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First Year Writing Program

Our program is designed to introduce you to college-level reading, writing and thinking to ensure success in your studies at Temple. Our courses will encourage you to ask difficult questions, explore ideas from multiple perspectives, and reflect upon your development as a writer and a scholar. You will work collaboratively with your peers, and you will meet one-on-one with your professor at least twice a semester. Our faculty are dedicated to teaching writing, and you will find that they care about your progress almost as much as you do!

In addition, you will have a chance to get to know other students in a small class setting, and you will come in contact with new ideas and academic strategies that will be useful in your other courses and college experiences. Students report that their First Year Writing courses are enlightening and thought-provoking, and they often say that they have learned the value of seeing writing as a process in our courses. Even if you enter the university with solid writing skills, you will find that your skills are meaningfully improved and refined through your First Year Writing courses.

If you have any questions about the First-Year Writing Program, we invite you to stop by the office or contact us via phone or email. The Main Campus office of the First Year Writing Program is room 1046 in Mazur Hall, which is at 1114 Polett Walk, between 11th and 12th Streets and between Montgomery and Berks Streets.

Courses

We offer two courses, English 0701 and English 0802, each of which has equivalent courses for students who have learned English as a Second Language (ESL). These courses provide a year-long sequence of writing instruction. About a quarter of all students take English 0701 and the rest go into English 0802. Placement into your First Year Writing course or courses is determined by Institutional Research and Assessment. If you have questions about your placement, you may write to  or call 215-204-8611.

English 0701 and 0711 (the ESL equivalent)

Introduction to Academic Discourse

Introduction to Academic Discourse develops the reading skills, writing skills, and self-awareness that students need in order to understand and participate in academic discourse. Academic discourse is the system of institutions, scholars, texts, and arguments that creates, shapes, and perpetuates knowledge in the university. These classes are small (currently 14-18 students in each section), and they focus on deep exploration of texts and ideas through class discussion, they offer direct classroom instruction on rhetoric, grammar, and citation to help students employ academic evidence correctly, and they require a minimum of three one-on-one conferences with the instructor to provide intensive, individualized support. Every section of English 0701 and 0711 has a single theme that is explored from multiple perspectives. Students must complete four major writing assignments that are revised and submitted in an end-of-semester final portfolio, and each assignment goes through a peer review and revision process before the portfolio is complete. Students are also taught to reflect upon their own progress and set meaningful learning goals of their own along the way. Portfolios are reviewed through our Teaching Circle process in which trained instructors agree upon grades for student portfolios every semester.

Sample Syllabi:

English 0802, 0812 (the ESL equivalent), and 0902 (the Honors equivalent)

Analytical Reading and Writing

Analytical Reading and Writing is one of the foundation Gen Ed courses required of all Temple students. It is designed to introduce you to the challenges and pleasures of academic writing, not only for Gen Ed but for your entire academic career. The major learning goals of this class include applying your critical reading and thinking skills in college-level writing assignments, creating and defending original arguments that participate fully and thoughtfully in academic discourse, and reflecting upon the writing process as a whole (including revising, practicing peer review, and evaluating one’s own work and progress). These classes are small (14-23 students in each section), feature challenging course readings and in-class debate and discussion, provide two research sessions taught by advanced Temple librarians, and require a minimum of two one-on-one conferences with the instructor to provide support and encouragement for maximum learning. Every section of English 0802, 0812, and 0902 is focused on a complex theme that is explored from multiple perspectives. Students must complete three major writing assignments that are revised and submitted in an end-of-semester final portfolio, and each assignment goes through a peer review and revision process before the portfolio is complete. Students are also asked to reflect upon their own progress and assess their work throughout the semester. Portfolios are reviewed through our Teaching Circle process in which trained instructors agree upon grades for student portfolios every semester.

Sample Syllabi:

FYWP Faculty and Contacts

FYWP Contact

Director
Rachael Groner
(215)204-2212

Associate Director
Cate Almon
(215)204-1820

Manager of Administration
LaTasha Goodman
1041 Mazur Hall

(215) 204-8516