Writing Portfolio at WSU Spokane
The Writing Portfolio is a General Education Requirement for graduation. It is a junior-level diagnostic to determine if a student’s writing abilities have advanced in ways that can handle the writing demands of upper-division courses and courses in the major.
The writing portfolio contains two requirements:
- A timed writing session
- The portfolio packet with three writing samples signed off by instructors
Initiation of the Writing Portfolio is required no later than the end of the first semester after completing 60 credit hours.
Ideally, you should complete the Writing Portfolio prior to enrolling in the Writing in the Major (M) courses. Writing portfolio holds will be placed on students’ registration until the portfolio requirement is completed.
Timed Writing Session
The timed writing session is two hours and consists of an argumentative essay and a self-evaluation. Students must have a photo ID to take the exam.
Several test dates are scheduled on the Spokane campus each semester. Fall 2008 dates are
- Friday, September 19, 10 am to 12 noon
- Thursday, October 16, 3 to 5 pm
- Wednesday, October 22, 8 to 10 am
- Tuesday, October 28, 10 am to 12 noon
- Tuesday, November 4, 3 to 5 pm
- Thursday, December 18, 1 to 3 pm
Contact Liz West (weste@wsu.edu or 509.358.7534) to register or to arrange a different time.
Writing Portfolio Packet
Students may purchase the writing portfolio packet materials from The Bookie or download them. Three papers must be submitted from college level classes with cover sheets signed by the instructor. The three papers must be original graded work, work that has the instructor signature on the cover sheet, OR has attached email verification from the instructor.
Students may turn in anything written for college-level courses, including lab reports, case studies, essays, essay exams. The papers must be submitted in the writing portfolio envelope or in a 9x13 envelope with the writing portfolio cover sheet attached. Students must complete all information on the Writing Portfolio envelope cover.
After Completion
Your Writing Portfolio will be evaluated once you have submitted the Packet and have completed the Timed Writing. Because the Writing Portfolio fulfills a General Education Requirement, it will be evaluated by a cross-departmental committee of WSU faculty. The committee will give it one of three ratings:
Pass with Distinction
The work represents the top 10% of WSU junior-level writing. This achievement will be entered into your WSU transcript. Your Writing Portfolio requirement will be fulfilled.
Pass
The work shows a proficiency in writing suitable for upper-division work at WSU. Your Writing Portfolio requirement will be fulfilled.
Needs Work
The work shows a need for additional, structured writing assistance in upper-division course work. You will be required to take additional course work in the form of a one-credit writing tutorial taken in conjunction with one of your Writing in the Major [M] courses, or a three-credit writing course. You must complete the additional course assigned to you in order to satisfy the Writing Portfolio requirement.
Results will be sent to your myWSU account in the form of a notice.
For more information, please contact Liz West (weste@wsu.edu or 509.358.7534) or visit the Writing Center website.