Student sits in a classroom writing

The Writing Requirement and Writing Placement at RWU

All RWU students must complete the University’s six-credit Writing Requirement to graduate. There are two paths students can choose from to complete this requirement:

Path One

The two-course sequence the majority of students take:

  • WTNG 102: How Writing Works (3 credits)
  • One WTNG course at the 200 level (3 credits)

Path Two

The three-course sequence for students who want additional support

  • WTNG 100: Introduction to Academic Writing (3 credits) 
  • WTNG 102: How Writing Works (3 credits)
  • One WTNG course at the 200 level (3 credits)

Please note: Students who choose Path One should plan to complete WTNG 102 by the end of their first year. Students who select Path Two will take WTNG 100 in their first semester, and in the following semesters, they will take the two writing courses that fulfill the University's Writing Requirement. WTNG 100 counts toward graduation as an elective course.

In WTNG 100, students will:

  • Focus on the connection between reading and writing.
  • Extensively practice active reading strategies.
  • Write assignments of 1-3 pages in length that include one or two sources.

In WTNG 102, students will:

  • Develop a conceptual map of how writing works.
  • Analyze texts written for expert and non-expert audiences.
  • Write assignments of 4-5 pages in length that include multiple sources.

Directed Self-Placement

To help new students choose the right path for them to fulfill the University Writing Requirement, they must complete the directed self-placement online survey (DSP). The link is at the bottom of this page. The DSP survey is not a test and it does not require a writing sample. It takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It is designed to help students choose the writing course that is the best fit for them to start with in their first year.

Students who have any questions about Writing Placement or feel uncertain about their choice can contact the 100-Level Writing Program Coordinator, Dr. Brian Hendrickson, at bhendrickson@rwu.edu.

Students can also visit the FAQ page at Student Academic Success—Academic Placement.

Begin the Directed Self-Placement Survey Here