1. YOUR ROLE AS A WRITING COACH
Job Description:
The role of the writing coach is unique and special. Compared to other volunteer opportunities at Posse,
the writing coach enjoys the benefit of working very closely with Posse Scholars as a group or individually.
In turn, Posse Scholars greatly benefit from the expertise, energy and commitment from their writing
coaches.
Much is expected of writing coaches. Your primary role as a writing coach is to be the expert who teaches
the core lessons of good writing during group or individual coaching sessions. Second, you provide written
and verbal feedback for Scholars’ papers. Your feedback should give Scholars a sense of their writing
strengths and weaknesses and inspire them to want to be better writers. It’s also critically important that
you build positive relationships with the Posse Scholars so they feel comfortable approaching you with
questions and concerns about their writing.
You also work closely with Posse staff, particularly with trainers, to keep the writing sessions dynamic, fun
and useful. In order to keep the sessions engaging, it is important that you understand the different and
complementary aspects of teaching and facilitating and learn how each play a vital role in the
implementation of the writing program.
To be an effective writing coach, it’s important that you understand the philosophy of the Pre-Collegiate
Training program. The Pre-Collegiate training program embraces the belief that all students go through
their own individual processes as they prepare to go to college. Our training is meant to help students

2. start thinking about aspects of their identity, academic goals, personal leadership, and other factors that
shape their development into college students. We don’t directly or intentionally influence their views on
race, class, culture, religion, gender, sexuality, etc., because we want Scholars to develop their own views
through their own experiences. We do, however, challenge Scholars to think critically about their own
perspectives and the perspectives of others. As a writing coach, you teach Scholars how to translate their
views into good writing.
You should also know that although academic excellence is a central focus of Pre-Collegiate Training, it
would be unrealistic to say we could ever “completely” prepare our Scholars for every academic challenge
they will face. However, we can show them how to make the most of academic resources (particularly
writing resources) on campus and that it’s okay to ask for help. As a writing coach, we need you to
constantly reinforce that message with the group.
THE WRITING COACH RESPONSIBILITIES
Writing Session Coach
Coaches who teach and co-facilitate writing sessions over the course of seven months. These coaches will
help Scholars bridge the gap between high school level writing and college level writing. The writing
coach will conduct each writing session with a Posse staff member.
Detailed responsibilities include:
■ Co-facilitates a workshop with a Posse trainer approximately twice a month or as specified by the
provided calendar.
■ Follows the writing curriculum which is designed to address the expectations of college level
writing.
■ Provides thoughtful, constructive and timely feedback to Scholars about their writing
assignments.
■ Meets with trainers to plan each writing workshop.
■ Makes sure the writing sessions are effective for all Scholars, regardless of the students’ writing
expertise..
■ Works with trainers to identify Scholars in need of an individual writing coach.

3. Individual Writing Coach
Coaches who tutor students one-on-one. These coaches are available for one-on-one coaching with
Scholars on an as-needed basis. Individual coaches help Scholars identify their writing strengths and
weaknesses and provide tailored feedback on how Scholars can improve their writing.
Detailed responsibilities include:
■ Available for one-on-one coaching with Scholars on an as-needed basis.
■ Helps Scholars identify their writing strengths and weaknesses.
■ Provides tailored feedback on how Scholars can improve their writing.
■ Issues a final “report” of a Scholar’s strengths and areas for improvement.
In general, all writing coaches…
■ Give direct, specific, feedback.
■ Make sure writing assignments are focused on the type of non-fiction, expository writing most
frequently expected in college courses.
■ Help Scholars build logical and persuasive arguments.
■ Use outside readings to enrich the sessions.
■ Inspire, nurture, and provide confidence...once you and the Posse or Posse Scholar develop trust,
you will able to speak more candidly about writing goals and areas for improvement.
■ Compare writing to other types of acquired skills. Many students do not understand that any
writing weaknesses they may have are matters of training and not of intelligence. Helping
Scholars to make this distinction will go a long way towards making them more open to
discussing ways to improve their writing.
■ Teach students to find their own unique voice and point of view. Many students do this quite well
in their spoken communications, but have not yet learned how to translate that same boldness of
thought and spirit into the written word.
■ May be the first writing “coach” for some Scholars. The students often don't know what they don't
know. Coaches may be one of their first “reality checks.” Help them identify areas for
improvement.
■ Remember that writing styles take years to create. It may take some time for students to break
bad habits.
■ Are patient. Even highly motivated students can sometimes seem unfocused or undisciplined.
Remember this is a highly challenging and distracting time of life. Be patient with the writing and
the student.

4. ■ When possible, connect or integrate school assignments into the coaching sessions. The
immediacy of the need for completing a school project can be an excellent opening for instruction
that will stick.
■ Troubleshoot. Collaborate with Posse staff. Trainers, directors, program directors, and program
coordinators are always available to support coaches.
■ Adapt, the writing component manual to address the specific writing needs of your Scholar in
each of your coaching sessions
■ Use your experiences, strengths, and resources to help prepare your assigned Scholar for his/her
first year in college
■ Most importantly, have fun!