SALIENT FEATURES OF A "W" COURSE

ENROLLMENT

• A maximum enrollment of 25

ASSIGNMENT DESIGN

• Writing used to help students learn course content
• Writing used to help students learn types of writing in discipline
• Assignment sheets--formal, graded writing assignments communicated in writing
• Syllabus explains writing-intensive pedagogy, what makes “W” class different from others that assign writing

WRITING PROCESS

• Writing seen as process that develops through several iterations
• Writing in course includes combination of formal and informal assignments

FEEDBACK

• Response comes from instructor, though additional response from other sources (classmates, tutors, teaching assistants) encouraged

EVALUATION

• Grades come from instructor (evaluation of writing must not be "hired out")
• Students know evaluation criteria
• At least 25% of course grade based on writing