|  Although
the fields of study and types of writing students do differ from course
to course, all of the courses have the following aims in common:
1. Introduce writing and revision at the college level.
2. Highlight the importance of writing as an essential skill for students
of every subject taught at the college.
3. Use writing as a way to learn--to discover connections and seek
to understand subjects that are substantive, challenging, and engaging.
4. Link writing to reasoning: in developing writing skills, students
also learn how to organize thoughts, systematize and relate ideas, and
formulate arguments.
5. Focus attention on writing and reading together: in becoming more
effective writers, students also become more effective readers. Writers
who know how to choose the right word to convey a meaning, how to vary
the structure of sentences to hold the interest of readers, and how
to organize their points into a coherent whole also possess the ability
to comprehend other writers' sophisticated presentations of complex
ideas.
 Writing
assignments will vary according to the field of study. For example, students
in an English class may write an analysis of a short story; students of
Russian Culture might write a research report on an aspect of Russian
culture; biology students will practice writing lab reports. The process
may differ also: most professors will ask that students confer on papers
with the professor or Writing Associate, or participate in peer-review
workshops during the revision stage. Students might be asked to consult
with a research librarian on how to locate, read, and incorporate findings.
The course might involve one or more essay examinations or a final portfolio.
Whatever the method, however, students will receive intensive instruction
on and practice in writing at the college level.
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