MCC Daily Tribune

Be HIP, Become WR-Certified

If you assign reports, memos, field journals, case write-ups, article reviews, capstone projects, detailed lesson plans, digital portfolios, prospectuses, and more, then chances are high that your courses might already meet the requirements for Writing Intensive designation--or at least they might be very close! Now is the perfect time to take the formal step in becoming WR-certified. Begin by reviewing the Guidelines for Writing-Intensive Courses, making any necessary adaptions to your existing course(s), and then submitting a WR-course proposal. There is time for you to become certified and have your WR section(s) on the books when registration opens in a couple weeks.

WR courses follow the central principle of writing-to-learn, where course content is enhanced through activities and assignments that enable students to communicate what they're learning in styles and modes and voices that correspond to your discipline. Whether verbally transcribed, written in class, or revised and edited on a computer, writing is applied learning. When this happens through repeated practice across all their courses, students build their skills and their confidence when it comes to written communication.

Beyond your individual class, certifying your courses as WR benefits students in two larger ways:

1. Students who take at least 30 credits of WR courses and maintain a B average among those courses will receive WR designation on their transcripts when they graduate
2. When WR courses are offered truly across the curriculum, rather than just in little pockets or only for certain programs and majors, we make another step toward equity for our students. High impact learning experiences should be available to all students at MCC, regardless of pathway, degree type, or major.

Submit your WR proposal today! 

Questions? Please contact Amy Burtner.

Amy Burtner
Writing Across the Curriculum
03/21/2024