Tutoring Writing

First, have the student identify and explain any areas of difficulty
she may have in writing.
Teach with examples. Use the Writing Resources available for the 9
essential skills
Start by discussing the potential Subject, Purpose and Audience
(SPA). Help connect the writing topic to the student's interests.
Review or introduce The Writing Process and help your student
through the process step by step always referring to the chosen
Subject Purpose and Audience:
1. Prewriting/ Planning your writing
Select the SPA
Discuss information, ideas, and facts

Brainstorm ideas: Encourage

the student to brainstorm ideas

and get them on paper. You might even take notes while
she brainstorms aloud.

Discuss ideas and make a plan

2. Writing/ Writing your first draft
Develop your ideas
Write your ideas on paper
Organize your ideas
Write your first draft
3. Revising/ Improving your writing
Read your first draft: check the flow of the writing
Review and share your writing with someone
Rearrange words and ideas as needed
Make changes to improve your first draft
Write other drafts

Editing & Proofing/ Making corrections Help

your student learn how to edit a

paper. Don't edit it yourself but instead offer to teach how to edit.

Check the sentences and paragraphs

Check for spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation
Make corrections
Rewrite/type a final copy: check for errors

If a student has a lot of grammar errors, take the time to teach the
grammar principle behind the mistake.
4. Publishing/ Sharing your finished writing
Share your writing: send, display, submit, publish, or read to others

After brainstorming, help her start to organize her paper. Ask her
to identify which ideas go together.
After the student has written a couple of drafts, begin the
sentence-level editing process. Encourage her to identify her own
errors and show her how to look up corrections in a style guide (I
use Rules for Writers by Diana Hacker).
Remind students that multiple drafts are necessary. Good writers
have to make a few drafts to get it right and improve