Guidelines for Completing the Junior Writing
Portfolio
Successful completion of the Junior Writing Portfolio during your junior year is a requirement for graduation at Washington State University. (See Proof of Readiness to Write in the Major.)
This page is designed to provide the step-by-step information you will need to complete the Writing Portfolio.
The Writing Portfolio consists of two parts:
- the Packet (three samples of writing you've already done)
- the Timed Writing (a two-part, impromptu essay)
All students are required to complete at least one of the two parts the semester after reaching 60 credits. The other half needs to be completed the following semester. Transfer students are held to the same requirement.
Your Writing Portfolio should show your best writing capabilities under a variety of academic situations. You need to demonstrate your readiness to successfully handle challenges you may encounter in upper-division writing courses.
STEPS TO SUBMIT YOUR WRITING PORTFOLIO
You may complete the Packet and the Timed Writing in the order your choose.
- PDF version of the text below
THE PACKET
The Packet consists of three samples of your writing that you have completed for three different college-level courses.
To complete the Packet, follow these steps:
Step 1: Purchase a Writing Portfolio envelope at the campus bookstore (approx. $1) or download the required forms below:
- Form 1: Packet Envelope Cover Sheet - (1 total) To be taped on the outside of a 10" x 13" envelope. You must provide an envelope.
- Form 2: Submission Cover Sheet - (3 total) 1 for each sample .
Step 2: Choose three pieces of your best writing. This includes any assigned college-level writing: lab reports, case studies, group projects, creative work, memos, in-class writing, traditional essays, work from other schools, and so forth.
Step 3: Fill out a cover sheet for each selection. Cover sheets are provided in the envelope or are available to download on this site.
Step 4: Ask the instructor who assigned and graded the paper to sign the cover sheet as "Acceptable" or "Outstanding."
If the instructor is unavailable to sign the cover sheet (i.e. transfer paper), an email from the instructor will be an acceptable alternative and should include verification that the paper is your work and deserves a rating of "Acceptable" or "Outstanding." Print the email and attach it to a cover sheet.
Step 5: Turn in the Packet to your campus Writing Portfolio office.
THE TIMED WRITING
The Timed Writing consists of two impromptu essays written during a single, supervised two-hour session. One essay will be argumentative and the other will be a self-evaluation.
To complete the Timed Writing, follow these steps:
Step 1: Sign-up for a Timed Writing session.
-
Branch Campus and DDP students (Contact your campus Writing Portfolio coordinator for registration details)
Step 2: Attend your scheduled session and complete the exam.
Bring a photo ID and two pens (no pencils) to the session. We will provide a Blue Book.
Students with Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to complete the Timed Writing, please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC). All accommodations must be approved through the DRC (Admin Annex Bldg, Room 205). Please stop by or call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability specialist.
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.
SIGN-UP FOR A TIMED WRITING SESSION
Pullman students - select a date below to sign-up. Sessions are from 7-9 p.m. Please arrive at 6:45 p.m so we can begin on time.
| Date: |
Location: |
|
June 3
(Tue) |
CUE 419 |
| July 14 (Mon) |
CUE 419 |
**Please
Read**
Do you have a
registration hold? Visit
How to Remove a Registration Hold for details on the
hold policy.
Branch campus and DDP students - contact your campus Writing Portfolio coordinator for instructions on scheduling a Timed Writing session.
Important Forms (.pdf)
For Advisors and Instructors
Writing Portfolio Contact Information
-
Smith CUE , room 305
- 509-335-7959
- juniorportfolio@wsu.edu
Branch campus and DDP students - contact your campus Writing Portfolio coordinator.