At the start of the consultation, I always ask the client about the assignment and the reason that he/she has come to the Writing Center. Most clients usually have a pretty good idea of their personal problem areas—confusion about citing sources is a popular choice, but others include organization, grammar and transitions. Sometimes, clients are just at a loss. And that’s OK! In those cases, I skim the first few pages of the paper to identify any concerns. I do not have a checklist of criterion, but rather a sense of how the paper will read for the client’s audience member(s). As a skilled reader, I provide another perspective. I am able to provide feedback about what doesn’t make sense to me. Here are a couple of examples:
I might point out to a client that I am having trouble finding a connection between topic A and topic B. I would explain to the client that although the connection might make sense to him/her, it might not make sense to audience members (readers). The client and I would then look together at examples of transition phrases and how to use them for coherence.
I might also notice that the client seems to be struggling with how to clearly articulate his/her main idea. I would provide the client with an opportunity to chat informally with me about what they are attempting to relay to the reader. Through this discussion, clients are usually able to think through what will become their thesis statement. I am then able to help the client develop their thoughts more formally into a workable thesis by showing them examples of effective thesis statements, several of which can be found in Diana Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference.
Examples like these are what the collaborative consultation is all about! Through informal discussion I am able to prompt clients to discover for themselves how to solve their challenges in composition. I provide a reader’s perspective and access to resources. What is important to understand is that I am able to provide feedback about composition, as in the examples cited above. I can help clients with the organization and flow of what has been written, but I am not an expert in all areas of content (nursing, fine arts, etc.). For this reason, clients are referred back to their instructors with questions about whether or not the content of the paper is accurate and adequate.
