mock tutoring session

I found the mock tutoring session held in class today very helpful and informative. Previous to this exercise I doubted my ability to act as an effective tutor, but once I engaged in conversation with my mock peer seeking help, the words and suggestions just started pouring out of me. Although Stephanie had a nearly perfect paper on which she recieved an A, I still managed to find some suggestions to give her on expansions of ideas and new aspects to her arguments. I somehow managed to do all of this with a positive and collaborative attitude which encouraged her to insert her own ideas and use her own opinions. On the other hand, I felt very uncomfortable being the student in the situation. While Robert brought up many good points as to what my paper was lacking, I am not one who accepts criticism too well. I, personally, refuse to even reread my paper at all prior to turning it in. However, despite my distaste for constructive criticism, Robert went about tutoring me in a very constructive, positive, and gentle way. He made suggestions, not demands, and asked me my opinion before making any suggestions. The one question which resonated throughout the meeting was "what do you feel needs to change about this paper?" I found this question very effective and successful because he handed over the authority and control to me, valuing my opinions and fixing the paper to my specific needs.