As you start to learn how to be a peer writing tutor, it will help to think about ideas we have about writing that we hear from time to time that might not actually be true or always be true. We want to think about these ideas we have because the ideas we have about writing will affect how we tutor.
For each of these ideas, state whether you think they are true, false, or both before reading our answers below.
You’re either born a good writer or not. True or False
Once you’re in middle school (or high school) you should already know everything you need to know about writing. True or False
“Writing” can mean all kinds of texts: slide shows, webpages, letters, magazine articles, timelines, and infographics. True or False
Reading our writing out loud helps us notice mistakes. True or False
If you’re good at writing one thing, you’ll definitely be good at writing everything. True or False
Writers who speak a different language at home always need a lot of help with their writing in English. True or False
Having good grammar and punctuation is the most important thing. True or False
All essays should have five paragraphs: one introduction, three body, and one conclusion. True or False
There’s a right way and a wrong way to write. True or False
Someone can have a learning disability and still be a strong writer. True or False
We get better at writing by writing. True or False