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Placement

Students whose native language is English are placed in their first term of writing based on the Test of Standard Written English (TSWE) which is ordinarily completed as part of the SAT exam.

If no TSWE score is reported by the Office of Admissions, students must take the TSWE at the Testing Office before registering for a writing course. This test is offered regularly during registration week. Students should contact the Testing Office (238 Student Health Center, phone 6-3230) for the times and locations of this test. It is a 30-minute test, costs $5.00, and is scored immediately so that students have time to register for a writing course. It is not a waiver exam.

WR 049 is a designed for students who need additional preparation in writing. This course offers instruction and practice in sentence and paragraph construction, and grammar and mechanics, in relation to composition. It is described in the current University of Oregon General Bulletin and is offered through the University Continuation Center in conjunction with the English Department. A fee is charged for this course in addition to regular tuition. Students successfully completing WR 049 may register in WR 121 without further placement testing.

International students are placed in writing courses according to examinations given by the American English Institute (107 Pacific, phone 346-3945). These exams are offered regularly during registration by AEI, and students should contact that office for times and locations. AEI offers composition courses (AEIS 110, 111, and 112) to prepare students for WR 121. Contact Alison Evans, Coordinator of Supplementary English Language Training.

Occasionally, students whose native language is not English but who are residents of the United States may have difficulty with Writing 121. AEIS 110, 111, and 112, offered by the American English Institute, often best meets the needs of these students. Students successfully completing the appropriate AEIS 110, 111, 112 course or courses may be recommended to take WR 121 or WR 121E (sections of WR 121 specifically limited to non-native speakers of English but otherwise equivalent to regular sections of WR 121). There are no WR 122 or 123 sections designated for non-native speakers of English.

Students wishing to work independently on any area of writing or language skills may contact the Writing Lab in the Office of Academic Learning Services (68 PLC, phone 6-3226) which provides individually tailored instruction and one-to-one tutoring to all students. Extensive individual tutoring is also provided at a low cost. Contact with this office should be made as early as possible in the term to ensure that tutors will be available.