Writing at UM-Dearborn
An Overview
Writing well lies at the heart of a liberal arts education. To express oneself
clearly and confidently is to join the ongoing conversations that shape
academic inquiry. Effective writing fosters critical thinking and thoughtful
reflection. Leaders in industry, government, and education point increasingly
to effective communications skills as crucial in meeting the challenges
of a diverse, changing society.
At the University of Michigan-Dearborn, we are committed to helping students
develop excellent writing abilities. A primary goal of undergraduate education
at UM-Dearborn is to "aid students in learning to read, write, listen,
and speak effectively." From first-year composition courses to upper-level
seminars, faculty and students use writing to report, to analyze, to argue,
and to explore.
The Writing Program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn offers a range
of courses and academic support to help students develop as confident and
effective writers. All undergraduate students take six credit hours of composition;
many take additional upper division writing electives. The Campus Writing
Center offers peer tutoring and a well-equipped computer lab open to students
across the university.
Computer-assisted instruction
Writing faculty at UM-D have led the way in exploring how computers can
be used to teach writing more effectively. Well over half of the writing
classes are taught in a computer-equipped classroom, and several faculty
members have received grants to further develop computer-assisted writing
instruction on campus.
Campus Writing Center
The Campus Writing Center, located in the CASL Annex, Room 1131, offers
a range of services to support writing across the campus. Experienced peer
tutors are available, either by appointment or on a drop-in basis, to consult
with students at every stage of writing a paper, from pre-writing through
drafting and final editing. Students may call for an appointment at 593-5543.
The Writing Center also houses a computer lab with facilities available
to students for word-processing, review of grammar and mechanics, and critical
thinking.
The services of the Writing Center are available to any UM-D student, whether
enrolled in a composition class or writing a paper in another course. The
Campus Writing Center is an important link in the on-going efforts to teach
writing throughout the university.
The Online Writing Center offers resources for both writers and faculty who use writing in their courses.
The Writing Center publishes Cross Talk, a
regular newsletter highlighting the teaching of writing at UM-D.
An online edition will be available here soon.
Composition Placement Examination
Every incoming student is required to take the Composition Placement Examination
administered through the Orientation Office (593-5550). This 2-hour
examination is offered throughout the year. The results, along with other
relevant information (standardized test scores, high school grades, transfer
credit) are used to place students in the appropriate composition course.
woodland@umich.edu