Strategies for Effective Online

Writing Consultations

Why Online Writing Centers?

Advances in technology Electronic communication

Does not confine a writing center to its physical boundaries

No hassle of scheduling appointments Provide assistance to more students

Distance education Online students Satellite campuses Education centers Dual credit students

How Do They Work?

Synchronous• Happens live• Immediate

interaction• Chat

Asynchronous• Time displaced• Reaction• Email, drop

boxes

How Does Ours Work? Asynchronous By email

Only for certain students:high school dual-credit studentsonline studentsstudents at satellite campuses

How Does Ours Work? (cont.)

Student submits a writing project

The writing consultant has two business days to respond

Writing consultant makes suggestions with Track Changes and Comments features in Microsoft Word

Writing consultant sends personal email response to the student

How Are Online Writing Consultations Different?

Breuch and Racine noted that “the training used in face-to-face centers does not translate easily to online writing centers…e-mail interactions require new strategies” (p. 246).

How Are Online Writing Consultations Different?

(cont.) Face-to-face sessions rely

on conversation, interaction, feedback

This doesn’t happen online Communication breaks down

StrategiesThese Still Apply:

Be friendlyBe professionalExplain reasoning for suggestions

HOCS before LOCSAvoid editing

Strategies (cont.) Develop a

strong awareness of your own toneAvoid sarcasmAvoid ironySay things in a positive way

Example“If you can avoid the use of you and use a noun like people or researchers instead, you will come across as more professional here”

as opposed to “Don’t use you

or your in an academic paper”

Strategies (cont.)

Being clear is essential• Develop an awareness of your own

writing

“I’m not sure the verb view is conveying the meaning you are intending. Do you mean that Americans think about the extreme effects that science could have? If so, maybe a phrase like think about, worry about, or worry might be more appropriate.”

as opposed to“awk,” “frag,” or “what?”

Example

Strategies (cont.)Make the client aware of your tutoring process• Explain yourself well

One = one person, singularAn individual= one person, singularHe or she= one person, singularHis or her= something that belongs tone person, singular Individuals= many individuals, pluralThey= many people, pluralTheir= something that belongs to many people, plural

Always use pronouns that match in number to what they refer back to. You can either change the pronoun (he/she/his/her/they/their) or change the noun it refers back to make it match, but whatever you decide to change they must match in number.

I will highlight further instances of this so that you can see them and correct them on your own.

Example

Notice the last sentence. This explains the highlighting and signals that the client will need to take responsibility for making corrections.

Example