My Metaphor

I have decided to use cafes as my governing metaphor. While they can be found all over the world, each cafe is unique, and is composed of the cultural traditions that are imbedded in that region. Literature is quite like this. Each author utilizes the traditions and culture of the location they write about, or write in, to embody these elements in their works. On a side note, cafes always tend to remind me of literary figures-it's the romanticism that pervades their walls that attracts me. I enjoy examining literary works as products of culture, and the differences inherently present within each piece. As I can travel from cafe to cafe, growing each time into a "cultured" individual, so shall my reflections come to pass and follow the path of experience.

Strengths-from Ben

I feel that I bring a large amount of knowledge and charisma to the Writing Center. I am, I contend, a strong writer, and my communication skills are pretty good. I also feel that I am a creative person and that I can foster creativity in others. Most importantly, I will do everything within my power to strengthen the alliance between subject and verb in the Clemson community.

My strengths

My strengths, concerning both writing/communications and interpersonal skills, stem from my English education experience. My coursework for the secondary ed. degree included greater emphasis on grammar and pedagogy than the more lit-focused BA in English. I think that these experiences will prove especially helpful for tutoring in the writing center. I have also been able to gain experience with teacher to student relations in my practicum experience and in student teaching.

Strengths (and not some)

"Strengths" is often a hard term to deal with, because you want to write candidly and directly, but do not want to appear arrogant. Thus, I would say that, in general, I am good at writing. I feel that I can manipulate prose to my liking, and have a good sense of organization and creativity-a blend that I feel is vital to really "good" writing. I can communicate well with others, and believe that my ability to relate to individuals is something that has enabled me to informally tutor thus far, and will continue to aid me in my formal tutoring. Someone upstairs felt I was qualified to do this, felt we were all qualified, so the only thing I/we can do is believe them. Writing will be the easy thing-recognizing the problems, correcting mistakes, instructing the students on the process of writing and the best way to handle that process. The tutoring part will be a bit trickier, but I am determined to do it, and have a desire to do it, so it should all fall into place.

Strengths

As your first contributions to the course weblog, please list the strengths you bring to the Writing Center. What are you good at (writing and communication-wise) and what interpersonal strengths do you have that help you succeed as a tutor?