THE ATMOSPHERICS OF BODY LANGUAGE IN THE WRITING CENTER AND TUTORING SESSION.

THE A

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BODY LA

NGUAGE

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GET UP AND SHAKE IT OUT

Notice how your body feels today, notice posture, get up for a stretch or stretch in your seat.

THE GREETING

-Get up out of your chair!

-Offer a handshake

-Smile

-Sit down together

CONNECT WITH A HANDSHAKE

SITTING DOWN

-Ask if it’s ok to sit alongside the writer, bridge the space. Most sessions start across table and then move to side by side.

-Phone on? Announce you are turning it off as a gesture of focus and attention

SESSION IN PROGRESS

Don’t forget to look up, make eye contact and check in

USE GESTURES

APPROACHABLE VS. DEFENSIVE BODY LANGUAGE

LISTENING

Be a good/active listener

-Use facial expressions to show interest/empathy

-Nod your head to show you are tuned in

-Maintain eye contact

-Writer in disbelief? Open your mouth

-Writer in shock? Raise eyebrows or widen eyes

NOTICE YOUR POSTURE AND THE WRITER’S

NOTICE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF ANXIETY AROUND THE FACE?-Hands on the face

-Chewing Fingers

-Constant adjusting of hair

-Face in hands

-Eyebrows down

-Frowning

NOTICING SIGNS OF ANXIETY? CHECK IN

Questions:

How are you today?

When is this assignment due?

How do you feel about writing?

Where and how do you write at home?

Is there anything we can adjust in the Writing Center to make you more comfortable? (Light, noise cancelling technology, headphones during a writing session)

CHECK YOUR OWN FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND POSTURE/ START FRESH AND SMILE

Say EEEEEEEE

HOW TO RESET POOR POSTURE

Ask for a stretch! Simply standing up or stretching in the chair can reset poor posture and invigorate a session. Invite the writer to do the same.

CALL TIME OUT

Use breathing/stretching/walking around for a minute to reset a session that has the signs of losing energy and interest. It only takes one minute to improve the next twenty to fifty minutes

MIRROR THE POSTURE YOU WISH TO SEE

By creating good posture you increase the likelihood of seeing the writer maintain good posture. Both good and bad posture are contagious. Be careful not to mirror poor posture!

MAKE THE TEXT BIG AND EASY TO

SHARE IT CAN IMPROVE POSTURE-Use focus view or 150-200%

-Increase the size for easy shared access

-This can improve posture during the sessions and reduce strain to see the work leading to more relaxed writers

GET - C.L.O.S.E.R

C- Connect

L- Lean In

O- Offer Hospitality and open your posture

S- Smile

E- Eye Contact

R- Relax

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OR INJURIES

If you know a writer has a disability or suspect they may be injured or experiencing physical discomfort, ask if there is anything you can do to accommodate them.

THE BASICS AGAIN

Get up and shake hands- It’s polite, welcoming and respectful!

Make eye contact–It demonstrates attention

Smile- It fosters connection and confidence

Be animated- Use gestures.

Lean in- It shows you are interested

Be relaxed- Tension is contagious, and so is relaxation!

Show good posture- Writers want to work with an alert and engaged tutor

Be aware- Make sure you aren’t fidgeting or acting distracted