Hybridity

As a writing tutor and former English major,  I (like many others) have become familiar with the writing process and terminology. Yet, it is easy to forget that the students who visit our centers most often are not as familiar with the terms we throw around. Therefore, something as seemingly simple as “run on” can catch a student off guard; they may not recognize the terminology we regularly employ or understand how to respond. Recently, I had a student tell me that she knew she had “run ons” within her essay, but she had no idea what they were or what to do about it. This reminded me of how important it is that we meet students at their level, whatever that may be.  I think this is perhaps what Muriel Harriss was referencing when stating that “a tutor is a hybrid, stuck somewhere between a peer and a teacher, who cannot lean too much one way or the other” (380). I do not believe Harris is discouraging the acquisition of knowledge, but rather reminding tutors that knowledge can distance us from our tutees if we allow it. For me, her words reinforce the importance of engaging students in an active dialogue; my role is to encourage students to articulate their needs (if at all possible) and to actively explain ideas using words that do not intimidate but promote understanding.

Nanette--West writing tutor