M

eeting the First Writing Requirement

Students may meet the first writing requirement in one of six ways:

  • By successfully completing the two-semester Introduction to Academic Argument (ENWR 105 + 106).

  • By successfully completing the two-semester ESL version of Introduction to Academic Argument (ENWR 105 + 107 in the fall, followed by spring ENWR 108).Note that this path is for students who are still developing their skills in English as a second language; students required to fulfill the first writing requirement in the ESL path will be identified by the Admissions Office, the Summer Transition Program, or the Professional and Academic Writing Program.

  • By successfully completing Accelerated Introduction to Academic Argument (ENWR 110).

  • By successfully completing Advanced Academic Argument (ENWR 210).By successfully completing the three-semester Pavilion Writers sequence, ENWR 215/216/217. Note: currently by invitation only.

  • By exemption.

Although instructors (especially in ENWR 105/106 and 105/107/108) will offer guidance on questions of mechanical correctness where needed, students are assumed to be competent in the basics of English grammar before entering UVA. Instead of offering grammar drills, these courses help students identify and frame academic questions, support and extend conceptual arguments, and develop a range of prose styles.

Students must meet the first writing requirement during their first year at UVA.

A note for transfer students: The goals of first-year writing courses at other universities vary widely. Therefore, although transfer course credit may be granted, exemption from UVAs first writing requirement is *not* automatically given to students who have completed a writing or composition course elsewhere.

Transfer students whose test scores do not exempt them from UVA's first writing requirement are typically advised to meet the requirement in ENWR 210. If you feel you should be exempt and Dean Papovich's office does not grant you an exemption from the first writing requirement, you may submit a portfolio to the writing program for review. Please note that the deadline for review of 2007-2008 placement portfolios is August 1, 2007. If you miss that deadline, portfolios will next be read in August 2008.

STUDENTS MAY EARN EXEMPTION IN THREE WAYS:

Single-measure exemption. You are automatically exempt from the first writing requirement if at least one of the following statements is true:

  1. You are an Echols scholar.

  2. You scored 720 or above on the writing portion of the SAT exam.

  3. You scored a 5 on the AP English language subject test.

Composite exemption. You are automatically exempt from the first writing requirement if at least one of the following three statements is true:

  1. You scored 680 or above on the writing portion of the SAT exam, AND you scored a 5 or above on the IB (higher A 1) exam.

  2. You scored 680 or above on the writing portion of the SAT exam, AND you scored a 4 (or above) on the AP English language subject test.

  3. You scored 700 or above on the writing portion of the SAT exam, AND you scored a 4 or above on the AP English literature subject test.

Portfolio exemption. If you are not automatically exempt, you may be able to earn an exemption from the first writing requirement through portfolio review. You are a good candidate for portfolio review if any of the following is true of you:

  1. You have experience writing argument papers at the college level.

  2. You scored 670 or above on the the writing portion of the SAT exam.

  3. You scored a 4 or 5 on the AP English literature subject test.

  4. You scored a 4 on the AP English language subject test.

  5. You scored a 5 or above on the IB (higher A1) exam.

  6. You have successfully completed courses in academic argument at another university.

If you are exempt from the first writing requirement but wish to take a course in academic argument during your first year, consider registering for ENWR 210 (Advanced Academic Writing).

Note: Portfolios for either fall 2007 or spring 2008 exemption must be received by the Writing Program no later than August 1st, 2007. Portfolios missing that deadline will be read by the review committee that convenes in August 2008.

If you are not exempt,

  • You should take ENWR 210 (Advanced Academic Writing) if you scored 670-710 on the writing portion of the SAT. Non-exempt transfer students should also register for ENWR 210.

(Register for ENWR 210 for the fall semester if you play on a varsity team that travels primarily in the spring OR if you are a transfer student who has not received an exemption OR if you are repeating the course OR if your social security number ends in a zero or an even digit. Otherwise, take ENWR 210 in the spring semester.)

  • You should take ENWR 110 (Accelerated Intro to Academic Writing) if you scored 490-660 on the writing portion of the SAT.

(Register for ENWR 110 for the fall semester if you play on a varsity team that travels primarily in the spring OR if you are repeating the course OR if your social security number ends in a zero or an even digit. Otherwise, take ENWR 110 in the spring semester.)

  • You should take ENWR 105/107/108 if the Admissions Office or the Writing Program requires that you complete the first writing requirement in this sequence which augments the usual first writing requirement curriculum with ESL instruction and support.

(Regardless of ID number or athletic status, register for ENWR 105 and ENWR 107 in your first fall semester at UVa. Register for ENWR 108 in the spring semester after you successfully complete ENWR 105 and 107. You need to complete ENWR 105, 107, and 108 to complete the first writing requirement)

  • You should take ENWR 105/106: Intro to Academic Writing otherwise.

(Regardless of ID number or athletic status, register for ENWR 105 in your first semester at UVa. Register for ENWR 106 in the semester after you successfully complete ENWR 105. You need to complete both ENWR 105 and 106 to complete the first writing requirement)

How do I submit a portfolio of argument essays for review?

If you feel that your test scores do not fairly represent your ability to write academic arguments, you may ask the Associate Director of the Academic Writing program to review a portfolio of your work. To do so, please send a short letter requesting a portfolio placement review and indicating what placement you consider appropriate to your ability level (i.e., ENWR 105/106, 110, or exempt). The letter should indicate your test scores, briefly describe your experience with writing academic arguments, and provide an e-mail address at which you can be contacted. For record keeping purposes, please also include your UVa ID number.

Along with this letter, include copies of three of your strongest academic argument essays. (Note: rather than simply presenting a narrative or factual summary, each of these essays should present a focused claim, evaluate counter-claims and relevant contrary evidence, and develop a well-supported argument.)

Send your portfolio to Jon D'Errico, UVA Dept. of English, 219 Bryan Hall, Box 400121, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4121. Portfolios cannot be returned, so please send only copies of your essays--not the originals. Also, portfolios sent as e-mail or e-mail attachments cannot be accepted because of the number of submissions we recieve, the portfolio committee's need to have printed copies to evaluate, and the risk of computer viruses.

You will be notified of the results of the portfolio review by e-mail as soon as possible after the reading. Note: Portfolios for either fall 2007 or spring 2008 exemption must be *received by* the Writing Program no later than August 1, 2007. As we anticipate that the review committee will meet on August 2, this is not a flexible deadline. Results from the August 2007 reading will be e-mailed no sooner than August 3 and no later than August 6.

If you have further questions regarding first writing requirement placement, please e-mail the writing program administrators.