Tutoring Do's and Dont's

When engaging in a tutoring session.....

Do's:
1) Look the part; Be approachable, Be alert and relaxed, Sit right, Look attentive, Speak in a tone that is both friendly and professional, Show interest (Not too much or the student might confuse it with impatience)
2) Focus on the HOC's (Higher order concerns); Clarity of thesis or focus, adequate development and information, effective structure or organization, and appropriate voice or tone.
3) Make sure you are in an appropriate environment; Sit next to the writer or be in a position where both of you can see the draft, Be in a space that is ample, comfortable, well lighted and cheery. Be well stocked with writing tools such as computers, printers, software, pens, paper, and reference books.
3) Ask professional questions; questions that help the writer draw out and brainstorm ideas that will be important in writing, and/or correcting their paper.

Dont's:
1)Avoid over-correcting errors;  Do not nitpick or worry about LOC's (Low Order Concerns) including sentence structure and variety, punctuation, grammar, and usage, and spelling.
2) Avoid gestures and actions that the writer might read as inattention, boredom, or displeasure; this includes folded arms, looking past the writer at other people or events, taking a phone call, looking at a clock or watch, yawning, fidgeting, doodling, drumming fingers, and tapping a pen.
3) Do not allow food in the room which you are occupying. Either from you or the student.
4) Do not turn the session into a therapy session. A tutor is not to involve themselves with matters that are not relating to the essay.
5) Respect the writer's ideas and words. Do not try and take over the paper. A tutor;s job is to help the writer feel welcomed and to explore their own ideas and their own ways to express themselves.
6) Do not try to play the expert. A tutor is allowed to make mistakes or ask someone else for advice if they are not sure what to do.