About

An overview and description of the writing program at Denison University.

An Integral Part of All Fields of Study

Writing plays a central role in a liberal arts education. It is not a separate field of study but an integral part of all fields of study. Effective writers exhibit the following characteristics:

They take intellectual risks, creatively explore different ideas, and see the connection between critical reading, thinking, and writing.
They regard writing as both a product and a process; they develop and refine their own habits of researching and writing, practice and incorporate techniques of drafting and revising, view writing with a critical eye, and respond adeptly to feedback from other readers.
They understand that writers join a larger community; they see a piece of writing as participation in a broader, ongoing conversation, and are aware of the needs of diverse audiences.

The Denison Writing Program encourages students to cultivate these habits of mind. The program develops writers who view writing as critical thinking and understand that writing is a means to explore and learn a subject. Writing is a lifelong endeavor that Denisonians carry with them and continue to nurture in their post-graduate careers.

Mission Statement

The Writing Program affirms the importance Denison places on our students learning to write, not only as a means of expressing themselves, but also as a way of learning. We believe that good writers take intellectual risks, explore ideas, make connections, and participate in broader, on-going conversations through writing. Our program aims to develop these habits of mind in our students. We expect them to be able to make a cogent argument, anticipate and meet the needs of their audience, gather and synthesize evidence, and apply the conventions of style and grammar. By repeated experiences in writing-intensive courses that are placed within the context of academic programs across the university students will develop their writing skills and deepen their liberal arts education. This program consists of three parts:

W101 - First-Year Writing Workshop taken during the first year,
Two writing- intensive courses (W-overlays) after the completion of the W101 Writing Workshop, one of which must be completed by the end of the sophomore year, and
Any writing requirement specific to each student’s major (as applicable).

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About

An Integral Part of All Fields of Study