Writing Assignments in a Writing Intensive Course
Generally, the kinds of writing we assign in a WI course run the range between simple/easy and complex/challenging. For the sake of simplicity, we break the kinds of assignments into three kinds: low-stakes, medium-stakes, and high-stakes. Faculty should work on building up to the high stakes assignments by assigning plenty of low- and medium-stakes writing. In general, a writing to learn curriculum relies more on the low- to medium-stakes assignments than on the high-stakes. The process is comparable to quizzes and exams: students use the quizzes to strengthen themselves for higher-stakes examinations, and students will not master the materials all at once. By emphasizing low- and medium-stakes writing, and a variety of grade weights and revision opportunities, faculty help students get control of the content before putting them on the spot with higher-stakes assignments.
Some examples of the kinds of writing WI faculty assign:
Informal, Low-Stakes Assignments (ongoing through the semester, generally unrevised, often not graded):
- Journal entries, logs, or "idea" notebooks
- In-class writing exercises, free writes, or "one minute" essays
- Blackboard "Discussion Board" posts
Shorter, Medium-Stakes Assignments (3 to 5 page assignments; generally some revision, generally graded):
- Correspondence (reflections emailed to you; reading responses emailed to the group)
- Short Reports
- Abstracts of readings
- Microthemes (short essays)
- Proposals
- Critical Analyses of readings or disciplinary conventions
Extended, High-Stakes Assignments (10 to 15 page assignments; revised, graded)
- Long paper or report
- Technical writing assignment
- Extended proposal, including research projects
- Case studies