Writing Across the Curriculum

FOR FACULTY

Suggested Language for Writing-intensive syllabi

The Faculty Senate has emphasized that W courses must explicitly communicate the centrality of writing to students.  The syllabus is an important mechanism for this communication.  Below is some suggested language that may be included on syllabi for W courses.

The W Designation:  What Does it Mean?

Because USM believes writing to be a skill of critical importance to your academic, professional, and personal life in the 21^st century, the university emphasizes the development of writing excellence throughout its curriculum.  In English 100/English Composition, you were introduced to the conventions of academic writing at the college level.  Writing-intensive courses such as this one will give you additional experience and training in learning to write with confidence and excellence.  Specifically, you can expect this course to help you achieve excellence by focusing on the practice of writing in the following ways:

1. Emphasizing the relationship between reading and the development of writing excellence.
2. Using writing as a mode of inquiry in a discipline (writing to learn) and as a medium for the expression of critical thinking.
3. Identifying and articulating the skills of writing excellence through ongoing classroom discussion, through specific feedback on your written work, and through revision.
4. Providing a variety of types of writing assignments through which to practice these skills.
5. Helping you to identify rhetorical approaches that are appropriate and effective for your purpose and audience.
6. Helping you to develop the ability to assess your own writing skills as they evolve at the university and beyond.

This page was last updated on March 10, 2004.