SMARTHINKING | The leader in on-demand student support

Lyn Newbrander

Subjects

Writing, ESL

Education

M.A.T. in English, Calvin College

Smarthinking Tutor Since

2007

Student Sessions

1,931

Strong Writing Begins with Bridging Students from Theory to Practice

We are the bridge between theory and praxis. While students know that they are meant to write strong theses, good topic sentences, provide evidence, and support their ideas with citations, they often do not know how this knowledge applies to the writing task at hand. As I click on other essays students have submitted to see what the previous tutors worked on before starting my own response, I often see a pattern of stronger writing from submission to submission.  Instead of no thesis, the student now is writing rudimentary theses. Instead of dropping quotes, she is now introducing them and commenting on them. In Live sessions, students often say, “Oh, I see what you mean! Now I finally understand what I’m doing wrong here.” They begin to understand that writing rules are not arbitrary laws, but are tools which, applied correctly, give the reader clues to understand the writer’s ideas. 

Lyn's View on Smarthinking

"I enjoy live, online tutoring because I can chat with the students about their specific challenges and not only help them find answers, but also give them confidence in approaching the writing process. I also enjoy the variety. I don’t know in advance whether I will next help a graduate business student, or a student writing his first narrative."

Lyn, English/ESL Tutor