Writer Based or Text Based: Conflicting Goals

MSU--Denver's WC  approach to writing is writer based, meaning we as tutors try to help the student become a better writer.  Most times, though, the student comes in to the writing center with one goal: to get a good grade on their paper or essay.  How do tutors choose to help balance these needs and goals?  In Matthew Ortoleva's article, "Centering the Writer or Centering the Text: A Meditation on a Shifting Practice in Writing Center Consultation" he addresses the sometimes conflicting goals of the tutor and student.  He gives several examples of helping students as a writer centered tutor, and addresses the times he's tutored as a text centered tutor. For example: his goal of helping a bright ESL student  get into grad school.  Yes, there are times when we tutor with the big questions in mind: audience, genre, purpose, why?...but there are times when a text centered session is appropriate. I found this article helpful because sometimes a paper is so well written, it's not a question of the student becoming a better writer; I am another set of eyes on the text to further refine an already great essay.

http://emil.uwc.utexas.edu/praxis/?q=node/209