Presented the “Metaphors We Tutor By; Increasing Writer Self-Efficacy” workshop in collaboration with the Humboldt State University Writing Studio staff 

Northern California Writing Centers Association Conference, Santa Clara University, April 2, 2016

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The Workshop described the potential uses for metaphors to aid "tutee" understanding in a one-on-one tutoring situation. Examples were provided and we conducted activities to give the attending tutors an idea of how they might use metaphors in their own tutoring practice. 

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Our objectives were: ​

• Understand the ways metaphors reveal perceptions about writing and can be used to identify a writer’s needs​

• Use metaphors to help conceptualize writing conventions and other writing practices in an inclusive manner

 

Workshop Agenda:​​​

• Writing Prompt / Warmup Exercise

• What is Metaphor? Why is it useful?

• Metaphors Tutees Use

  • Metaphor as a Diagnostic Tool

  • Activity

• Metaphors Tutors Use

  • Assumptions that Underlie Metaphors

  • Activity

• Recap

 

Workshop Takeaways: ​

For Tutors, metaphors can - 

• Concretize abstract writing concepts

• Start a conversation

• Provide encouragement

• Be a diagnostic tool

For Tutees, metaphors can - 

• Be used as a tool to demystify concepts

• Promote comparative thinking

• Encourage tutees to develop their own metaphors

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