09/09

Exigence is defined as, like we discussed in class, an imperfection marked by urgency. I find that this word in particular will help me enhance my skills as a tutor because of the rooted understanding of a piece of writings purpose that comes from being aware of it. I wouldn’t use a word like exigence, but my own knowledge of it, and the rhetorical situation itself, will be extremely helpful in communicating the start to end process of writing.

Audience, the mediators of change, is another word that will end up helping me communicate well with tutees. This being due to its approachability, a common word like audience is not daunting on someone seeking help with reading. They figure ‘Oh, audience, I can process that’ but there is also a lot more that audience can do for them to help guide the entirety of their papers. This ties well in with my third choice, constraints, once they have a good grasp on what or who their audience is they will recognize on their own the constraints that this will put on their paper. This understanding of a constraint, a restriction or limitation, will help both myself and the reader establish what’s important and what needs to be taken away from their work. I think these two together will be a good guiding point in writing that the tutee can take with them into their future with self-editing.

Grammar, the systematic structure of our language, is a word that will help for peculiar reasons. I will employ the use of ‘grammar’ to help communicate what not to focus or stress about; I will use it to help the tutees- by steering them away from it. The word can be daunting, and I think if I am able to effectively diminish that freight that comes with writing because of words like grammar, then I think the overall experience with the tutee will be a lot more comfortable.

Acquisition is a process of learning that involves trial and error, as opposed to formal teaching. I intend on shaping my tutoring process around this and gearing it towards helping them pick-up on tips here and there through acquisition, because it will more likely carry on in their writing as opposed to formal rules and instructions.