance of having writing center tutors with specific knowledge of disciplines. Examines videotapes of tutors with students in specialized fields such as engineering and business. Concludes that the "ignorant" or generalist tutor sometimes has limitations as a writing tutor. (HB)

Critiques a recent book by Madeleine R. Grumet called "Bitter Milk: Women and Teaching." Shows how Grumet's thesis is useful for writing center workers, insofar as both claim that knowledge evolves in the context of human relationships. (HB)

Provides a comprehensive bibliography of recent articles and monographs related to the general issues of writing centers. (HB)