Renata Fitzpatrick, Second-Language Writing Coordinator
rfitzpatri@carleton.edu
(507) 222-5998

Before referring a student to me by email, phone, or form, please talk with the student one-to-one, as it is helpful to have him or her self-identify a need for second language writing support from the Academic Support Center, or choose to participate in our services, rather than being labeled by assumption.

A student who can articulate his or her own strengths and weaknesses as a writer will be in a much stronger position to benefit from working with me or a writing consultant than one who is driven to it by someone in authority.  Here are questions that can be helpful to ask the student:

1. What strengths do you bring to the task of academic writing?  How much experience have you had writing academic papers?
2. What challenges do you face in your writing?
3. What kinds of feedback have you received in the past regarding your written work in your first language?  And in English?
4. If teachers have been specific in their suggestions/criticism/evaluation, elaborate or discuss that as clearly as you can.
5. Do you agree or disagree with the evaluation/response you have received on your writing from previous teachers? Explain why.
6. Do you think that one-to-one writing support could or would be helpful to you? Why or why not?

"If difference-as-deficit and difference-as-estrangement are somewhat limiting perspectives on multilingual writers, an attitude that gives them more complexity is one that I call the difference-as-resource perspective" (A. Suresh Canagarajah, 2005).

Access the online referral form