Writing Intensive Courses (WIC)

All Fairmont State students are required to complete at least one designated writing intensive course as part of their core curriculum program or their major field of study. This course will not be in addition to their other courses, but rather a course from those approved as a core curriculum or majors courses. Students cannot use ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, ENGL 1103, ENGL 2221, ENGL 2230, or ENGL 2231 to satisfy the writing intensive course requirement.

Rationale for WIC

Writing intensive (WI) courses benefit students by:

1. Improving writing skills as a means of self-expression
2. Increasing knowledge and understanding of course content
3. Enhancing critical thinking skills
   • Evaluation
   • Analysis
   • Interpretation
   • Inference
   • Explanation
   • Self-regulation

Criteria for WIC

1. Writing is Part of the Learning Outcomes of the Course. The syllabus must reflect the critical role that writing plays in the course. Writing assignments in the WI course may be designed as a means to achieving mastery of course content, developing professional communication, or both.
2. Writing is a Significant Part of the Coursework. A minimum of twenty pages of written work will be assigned in a variety of formal and informal writing assignments and formats throughout the semester. This might include, but is not limited to: research reports, critical essays, laboratory reports, logs, journals, or short in-class responses.
3. Writing is Learned Through Revision. The instructor will provide opportunities for substantial revision in which the student responds to instructor feedback as well as discipline-specific writing instruction.
4. Writing is Explained and Practiced in the Course. Explicit writing instruction must be integral to the course, as part of the course content and as a significant, recurring activity. Through instruction, students should learn about writing, including its disciplinary structures and functions, and should practice writing in a variety of modes and settings appropriate to the discipline. The forms and types of writing instruction that will be used in the course should be explained in the syllabus or supporting teaching materials.
5. Writing is a Significant Part of the Course Grade. At least 30% of the course grade must be based on writing assignments.
6. Prerequisites: English 1101 and English 1102 or English 1103
7. Enrollment: An enrollment cap of twenty students.

Visit the Course Catalog for Writing Intensive course descriptions.