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Writing Program
Online Courses
The following writing courses are currently offered online:
COMP 1000 Basic Writing
COMP 1500 College Writing
COMP 2000 Advanced College Writing
WRIT 2150 Writing for the Professions
Tips for Succeeding in Online Writing Courses
- As you should do with all online courses, explore the course fully before it officially starts. Be sure to locate the course description and policies and the course schedule that lists readings and assignment and due dates. If your instructor uses the WebCT calendar, be sure to look at that often. If your instructor does not use the calendar, make sure that you keep your own calendar so you don't lose track of due dates.
- Use a current version of MS Word to compose your writing assignments and be sure to save all your assignments on a back-up disk, as well as on your hard drive.
- Read your instructor's (and peers') comments on your papers diligently and do your best to incorporate these suggestions into your revisions. Ask questions when you do not understand.
- When preparing writing assignments, be sure to follow your instructor's guidelines carefully. Remember, though you do not turn in a hard copy, a paper you do for an online class should look just as good as a paper you do for a ground-based class. Remember to run spell-check and proofread carefully.
- Don't wait until the last minute to work on and turn in writing assignments. Unforeseen circumstances, like technical difficulties, often occur, and your instructor will likely deduct points for your grade for lateness, regardless of the reason.
- Free online writing tutoring is available from the Office of Academic Services. There is an Online Writing Tutor icon in all online writing courses. Click on the icon to access directions for making an online tutoring appointment. For more information, please contact the Office of Academic Services at (954) 262-8350. The Office of Academic Services also offers free in-person writing tutoring. They are located on the first floor of the Parker Building. You should not hesitate to use their services, especially if your instructor suggests it.
Resource Links
- Paradigm Online Writing Assistant
- Writing the Academic Essay
- Purdue's Online Writing Lab (OWL)-useful handouts on every writing issue
- Guide to Grammar and Writing
- Strunk's Elements of Style
- HyperGrammar
- The Visual Thesaurus
- Dictionary.com
Writing Across the Curriculum
Each undergraduate course includes written assignments, in the language of instruction, that make up at least 25 percent of the final course grade. Each course contains at least eight (8) pages (approximately 2,000 words or their equivalent) of writing, with faculty members providing feedback on these assignments. Written assignments can include (but are not limited to) the following: essays, summaries, memos, lesson plans, journal entries, lab reports, project proposals, progress reports, case studies, and project reviews.
Writing Placement
There are three levels of undergraduate writing courses at NSU:
COMP 1000-Basic Writing
COMP 1500-College Writing
COMP 2000/2010/2020-Advanced College Writing/Introduction to Journalism/Writing about Literature
COMP 1500 and either COMP 2000/2010/2020 are required for most undergraduate students at NSU (Education majors only need COMP 1500). COMP 1000 prepares students for COMP 1500.
PALS (day) students in their first semester will be placed in their appropriate writing course according to standardized test scores. Placement in COMP 1500 requires a minimum SAT score of 520, a minimum ACT English score of 22, or a minimum TOEFL score of 650 (paper) or 280 (computer). If students have a score lower than these, they will be placed automatically in COMP 1000.
Career Development (evening/online) students in their first semester who have standardized test scores will be placed in their appropriate writing course according to the same placement guidelines listed above. If these students lack standardized test scores, they will be placed automatically in COMP 1000.
Students who wish to challenge their writing course placement have the option to take a Writing Challenge Exam (WCE), which consists of a 500-word writing sample that will be evaluated by the Writing Program Coordinator, who will then make the final decision regarding the writing course in which a student will be placed.
A student who wishes to challenge placement must:
- discuss this with his or her academic advisor, who will authorize the Testing Office to accept the student's appointment for a WCE.
- make an appointment with the Testing Office in the Office of Academic Services
- schedule the WCE so that it takes place no later than the end of the first week of classes, in the drop/add period.
Students must COMPLETE WCEs no later than the end of the first week of classes. If students make their appointments too late, they may be unable to secure an appointment in time to meet the deadline. Any challenges requested after the first week will not be considered.
Online students who lack standardized test scores will automatically be placed in COMP 1000. Online students who wish to challenge their placement, and who are not local to an NSU campus, may take the WCE in a WebCT environment. Advisers will direct students in how to complete the WCE in this manner. Any challenges requested after the first week will not be considered.
Please Note:
- Writing Challenge Exams may only be attempted once.
- The Writing Program Coordinator's evaluation of a challenge exam is final.
