H1070 "Internship in the Writing Lab"

H1070, “Internship in the Writing Lab,” is an Honors Writing Intensive (WI) class which addresses both the theory and practice of tutoring and the foundations of good writing. Therefore, in addition to theoretical frames for what writing tutors do, it focuses on hands-on craft and practical experience working with other writers. At its heart is a shared set of assumptions about tutoring writing:

  • In order to help someone else competently, a tutor needs to have an expert command of the craft of writing herself. This is not something we assume, or a simple prerequisite: we make it part of the course to sharpen each student's command of the craft of language.
  • A tutor needs to know something not only about the practical application of rhetoric and composition theory, but also about the subtleties of verbal and nonverbal communication (we bring some perspectives from theater to bear in this area).
  • Hands-on experience from both sides of the desk is a crucial part of the process of learning to work with other writers.
  • Online tutoring is a valuable part of the skill set with both advantages and disadvantages over traditional face-to-face scenarios, and it makes considerable demands on the tutor's craft as a writer and as a reader of both prose and people.

This course also prepares students to work as writing tutors, and, in fact, doing well in it qualifies them for a part-time job working as Writing Lab/Online Writery tutors in future semesters. Prerequisite: Engl 1000. A/F.

The Learning Center
100 Student Success Center
909 Lowry Mall
Columbia, MO 65211-6310
phone: 573-882-2493
fax: 573-884-5579
email: learningcenter@missouri.edu
hours: M - F: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
web: learningcenter.missouri.edu