Script Tease

This is my letter of application for the tutoring job at the writing center. It pays $10/hr and the information requested for the letter was 1. reasons for wanting the job 2. relevant experience and 3. strengths and weaknesses in my own writing. Please comment, edit, and critique it because I need to submit it on the 30th. I appreciate any feedback. Also, tell me if the reference to WoP is too unprofessional (although, tutoring someone for an hour and fifteen minutes at least 2-3 times a week isn't really a joke...it's an annoying amount of work).
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Letter of Application

The Writing Center position contains many enticing benefits including interaction with Alexander Hamilton at the end of every hour, but money plays a minor role behind why I am applying for this job. I desire the position because I feel that I could help other people with their brainstorming, argumentative, and writing skills in an efficient and fun way. While helping others brings me a lot of satisfaction, I would be lying if I said that there were not any benefits for myself if I was given the job. In the position my communication skills and writing techniques would evolve which, alongside helping other people is one of my personal goals.

Experience is the foundation of any skill set and luckily I have tutored in two different scenarios. In high school I provided trumpet lessons to a wide variety of ages which would require different approaches in order to connect with them. I would often teach younger students some of their favorite pop songs in order to get them excited about their instrument because I found that the more enthusiastic they are about playing, the more likely they are going to improve and play more frequently. For older students I had to explain how to articulate notes clearly and sonorously without using visual models. While a guitarist can stretch his fingers across the neck of his instrument as a demonstration, a trumpet tutor must explain how to position the tongue and vibrate the lips in order to produce a desired sound. Overcoming these communication barriers were essential to becoming an effective teacher and after several years I was able to refine my approaches.

My other tutoring experiences occur on World of Pwnage, a website dedicated to helping others become better competitive gamers. While it sounds like a joke, we’ve successfully sold over two hundred copies of our guide at $24.95 a piece and provide private lessons to our customers. It is difficult trying to explain techniques and strategies to a person who is not next to you, but luckily many of our customers leave extremely satisfied with the lesson. These experiences have developed my communication skills and shaped my perception on the role of a tutor. A tutor is a mentor, helpful, and more importantly an empathetic person who strives to reach their students in meaningful ways. The skills I developed as a tutor make communicating ideas and helping others in life easier.

When looking at some of the writing I have done over the years, some noticeable strengths and weaknesses are present. I tend to be great at critical thinking, analysis, and thesis development. I also enjoy planning and organizing the structure of my argument, a strength which has helped my ability to create flowing arguments which are understandable. While these strengths have greatly helped my writing, I have several weaknesses which tend to detract from the effectiveness of my arguments. Grammar and punctuation are my kryptonite and I tend to be wordy in my papers, which is why editing and proof reading them has been essential to my success as a writer.

My sense of humor, ability to connect with people and communicate ideas makes me feel confident about working with peers in a one on one situation. The satisfaction gained by reaching a person in such a way that not only helps them with their current project but also any future challenges is indescribable. The Writing Center provides the opportunity to embrace that scenario while applying relevant techniques I have developed over the years.