Hospitality in the Writing Center: A Conceptual Framework for Tutors

ABSTRACT

This article explores hospitality’s utility as a conceptual framework to assist writing tutors. The study, described in the article, investigated tutors’ perceptions concerning how Haswell & Haswell’s elaboration of hospitality—as a disposition—might bring about more positive, generative, and encouraging outcomes in writing center work. The data collected in the form of audio-recorded tutorials, post-tutorial interviews, and a focus group suggests that hospitality offers an open but promising schema to help tutors consider what responsible and ethical use of power and authority might look like for their appointments—particularly when working outside their disciplines and with multilingual students.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiculturalism and diversity
• writing
• student support services
• tutoring
• english as a second language
• learning assistance
• learning centre

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Edward A. English

Edward English is an Assistant Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University where he teaches courses in Composition, Professional Writing, Classical Literature, and Native American Literature. He also enjoys his role as the faculty sponsor of the OBU Chess Club. Prior to his time at OBU, he worked as the Assistant Director to the University of Louisville Writing Center. When not working on things teaching or research related, he enjoys spending time with his wife Morgan and their dog Lilly, as well as, fishing, collecting Ancient Greek coins, and spending time outdoors.