• About
  • Writing in the College
  • Celebrating Student Writing
• Requirements
  • Primary Writing Requirement
  • Upper Level Requirement
• Courses
  • WRT 105 & 105E
  • WRT 105E Extension
  • WRT 108
  • WRT 245/ENG 285
  • WRT 571/ENG 571
  • WRT 572/ENG 572
• Writing Center
  • Resources for Writers
  • Resources for Faculty
  • Resources for Tutors
• Employment
  • Graduate Student Employment Opportunities
  • Undergrad Student Employment Opportunities

College Writing Program

Criteria for WRT 105/WRT 105E Placement

Please note: WRT 105 and WRT 105E were formerly CAS 105 and CAS 105E.

• Essay Structure
• The essay presents a clear descriptive or analytical thesis.
• Individual paragraphs build on one another and develop the essay’s thesis.

• Strength of Argument
• The essay follows a logical pattern of development; it uses, for example, paragraphs to advance the argument as the paper proceeds (as opposed to reiterating ideas).
• The essay presents others’ ideas accurately and incorporates evidence for claims.

• Language Use
• The prose style easily communicates ideas; language usage problems do not interfere greatly with the flow of the text.
• The essay generally uses appropriate transitions between paragraphs.
• The writer demonstrates an awareness of his or her intended audience, using appropriate tone and language.

• Critical Awareness of One’s Own Writing
• The student demonstrates awareness of his/her strengths and weaknesses as a writer.
• The student articulates and provides a rationale for writing choices and/or revision.