The mindful tutor : rhetorical listening in writing center work

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Joshua Tyler Anderson (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Marsha Baker

Abstract: This work explores the role rhetorical listening plays in writing center praxis. Currentscholarship on listening in writing center pedagogy has yet to examine this essentialtutoring practice. The author argues that Krista Ratcliffe’s rhetorical listening offers thetheoretical framework that will allow writing centers to fulfill their pedagogical goal ofempowering students. Exploring examples from his own tutoring experiences andpublished tutoring narratives, the author shows how Ratcliffe’s rhetorical listeningexpands tutoring praxis to better meet the needs of tutees. Rhetorical listening movestutors into a sense of awareness concerning the complex experiences each tutee bringsinto a session. Recognizing this complexity, tutors work from a perspective that focuseson student need rather than institutional concern.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2016
Keywords
Krista Ratcliffe, Listening, Rhetorical Listening, Tutoring, Writing Center
Subjects
Listening -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States
English language -- Rhetoric -- Study and teaching -- United States
Report writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States
Tutors and tutoring -- United States
Writing centers -- United States
Teacher-student relationships

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