The Assignment Sheet Mystery

In Anna Kendall’s column on “The Assignment Sheet Mystery,” she includes an interesting point by Muriel Harris: “The tutor’s role is one of translator or interpreter, in which he or she turns the teacher’s language into the student’s language” (3). In class, we have talked about translating teachers’ commentary or feedback on papers to students, but we have not discussed translating the prompts to students in full detail. While I agree that de-coding the assignment sheet should be an essential part to the writing process, I think it is important for writing consultants to refrain from taking too much control, both in the meeting and in regards to the professors' guidelines.

The role as a translator or interpreter is beneficial to students who do not have full or easy access to their professors. In my experience, some professors have been more than willing to meet with me outside of class and discuss ideas for writing assignments, but others are not as open to discussion, or have limited office hours. The writing center makes it easy for students because consultants are both readily available and keen to offer help.

Additionally, many students may feel more comfortable seeking help from a consultant than their professors, because we have fewer expectations and strive for a judgment-free zone. Students may feel intimidated or stupid asking their professors for clarification on a prompt, or meeting with them when they do not have anything prepared. Writing consultants at the writing center can help students at any stage of their writing, even if it is just decoding a prompt.

I was also intrigued when Kendall writes that “active learning is more effective and students can learn a lot from working with each other" (3). Papers are almost always written all outside of class, because professors cannot afford the class time to discuss ideas or allow students to exchange thoughts. They usually just read the assignment and ask the class for any questions immediately after when they have not had any time to digest what is being asked of them. The writing center is all-active, so it offers a completely different environment. I like the idea of de-coding the prompts with the students, but instead of consultants blatantly explaining exactly what the “strategy words” are, I think it is would be more interactive to ask the student what he or she thinks it means. That way, students are actively participating as opposed to simply being told what to do.

Lastly, while I think it is important for consultants to translate the prompt, I think it is more important to never guess what the professor is asking, or take any liberties on the assignment. If there is any confusion, I suggest emailing the professor, or advising the student to meet with the professor outside of class.