Writing 101 introduces you to college-level writing and introduces you to the skills that lead to our University Level Competency in effective communication. The primary goal of this course is to further the development of your writing skills and to show students that writing is essential to a liberal arts education and to life-long learning. In this course you will learn about the developmental nature of writing, the importance of academic standards, and the significance of "writing to learn." You must earn at least a C- in Writing 101 in order to take HMXP 102.
The focus of Writing 101 is academic, as opposed to personal, writing. Reading assignments and class discussions lead, directly or indirectly, to writing assignments; and while initial papers may grow out of personal experience or general observation, most of the writing assignments are direct or indirect responses to reading assignments. Assignments progress from personal experience writing to more objective, analytical writing which incorporates paraphrased and quoted material. You will participate in a library orientation, be introduced to the Correct Use of Borrowed Information, and expected to produce acceptable college-level writing by the end of the semester.
You will be assigned at least 4000 words of graded writing, an amount which includes a research paper and a final exam (a timed writing assignment). You will write a diagnostic essay in the first week of of class. This essay may provide your instructor with valuable information about your writing skills. Your WRIT 101 teacher will design a final essay exam which reflects the work you have done in the course. The exam counts from 10% to 15% of your final grade in this course.
The required texts for all WRIT 101 classes are Rules for Writers 10th edition and Reading Critically, Writing Well 12th edition. We recommend that you purchase a current college-level dictionary.
