English Dept. College of Arts and Sciences, Washburn University

EN 100 or 101:
Which Course is Right for You?

As you know, almost every university has a first-year writing requirement. At most schools this involves two semesters of freshman composition. At Washburn, however, there is one required freshman composition course (EN 101) and then in the junior year a required course, EN 300: Advanced Composition. Many schools have a placement exam to see if students are prepared for the first writing course; if not, they are placed in a course that will help them develop the skills necessary for a successful completion of EN 101.

At Washburn, we ask YOU to make the important choice about which first-year writing course you should take to begin your freshman year. Every student must pass EN 101: Freshman Composition with a C or better. But many students benefit from an introductory course, EN 100: Developmental English. The choice is one you should make thoughtfully, and we recommend that you consult with your high school counselor, teachers, and others.

EN 100 is taught by full-time professors in the English department who hold either a Ph.D. or an M.F.A. The instructors are dedicated teachers and writers themselves whose full commitment is to make the students better, more confident writers.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding between the two courses:

" I read newspapers and magazines regularly.
" I read books for my own enjoyment.
" I wrote several essays per year in high school.
" I've used computers to write and revise essays.
" My GPA was in the top 1/3 of my senior class.
" My ACT English score was above 21.
" I consider myself a good reader and writer.
" I am comfortable with the rules of grammar and punctuation.

If you answered "yes" to many of the statements above, you are probably ready for EN 101. If you don't think you are ready or if you want to gain more practice in your basic writing skills, you should enroll in EN 100.

If you are undecided, advisors in CUSP and in the English Department will be happy to talk to you and answer any questions you may have.