Writing Peer Tutor Program

Posting the below message on behalf of Meridith Lovell-Johnston:


Dear Teacher Candidates,

Dr. Helyar has asked me to coordinate a peer tutoring program for writing in the winter term. The purpose of the peer tutoring program is to help those who would like some one-on-one help with their writing.

Peer Tutors would read a draft of your work and provide suggestions for improving presentation of ideas and/or grammar and conventions. Peer tutors are not to edit or revise others' written work; rather, they will highlight problematic areas within the draft and talk through them with you in a problem-solving manner. Also, Peer Tutors are not to provide feedback for papers in classes where they are also enrolled (for ethical reasons). They will provide feedback on written drafts; they will not provide ideas for the content of these papers.

If you are interested in booking time with one of our peer tutors:

1. Click the calendar link (bit.ly/FoEWritingTutor) and select an appointment time that works with your class schedule. Note that all appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Peer tutors may decline appointments that are not made in advance.
2. Contact the peer tutor and arrange to share an in-progress draft of your writing (hard copy or shared on google drive is preferred). The draft must be shared prior to 24 hours before your appointment to allow the tutor enough time to read through and consider your work before the appointment. If the draft is more than 3-4 pages in length, select an excerpt to work on with the tutor.
3. The Peer Tutor will read the paper (or a portion thereof, if that is what is asked) and highlight problematic areas (such as places where writing is unclear, where elaboration is needed, or places where conventions are misused). You may also make a request such as, "Could we focus on strategies for elaborating ideas?" Draft work will be kept confidential, and all drafts will be returned or, if using Google Docs, you should revoke sharing privileges after the meeting (this is why email is not preferred).
4. You will meet with the peer tutor in the learning commons or other agreed-upon space to work through the highlighted areas, discussing possible strategies or solutions. Each Peer Tutor will keep a log of appointments that you will be asked to sign during your meeting (for confirmation and tracking purposes).

Please note that peer tutors will not copy edit or perform any revisions on your draft itself. The purpose of the 20 minute appointments is to give suggestions and/or work through problematic areas in your writing.

Disclaimer: Peer Writing Tutors are volunteers whose intention is to assist teacher candidates with their writing. Working with a Peer Writing Tutor is not a substitute for doing one's own work and there is no guarantee of any particular grade or improvement in grades.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at mlovell@lakeheadu.ca.