saying hello to the class

In the first or second week of class, before the first set of papers, you (and the other Fellow assigned to the course, if there is one) should visit the class and introduce yourself. This is a crucial moment; many students will have never heard of the Writing Fellows Program, unless the professor has mentioned it already. To quote directly from the Brown University Writing Fellows handbook, written by Fellows themselves:

Don't worry; no dancing, stinging, or searing is required. It is most important to be honest, enthusiastic, and coherent. To accomplish this, you must do two things: get to the classroom early so you have time to settle in before you talk, and take time to plan what you are going to say before you walk in the door. (There will be a special evening session to practice saying hello to the class during the first week of classes. Please make every effort to attend this session.)

Bring notes. You will probably have only a few minutes of class time, and if you don't bring a piece of paper with notes, you run the risk of forgetting what you meant to say and wasting valuable time by rambling. If you're working with a partner, divide up the information so that one person doesn't do all the talking. As you think about what you want to say, consider what the subject matter/level of the course is and what you can expect students to be interested in or to know. You'll want to tailor your introduction to the class; your approach will be slightly different for a senior-level Sociology class than for a first-year English seminar.

We suggest that you talk briefly about the program's benefits, emphasize the importance of coming to conferences, and remind them that only the professor can give them extensions. You might tell them something about yourself and/or your goals as their Writing Fellow. Don't undercut your own authority: you have to walk that fine line (everyone does it a little differently) between "peer" and "tutor." Make sure you mention that the program is mandatory, and you might ask the professor (in advance) to explain to the students how she or he will handle papers which are turned in without drafts. Be proactive.

Give some thought to how you'll present yourself; remember to project your voice, be enthusiastic, keep an eye on time, and so forth. Also think a little about how you might deal with the unpredictable. How, for instance, would you react on the spot if the professor forgot your name when introducing you or if there were loud construction noises from the room next door? (Although rare, both of these circumstances have come up in the past.) Be sure to end your introduction by inviting students to ask questions. If you are one of two Fellows in a course and you already know which students you will be working with, you might call out their names and make sure they get a good look at you, so they recognize you when they come to their first conference.

We also strongly suggest that you distribute information sheets about the Writing Fellows program, personalized for the class. You can use them to guide your presentation, as long as you don't just read directly from them (that usually makes for a dreadfully dull few minutes). You and your partner can make up your own sheet, but it should probably contain the following:

• Your full name, telephone number, and e-mail address
• A paper schedule for the semester and instructions for the paper exchange
• Things you want them to be sure to do when they hand in their drafts (like writing your name and their full name on drafts, typing drafts, double-spacing drafts, handing them in on time, etc.)
• Information on where you'll be holding your conferences, how to get there, and how to recognize you

If you're working with a partner, collaborate with him or her to decide what kind of form to use. A long, detailed explanation may not be as effective as a concise introduction; use your judgment and concentrate on explaining the program clearly and directly.

We've got sample information sheets for you to look at and borrow from.

If you forget everything else on that first day, be sure to tell the students that you are excited to be working with them this semester (preferably while smiling).