Directed Self-Placement and English 105

Introduction to Critical Reading & Writing

Department of English

Dear Students,

To fulfill the basic writing requirement, students must pass Eng 111 Writing Seminar. In our Directed Self-Placement Program (DSP), we offer two starting points for fulfilling that requirement: Eng 105 and Eng 111.  DSP provides you with the means for making an informed decision about which course is the best starting point for you in making the transition to college-level writing. Please read carefully the descriptions of both courses below.

English 111 Writing Seminar is one of the four basic requirements at Wake Forest University that all students enrolled in the College must complete, unless exempted by the Department of English. Exemption may be granted on the basis of Advanced Placement courses completed in high school and a test score of 4 or 5, an I.B. score of 6 or 7 on the higher level, inclusion in the Open Curriculum program, or clear evidence of superior writing ability.

The Writing Seminar introduces students to academic discourse and scholarly writing.  Students learn how to write clear and cogent expository prose. Courses are organized around topical content because intensive study of a well-defined issue or field of study promotes those skills that are essential for academic writing--close reading habits and critical thinking skills--and creates a forum where students can share their points of view, enter critical debate with faculty and with one another, and practice and hone their writing skills.

For students who would like to have more practice in making the transition to college writing, we offer Eng 105 Introduction to Critical Reading & Writing.

Eng 105 Introduction to Critical Reading & Writing is an elective 3 credit course designed for students who would like to have additional practice in making the transition to college-level writing.  This course shares similar goals as Eng 111 – to write clear and cogent expository prose.  Like Eng 111, it is organized around intensive study of a topic in order to promote close reading habits and critical thinking skills in a forum where students can enter critical debate with faculty and classmates, and hone their writing skills.  The main difference between the two courses is that Eng 105 is a transitional course providing extra time in developing reading and writing strategies.  (For the topic description, please click here.)

After taking Eng 105, students enroll in Eng 111.  Eng 105 is offered only Fall semester.

So which course is the best starting place for you?  The table of criteria below offers a helpful comparison of the two courses; please read it carefully.  In addition, we encourage you to discuss the choice with your academic advisor or contact the directors of the English Writing Program Professors Anne Boyle and Tom McGohey.  Above all, we encourage you to examine and  assess your own experience with reading and writing; at this point, you know your own strengths and weaknesses better than we do.  Ultimately, the decision will be yours to make. If you would like to discuss your  decision in person, I invite you to attend a meeting, English 105 Directed Self- Placement, during Orientation, on Thursday, August 20, 430-500, in A204 Tribble Hall.  If you can not attend the meeting but have questions about Directed Self-Placement, we invite you to contact either Dr. Anne Boyle, Director of Writing Program, at 758-5400, boyle@wfu.edu, or Mr. Tom McGohey, Associate Director of Writing Program, at 758-5397; mcgohetw@wfu.edu . 

Sincerely, 
Mr. Tom McGohey, Associate Director, Writing Program

Wake Forest University • Winston-Salem, North Carolina • 336.758.5000
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