How to Help with Student Skills

“Soft skills” are vital to writer success, yet they are not often taught in college. Many writers who come into the Writing Center struggle with things like time management, critical reading and writing, organization, and so on, making the writing process much more difficult for them. We often end up coaching writers in developing those skills along with their writing.

Below are a few examples of these skills and how you can support writers  in learning about them.

This section needs expansion! If you help writers with any “soft skills,” please let the director know.

Critical Reading and Writing

Five Keys to Helping Students Read Difficult Texts: created for teachers but useful for tutors as well.

Research and Critical Reading: part of an online textbook with information for writers.

Being a Successful Writer

Becoming a Successful College Writer: part of an online textbook with information for writers.

Reading and Writing in College: part of an online textbook. Great information about the different types of reading and writing assignments and the differences between high school- and college-level writing.

Setting Goals

Setting goals in a consulting session: created specifically for tutors.

Setting and reaching goals: part of an online textbook with information for writers.

Time Management

Time Management: part of an online course with pages/modules for writers.

Learning Skills and Strategies: Time Management: from the Academic Support Center at Red Deer College. A resource for writers.