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Last Revised: 03/10/2005

Specific Guidelines and Criteria for Courses Submitted in

WRITTEN COMPOSITION

Specific guidelines and criteria in Written Composition require that courses should provide instruction and practice in writing, analyzing, and evaluating standard edited American English. Students should meet prerequisite basic skills in grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and sentence and paragraph structure before enrollment in freshman-level academic credit courses in Written Composition. These prerequisites should be determined at each institution through placement examinations or writing samples. The following are specific guidelines and criteria for the first freshman-level course (English 101) in Written Composition:

  1. Develop and use strategies for writing essays from development of subject through revision of essay;
  2. Develop and use focused structure, incorporating logical and coherent generalizations and details on a variety of subjects;
  3. Develop basic reference and documentation skills with emphasis on quotes and paraphrases;
  4. Develop analytical and critical reading skills;
  5. Must include at least six (6) extended compositions or equivalent assignments;
  6. Should be taught with 25 or fewer students per section, to the extent possible, in compliance with NCTE standards;
  7. Grading must be based on at least 80% of grades earned on compositions;
  8. A grade of C or better must be required for passing or for transfer of credit.

Specific guidelines and criteria for the second freshman-level course (English 102) in Written Composition are:

  1. Meet prerequisite of a grade of C in the first freshman-level course in Written Composition;
  2. Require formal, analytical essays;
  3. Require a research project using outside sources and/or references effectively and legally (e.g., documented essay);
  4. Develop analytical and critical reading skills;
  5. Must include at least six (6) extended compositions or equivalent assignments;
  6. Should be taught with 25 or fewer students per section, to the extent possible, in compliance with NCTE standards;
  7. Grading must be based on at least 80% of grades earned on compositions;
  8. Require a grade of C or better for passing or for transfer of credit.