Can a tutor help me write my paper?

Question

What if I am stuck getting started on an essay/paper or don't understand the assignment?

Answer 1

If you need or would like help from a tutor to write your paper for any reason, feel free to reach out (to me)! I am here to help you improve your writing skills and understanding of your assignments.

Answer 2

Writing assignments intimidate many students. If you find yourself stuck at the beginning, a tutor can help you review the assignment detail in context of your course goals. The next step is to work on a basic outline of ideas that address the question(s) posed by the assignment. Often, this exercise is enough to overcome the challenge of getting started.

In order to make the best use of your time with a writing tutor, consider getting as much on paper as possible. A first draft may be disorganized, contain grammar or spelling errors, lack details or source material. This is fine place to begin and a perfect time to ask for feedback.

There are three levels of review in the writing process, though they are not exclusively sequential. The first level focuses on the big picture, or "higher-order concerns": thesis/focus, audience and purpose, organization of ideas, and incorporation of outside sources.

The second level is editing, or attention to "lower-order concerns." Considerations include sentence structure, punctuation, mechanics and grammar, word choice, and citation formatting. Higher- and lower-order concerns do overlap at times. For instance, if punctuation errors or word choice confuse the meaning of a statement, the issues have to be addressed together. Generally, developing writers expect to be in the editing stage when they come to a tutor. It is important to accept feedback on any level with an understanding that the reader is looking for ways to help you improve your written communication.

Edits preface the third and (usually) final level of writing review: proofreading. Proofreading requires a reader to check that essential editing suggestions have been incorporated into the final draft. Typos, misspellings, and formatting details more easily stand out to fresh eyes. This is because writers' brains tend to auto-correct any mistakes as a matter of familiarity with the intended content. If you don't have a final proofreader, try reading the paper one sentence at a time from the end to the beginning. This can help disrupt the inclination to mentally fix or overlook mistakes.

KEY TAKEAWAY: An experienced writing tutor can help you at any point in your writing journey. You need only the assignment description and course/project goals to begin collaborating. Remember to check your ego when enlisting help—the goal is to improve rather than validate. Trust the process!