Expressivism, by contrast, emphasizes the creative process of the writer. Product, that is, text, is secondary. Tutoring sessions are characterized, then, by a series of questions, heuristic in nature, designed to draw ideas out of the student. The overview of the essay is at focus, here, and issues of editing are often left to the student. Social Constructivism, finally, encourages collaboration on the writing project.
Any textual meaning is made by the sociocultural and historical contexts informing the text.
Equally collaborating on a text, then discoverers, it is essential to agree consensually on the content and execution of the project. The current schools of traditional rhetoric, expressivism, and social contructivism all vie for primacy in writing centers throughout North America. Most reasonable scholars would subscribe to Michel Foucault s notion of the philosopher s toolbox. Sometimes a student will need one or even several of these approaches to ensure success and progress. As diagnosticians, consultants will rely upon their expertise to find the most comfortable level of assistance for both the client and the consultant.