It is always good to start off on the right foot with the students
we work with as RAs. The introduction sheets handed out to the
students in class provide an excellent chance not only to explain
the RA program to the students, but also to let the students
know what to expect from you as an RA. There are a few important
items that should be included in your introduction sheet: Who
you are and what your major is, your home phone number, e-mail
address, where the conferences will be held, how the RA program
works (i.e. how they will be handing in rough drafts to you
to critique), and what you will expect of the student after
they turn in a draft.
Here are a couple of examples to give you an idea of what
an introduction sheet looks like. Consider including your
photo. (Photocopies can be made in the HASS office, given
sufficient lead time. See Miriam.)
Letter Example One
The Rhetoric Associates Program
A famous writer once said: "Writing is easy! All you
have to do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until blood
runs out of your forehead."
I hope you don't go through this every time you write a paper.
Writing might start out as a solitary creative process, but
we don't write just to ourselves (not usually, anyway!). Most
of the time we write in order to say something to the community
around us.
That's where I come in as your RA. I have to admit I was
skeptical the first time I was assigned an RA. I didn't want
anyone else to read my writing except for the professor teaching
the course. I resisted the idea that another undergrad like
myself could help me write a better paper. But my own RA helped
me so much that I was converted.
Before our conference, I will read your paper several times.
We will discuss your paper together, so be prepared with questions,
concerns, and suggestions so you can be an active participant
in our conference. Remember, you are the author. My purpose
is simply to act as a mirror to your intentions as a writer.
One word of caution: Please don't be misled by the term,
"rough draft." I want to read your best effort.
We will meet in the "fishbowl" on the 3rd floor
of the library.
Feel free to call me anytime throughout the writing process.
If a child answers, please instruct him or her to write down
your name and number on a piece of paper (not the wall!),
and I'll get back to you.
Happy Writing!
Melinda Nutt
258-5061 (late afternoons and evenings until 10 p.m.)
e-mail: SLXXX
Letter Example Two
The Rhetoric Associates Program
Hi! We will be working closely on your first paper in Dr.
Pitkin's LAS 125 class. I hope you are as excited about that
prospect as I am.
My name is Charlene Hirschi. I'm a sophomore in English/Writing.
As your RA I will meet with you to discuss your rough draft
in preparation for writing the final paper. Please do not
be misled by the term "rough draft"--by the time
I see your paper it should have been revised a minimum of
two times and in you mind it should be ready to hand in to
Dr. Pitkin. The process will be much more beneficial to you,
as a writer, if I see your best work.
When we meet, I will have already read your paper, and I
hope you will take the opportunity to review your paper just
before our appointment. (Keep a copy for yourself.) Come prepared
to tell me about any concerns you have with style, organization,
content, grammar, or punctuation. They say that "two
heads are better than one," and between us we should
be able to work out any problems or doubts you may be having.
It is important to remember that this is your paper, and you
will make the final decision on whether to incorporate any
of my suggestions.
Our appointment will be on the day and time you signed up
for in class. We will meet in the conference room on the second
floor of the R.B. West building. I have allotted 20 minutes
for each student, so please be on time. If for any reason
you cannot make it at the assigned time, please call me the
night before so we can make other arrangements.
Charlene Hirschi
(208) 945-2601
hirschi@cache.net
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