Evaluating Students' Ability to Write for Honors 298 (Writing and Research)
All students admitted to the Honors College must take this exam unless they have credit for a 200-level composition course from another college or university. An AP score of 4 or higher in English composition does not fulfill this requirement.
The diagnostic requires students to write two essays during a single, supervised session that address the same kinds of writing tasks they will encounter in Honors 298 (Honors Writing and Research).
The exam
- allows two hours to complete the essays
- begins with 15 minutes for pre-writing
- requires two pens and a photo ID
- provides a passage of test written at a level of sophisitication common in college-level courses and require students to write about the passage with college-level intellectual strategies
Evaluation and results
The diagnostic is evaluated on how well students comprehend the reading and how well their writing addresses the characteristics of academic writing (e.g. focus, organization, support, and proofreading).
Result categories include placement into ...
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English 298 (Honors Writing and Research)
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English 298 + 102 (Honors Writing and Research taken concurrently with a one credit, weekly writing tutorial arranged and administered by the WSU Writing Center)
Testing Times, Supplies, Fee
The Honors College Writing Diagnostic is offered ...
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as part of the summer Alive! orientation sessions
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at a session during WSU's Week of Welcome in conjunction with the Honors College Orientation
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in conjunction with spring semester priority registration
Check our calendar for scheduled sessions or call 509-335-7959 with questions.
Student accounts will be billed a fee of $15 for taking the Honors College Writing Diagnostic.