Welcome Course Descriptions Examples Survey

Step 1: Reflection

This page contains important information about reflecting on your experiences and the courses IUPUI offers to help you grow as a writer. It explains

  • your first steps in selecting a course
  • why writing is so important in college
  • how to use the checklist below to determine which course is right for you.

Your first step in building your college writing skills is to select the writing course you’ll start in. You’ll need to select a course that fits your experience, your personality, and your needs. This document explains the choices available to native speakers of English and offers some guidance as to making your selection. We hope you’ll talk about your choice with people who know you and your writing well: your parents, spouse, or partner; your English teacher; your friends.

Why Writing is So Important at College
One of IUPUI’s most important priorities for your education is that it enhance your writing abilities. In your working life, in your family life, and in your school life, writing plays an important role, and your courses here will introduce you to the communications skills you’ll need for whatever future you envision.

As an IUPUI student, you’ll find yourself required to read and write in almost all your classes. Some of that writing will be informal, other writing will be formal; some will require research, some will not. In some classes, you’ll have a heavy reading load along with writing assignments. Your introduction to college writing will begin in a first-year course, and for most students, it continues in a second writing course taken by the mid-point of your degree plan. This course sequence will prepare you for the variety of writing and reading you’ll encounter at IUPUI. Your other courses will rely on and extend the writing skills highlighted in those earlier courses.

The courses available
Native speakers of English have a choice of three writing classes as a starting point: English W130, Principles of Composition; English W131, Elementary Composition I, and English W140, Elementary Composition I—Honors. Most degree programs require students to pass English W131 or W140 with a grade of C or better. If you choose to start in English W130, you’ll move to W131 (or W140) in the next semester. If you are a non-native speaker of English, IUPUI requires that you take the ESL Placement Test. Results from that test will determine which writing course is best for you. Follow this link to the ESL site for more information about that test.

• W130/W131, the Stretch Program, stretches introductory composition over two semesters for students who would like more time to develop the reading and writing skills they will need to succeed in college. The course helps students read college-level materials more effectively, to select topics for essays, and to focus, develop, and revise their writing. W130/W131 allows teachers and classmates to work together for two semesters.

• W131 is a one-semester first-year composition course that introduces students to the demands of college reading and writing. The course helps students read college-level materials more effectively, to select topics of essays, and to focus, develop, and revise their writing the kinds of reading and thinking skills necessary for effective college writing. Students are asked to read and respond to a non-fiction book early in the course. W131 prepares students to move to a research-based second writing course, required by most programs.

• W140 is a one-semester first-year honors composition course designed for advanced writers. Requirements are similar to W131. However, W140 offers more in-depth analysis of readings, more extensive discussion, and more exploration or writing styles and techniques. W140 prepares students to move to a research-based second writing course, required by most programs.

Use the information and the descriptions that follow to help you identify the course that seems best suited to you. Be sure to think about the writing you have done in classes, in the workplace, and in other parts of your life as well as the feedback you have received about that work. Before you make a choice, talk to people who know your writing and who know you well. Though you may discover characteristics that you possess in more than one list of descriptors, choose the course that aligns most closely with what you know about yourself and your writing.

A Checklist to Determine Which Course is Right for you

Should I take W130/131?
If you want some extra time to learn about the demands of college writing and reading, consider taking English W130/ W131. In this sequence, you’ll do more writing than in W131 alone; you’ll keep the same classmates for a year, and you’ll spend more time on reading strategies. Here is a checklist of characteristics that should help you decide if W130/W131 is for you (remember if you are a non-native speaker you need to take the ESL writing placement test):
  • I’d like to increase my confidence about writing.
  • I want to enhance my reading skills.
  • Teachers or co-workers have suggested that I need to improve my writing.
  • Generally, I read only when I have to.
  • I learn well when I can work with the same people for an extended period of time.
  • I like to take my time learning new things.


Should I take W131?
If you are fairly proficient doing school writing, you may be able to move into English W131. Here is a checklist of characteristics that should help you decide if W131 is for you (remember if you are a non-native speaker you need to take the ESL writing placement test):
  • I write well enough to get by or get the job done.
  • My reading skills are adequate for my needs.
  • Teachers or co-workers generally consider my writing acceptable.
  • I sometimes read for my own enjoyment and to find out about things that interest me.
  • I know I should revise my writing, but I don’t take the time or don’t know how.
  • If I’m pushed to get something done, I usually meet the challenge.

Should I take W140?
W140 is a good choice if you’re fairly proficient developing thesis-based essays and want to work more on style and research issues; W140 provides an enriched W131 experience. Here is a checklist of general characteristics that should help you decide if W140 is for you (remember if you are a non-native speaker you need to take the ESL writing placement test):
  • I consider myself a relatively experienced writer.
  • I read widely for enjoyment and/or to find out about things that interest me.
  • Teachers or co-workers have often praised my writing.
  • My classmates or co-workers often ask for my advice about their writing.
  • I can produce good writing in a short period of time.

Still unsure? If you are still unsure about which English course to take, talk with a peer advisor in the University Writing Center at orientation (or call the Writing Program office in advance: 274-3842). We will be happy to help with your decision.