How do you adapt peer tutoring for writing to different disciplines, genres, and audiences?

Peer tutoring for writing is a valuable way to improve your skills, receive feedback, and learn from others. However, writing is not a one-size-fits-all activity. Different disciplines, genres, and audiences have different expectations, conventions, and challenges. How do you adapt peer tutoring for writing to these diverse contexts? Here are some tips to help you and your peers succeed.

1 Know the purpose

The first step to adapt peer tutoring for writing is to understand the purpose of the writing task. What are you trying to achieve? Who are you writing for? How will your writing be evaluated? These questions will help you and your peer identify the main goals, criteria, and standards of the writing assignment. Knowing the purpose will also help you decide on the appropriate tone, style, and format of your writing.

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Kai Demandante

people-focused software engineer
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Especially when you are figuring out your writing voice, knowing the target audience and intent (action for the audience after reading the piece) is super important.

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2 Research the genre

The second step to adapt peer tutoring for writing is to research the genre of the writing task. Genre refers to the type of writing, such as an essay, a report, a review, or a proposal. Each genre has its own features, structures, and conventions that you need to follow. For example, an essay may have an introduction, a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, while a report may have an executive summary, a table of contents, headings, and appendices. Researching the genre will help you and your peer understand the expectations and requirements of the writing task.

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Kai Demandante

people-focused software engineer
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For more creative writing pieces (i.e. poetry), following a certain format is not as important. As you advance your writing techniques and skills, following established formatting and structure becomes less important.

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3 Compare the discipline

The third step to adapt peer tutoring for writing is to compare the discipline of the writing task. Discipline refers to the field of study, such as history, psychology, engineering, or art. Each discipline has its own methods, perspectives, and vocabulary that you need to use. For example, history may use primary and secondary sources, chronological order, and footnotes, while psychology may use experiments, hypotheses, and APA style. Comparing the discipline will help you and your peer recognize the differences and similarities between your fields of study and adjust your writing accordingly.

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Etienne Wasson

English Language and University Administration Professional
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It's important to know which citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian, etc.) your discipline uses and to follow the most up-to-date rules of that style.

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4 Analyze the audience

The fourth step to adapt peer tutoring for writing is to analyze the audience of the writing task. Audience refers to the readers of your writing, such as your instructor, your peers, or a general public. Each audience has its own needs, interests, and background knowledge that you need to consider. For example, your instructor may expect you to demonstrate your understanding of the course material, your peers may expect you to share your insights and opinions, and a general public may expect you to explain your topic clearly and engagingly. Analyzing the audience will help you and your peer tailor your writing to suit your readers.

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5 Review the feedback

The fifth step to adapt peer tutoring for writing is to review the feedback of the writing task. Feedback refers to the comments, suggestions, and questions that you and your peer give and receive on your writing. Feedback can help you improve your writing by identifying your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. However, feedback can also vary depending on the purpose, genre, discipline, and audience of the writing task. Therefore, you and your peer need to review the feedback carefully and critically, and decide which feedback is relevant, helpful, and constructive.

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6 Revise the draft

The final step to adapt peer tutoring for writing is to revise the draft of the writing task. Revision refers to the process of making changes to your writing based on the feedback, research, and analysis that you and your peer have done. Revision can help you polish your writing by enhancing your content, organization, language, and style. However, revision can also be challenging and time-consuming, especially when you have to adapt your writing to different contexts. Therefore, you and your peer need to revise your draft systematically and strategically, and check for consistency, accuracy, and clarity.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you adapt peer tutoring for writing to different disciplines, genres, and audiences?

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1 Know the purpose

2 Research the genre

3 Compare the discipline

4 Analyze the audience

5 Review the feedback

6 Revise the draft

7 Here’s what else to consider

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