First-Year Writing (FW)

The FW course  (1 course; 4 credits) teaches the composition of sound and effective written arguments suitable for academic contexts.


The course should encourage student writers to think critically as they develop logical, complex arguments, and to develop a repertoire of skills in invention, drafting, revision and editing.

Knowledge Areas

Develop the following understandings about writers and writing:

  • writers make diverse choices, depending on audience, occasion, and experience,
  • writers consider the ways that language permits communication, shapes thought and changes over time,
  • discussion, debate, research, and inquiry can be a source of growth and challenge for writers,
  • most significant issues are complex and often contain competing perspectives, which must be weighted and considered when constructing written arguments.  


Skills addressed

Strengthen the following abilities:

  1. Read using analytical and evaluative skills necessary for effective development of written argument:

    • read and respond to a wide variety of written texts that demand close attention; accurately
    • represent the ideas and information in those texts through paraphrase, summary, and synthesis,
    • raise questions, mark a text, take reading notes, and create outlines,
    • analyze, at a level appropriate for first-year students, how published writers construct argument. 

  2. Use composing skills that support thoughtful planning, drafting, and revising:

    • apply a variety of invention techniques,
    • create multiple drafts in order to strengthen both argument and language,
    • revise for significance, focus, precision, conciseness, and liveliness,
    • consider the responses of actual readers. 

  3. Use writing to construct, and to present, strong arguments:

    • frame and analyze problems,
    • analyze and address the perspective of intended readers,
    • develop and evaluate claims,
    • develop evidence to support claims and properly document that evidence when appropriate. 

  4. Develop coherence in written texts:

    • establish a purpose for each written text that is clear and consistent throughout,
    • create sentences and paragraphs that grow and build on each other in a logical progression,
    • develop clear relationships among all points, striving for internal consistency. 

  5. Develop information literacy skills:

    • use a general periodical database effectively,
    • complete designated tutorials and quizzes on the College’s online Information Literacy Course,
    • practice using a Research Log,
    See Information Literacy skills for First-Year Writing Courses for details.

Assignments

Complete at least four papers (three to five pages each) incorporating elements of the writing process, with commentary from the instructor both in the working draft stage and on the submitted final draft. Peer critique is encouraged as are opportunities to practice library research and the integration and documentation of source material.

Complete online Information Literacy tutorials and quizzes.