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Core Writing Program: Course PlacementFall 2008 Placement for Core Writing Courses: February 4 through August 7, 2008 |
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It's important that you begin your college education in the writing course that best fits your experience and ability. We use the ACT or SAT scores for initial placement into Core Writing Courses:
(For information about AP credit, see below. For information about placement into other courses, please see the UNR General Catalog.) The Core Writing Program is still considering the new SAT II Writing component and how it will be used for placement. Your score on the SAT II Verbal/Critical Reading section will be used for placement. However, we feel that your actual writing, not just your test score, should determine your final placement. If you don't believe your test score reflects your writing ability, you may request a placement evaluation. There are two options for evaluation, and there is a $20.00 fee for either. (Make checks payable to the Board of Regents.) Your placement can not be processed without the fee. For this reason, faxes are not accepted. Portfolios and essays will be processed in approximately 2 weeks. Note: It is important that you begin this placement process as soon as possible in order to ensure class availability. Keep in mind that your writing samples are used to place you in the course that fits your writing ability. The evaluation process is not simply a way to challenge a course. Our goal in placing students is to ensure as best we can their success in writing. We place writers in 098 or 101 primarily according to these criteria: sentence fluency and essay development. Sentence fluency: Your writing should not show recurring problems with basic sentence structure. However, occasional minor problems in usage will not necessarily place you in English 098. Development: Your writing should demonstrate an ability to develop a central idea with explanation, examples, and other kinds of support. Clear, well-organized writing generally leads to placement in English 101. NOTE: If any work in a portfolio is plagiarized, the student will be placed into English 098 automatically. In addition, the student's work and evidence of plagiarism will be kept on file in the Core Writing office, and a copy will be sent to the Office of Student Conduct. English 101 PlacementOption 1 Bring or mail to the Core Writing Program office a portfolio containing three or four essays you've written in the past year. (Hard copies ONLY. Discs will not be accepted.) Portfolios will not be returned. You may send copies and keep your originals. Enclose a cover letter that includes the following: a) Your return address, phone number, and an email address we can use to reach you. b) Your student ID or R number. c) A brief statement describing how we should deliver your results to you (choose one):
d) A brief statement explaining why you believe you should be placed differently than your scores suggest. e) A short description of what the essays in your portfolio show about your writing's strengths and weaknesses. Send your portfolio, $20 payment, a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you have chosen to have your results delivered by mail, and your letter (including items a-e listed above) to:
We prefer the option 1 to option 2 because a portfolio shows more about your writing than an unrevised essay written with little time for reflection and revision. Option 2 Make an appointment with the Core Writing Program Assistant (775-784-6709) to come in and write a placement essay. The appointment must take place during normal office hours, and the writing must be done in the office during a timed period. Bring your paper, pen or pencil, and a dictionary and other writing references you want to use, as well as your $20 placement fee. An essay topic will be provided when you arrive. Finding Out Results As is noted above, you will need to provide contact information and/or a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want your results delivered to you by mail. Otherwise, you will need to contact the Core Writing Program at 775-784-6709 for placement results. English 102 PlacementBring or mail to the Core Writing Program office a portfolio containing three or four essays you've written in the past year. (Printed copies ONLY. Discs will not be accepted.) Portfolios will not be returned. You may send copies and keep your originals. Enclose a cover letter that includes the following: a) Your return address and phone number. b) Your student ID or R number. c) A brief statement describing how we should deliver your results to you (choose one):
d) A brief statement explaining why you believe you should be placed differently than your scores suggest. e) A short description of what the essays in your portfolio show about your writing's strengths and weaknesses. Send your portfolio, $20 payment, a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you have chosen to have your results delivered by mail, and your letter (including items a-e listed above) to:
Finding Out Results As is noted above, you will need to provide contact information and/or a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want your results delivered to you by mail. Otherwise, you will need to contact the Core Writing Program at 775-784-6709 for placement results. AP Exam PlacementFor students in high school Advanced Placement courses, AP credit is awarded as follows:
No more than 6 credits will be awarded for AP exams in English. |
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