Accountability Appointments

Page Content

What is an accountability appointment?

An accountability appointment is a different sort of Writing Center appointment. It is low-interaction and lends itself well to writing in groups. The point of these kinds of appointments is to get work done, instead of checking on work that has already been done.

How do they work?

Appointments work in a similar way to study groups, free-writing in class, or getting an exercise buddy. When we are surrounded by others doing the same kind of work that we're doing, we're more likely to stay focused on the work we need to do.

An accountability appointment can be set for either 25 minutes or an hour, depending on what you would like to work on.

At the start of the appointment, the visitor(s) will talk through their writing goals for the appointment time with the tutor (and other members of the writing group, if applicable.)

Then, everyone gets to work. The tutor will spend time with the visitors, but will not demand attention. Instead, their job is to answer any quick questions a student writer might have in a way that enables them to get back to work. Shortly before the appointment is over, the tutor will check in with the visitor(s) and find out what happened during the session and help students decide on the next steps in order to complete their work or to get to the next stage of the writing process.

Strategies

The tutor may work on their own writing at the time, as part of what we call "body doubling." Drawn from access work for neurodivergent folks, body doubling recognizes that performing a task in the presence of others occupying a space and doing similar work can be subtly motivational and help increase focus.

Students may also feel able to write more confidently, know that a tutor is there to help if they need it, providing a sort of writer's safety net.

Writing is also a social practice, even if we think that we're doing it all on our own. The ability to connect with others as we move through the writing process makes the act feel more rewarding and helps our thinking.

Oh, and if someone schedules a writing group with a group of peer, you may get to use the Writing Center conference room, which comes with snacks!