Blog Post: The Writers You Tutor, Bedford Guide

This chapter from the Bedford Guide spoke to several aspects of my experience so far in both the Writing Center and while teaching rhetoric. For one, they point to what it looks like to acknowledge diversity when teaching rhetoric. As my first major speech assignment approaches, I wonder when it would look like to revise my assignment description documents and see if there are areas in which I make statements with inferences that only American traditional students may know.

For example, if I were to include a statement on a speech assignment such as: "student must have good speaking posture," this makes an inference based upon what a good, American speech style is in our cultural. Perhaps in another culture, "good posture" includes having a stoic, serious face. Whereas in my American classes, having an expressive and engaged face is preferred in public speaking. Perhaps those sorts of lines should be revised to" student must have a good speaking posture. This includes shoulders back, face visible, appropriate and professional clothing, expressive face, etc."

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