Writing Requirements and Expectations

Western Washington University believes that development of writing proficiency should be pursued systematically throughout the course of study. To that end Western has established a program of writing courses and support services beginning in the freshman year and extending to upper-division writing proficiency courses offered throughout the University.

Writing Requirements for Graduation

English 101

All students need to complete English 101 or an approved equivalent as part of the Communication General University Requirement (GUR), Block A.

Writing II

While not a requirement for graduation, students may elect to satisfy a second GUR in Communication by taking a Block C writing course (WII).

Writing Proficiency

Students need to complete a minimum of three writing proficiency (WP) points in approved WP courses to graduate. WP courses are upper-division classes emphasizing learning to write in the context of a discipline. These courses must be completed at WWU and passed with a grade of C- or better. Since most departments offer them, students typically register for WP courses in their majors.

Student Writing Expectations

Student Writing Expectations: A document created by the Writing Assessment Group detailing Western's expectations for student writing.
(Opens a Word document in a new window.)

 

Block A of GUR Communication Requirement: English 101 or equivalent

• Block A of the GUR communications requirement: to be completed, with a grade of C- or better, prior to the accumulation of 45 credits, see the GUR section; ENG 101, Writing and Critical Inquiry, (5), (waived for students demonstrating high English competency on college entrance exams); all students must satisfy Block A except Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies students.

Block B or C of GUR Communication Requirement: Writing II

• Block B or C of the GUR communications requirement: to be completed prior to accumulation of 135 credits; see the GUR section for details.

Writing II Courses

(Block C)

Art History 275

Communication 322

Dance 231

History 203

Women Studies 212

For current Writing II course offerings, see Classfinder.

 

Criteria for Writing II Courses

(from http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/gened/writing.htm)

Scope

A proposal should identify an existing course or propose a new course with the following features:

• Has these prerequisites: English 101 and 30 credits
• Caps enrollment at 25
• Carries a minimum of 3 credits
• Includes instruction in how to write academic discourse about a particular academic topic or domain such as the sciences, humanities, arts, etc. 
• Includes writing as at least 75% of the final letter grade, including both formal and informal writing products
• Needs to provide opportunities for revising
• May be a stand-alone course or offered as part of a link or sequence of courses

Learning Outcomes

A Writing II course should address all of the following four categories with an emphasis on at least one of the outcomes in each category.

1. Rhetorical Knowledge
   • Demonstrate understanding of basic rhetorical concepts such as audience and purpose
   • Demonstrate understanding of how to write for various academic audiences and purposes
   • Synthesize multiple perspectives in writing for an audience of non-specialists
2. Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing
   • Demonstrate understanding of interactions among critical reading, critical thinking, and writing
   • Show evidence of evaluating sources using established criteria
   • Incorporate evidence in presenting reasoned claims
   • Integrate own ideas with those of others
3. Processes
   • Employ advanced search strategies in framing and answering academic questions using library/field sources
   • Show understanding of how to generate, construct, and present arguments
   • Show understanding of multi-drafting, revision, and reflection
   • Demonstrate use of flexible strategies for generating, revising, proofreading and editing
   • Demonstrate ability to prepare an oral presentation based on an academic paper
4. Knowledge of Conventions
   • Demonstrate knowledge of common formats for a variety of academic texts
   • Demonstrate knowledge of specialized vocabulary
   • Show control of features such as syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling
   • Demonstrate ability to use academic conventions in documenting work

Proposal Development

Proposals must clearly demonstrate that the course content and assessment methods will foster the specified learning outcomes.  Resources including examples of assessment methods and writing rubrics will be available online to faculty as they design their courses.

 

Writing Proficiency Courses

• Complete a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing proficiency courses at WWU with a minimum grade of C-. Students must complete Block B or C of the Communications GUR requirement before enrolling in a writing proficiency course.

All Western writing proficiency courses should follow these University-wide guidelines:

• students write multiple drafts of assigned papers
• instructors provide suggestions for revision of drafts
• instructors assign course grades based on revised versions of assigned writings and according to the table below.
  

Writing Proficiency Points Fulfilling the Writing Proficiency Requirements (Minimum 3 points required)
	Credit Hours of course	% of Grade Based on Writing Assignments
WP1	1 Credit	75%
	2 Credits	50%
	3 Credits	25%
	4 Credits	20% (18.75%)
	5 Credits	15%
WP2	2 Credits	75%
	3 Credits	50%
	4 Credits	40% (37.5%)
	5 Credits	30%
WP3	3 Credits	75%
	4 Credits	55%
	5 Credits	45%

Upper-division writing proficiency courses emphasize research and writing. In writing proficiency courses, students learn the writing style and conventions of their disciplines, as well as the techniques for integrating evidence into scholarly papers. Writing proficiency courses are listed in the online Classfinder.

Current WP Courses

To search for WP courses in current and future quarters or to view open sections, times, or instructors for these courses, use Classfinder's GUR search feature to select the "WP" designation for that quarter.