The First-Year Writing Program supports incoming students in the development of their critical thinking and writing skills, preparing them for the work of their academic, professional, and civic lives. In these courses, students develop and expand their writing skills, improving their array of strategies, tools, and technologies to prepare them for their work at the University and beyond.

The First-Year Writing Program consists of two courses, Writing I and Writing II. For both courses, workshop sections and sections designed for multilingual writers are offered. Please visit the Writing Placement page for more specific information about these offerings.

Writing I

This course prepares students for both professional and academic roles in the modern digital age by fostering strong writing, critical thinking, and workplace communication skills.  By emphasizing writing as a process, the course guides students in developing, refining, and assessing rhetorical skills to suit a variety of contexts and goals. Through the examination and composition of a variety of texts, students apply knowledge of context, bias, and credibility to improve their critical engagement of concepts and arguments. Students who take Writing 1 Workshop are provided time during class to work on their writing with the guided assistance of the instructor. Students must earn a “C” or higher in order to pass this course.

Writing II

This course builds on the foundation of Writing I to enhance students’ skills in critical inquiry, rhetorical awareness, and composition. Students apply their information literacy skills in the design and development of a sustained interdisciplinary research project that explores issues related to their professional, academic, and civic roles. Instructors guide students in high-level research, the critical consideration of diverse perspectives, and the adaptation of arguments across audiences and contexts. Students who choose to take Writing II Workshop are provided with time during class to work on their writing while the instructor is present to provide assistance. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in order to pass this course. Prerequisite: WRT 101.