Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2017

Abstract

Writing center tutoring sessions are built on questions. Questions help tutors gain information needed to help students. This may include details about the student’s classes, professors, assignments and struggles. Questions can also engage the student and make them an equal partner in the session. However, just because questions are being asked does not mean the student is getting the help they need. The types of questions asked directly influence the quality of the tutoring visit. Questions need to be genuine, which means they come from the tutor’s desire to truly understand the student and where the student’s ideas come from. Additionally, genuine questions do not have a right or wrong answer, either factually or socially. When tutors ask students genuine questions, a real conversation is created between the two. Real conversation gives students more control of the discussion, creates an atmosphere of mutual peer discovery, and allows students to see the value of their ideas.

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