WHO SHOULD TAKE FWIS 100?

Based on the First-Year Writing Assessment results, some students are required to complete FWIS 100: Introduction to Academic Writing to develop skills they need to thrive in a FWIS course. Upon successful completion of FWIS 100 in the fall, students must take a general FWIS course in the spring in order to fulfill the Writing and Communication Requirement at Rice.

WHAT FWIS 100 COVERS

FWIS 100 introduces students to academic writing through topic-based courses - designed to develop skills in critical reading and writing.

Students will participate in workshops and group discussions, as well as individual consultations with Writing Coaches outside of class time. Typical assignments might include engaging with scholarship, analyzing texts, and constructing and supporting original arguments in academic papers.

HOW DO I CHOOSE MY FWIS 100 COURSE TOPIC?

Unlike general FWIS courses, all FWIS 100 courses carry the same “100” number. However, each FWIS 100 section is a different class on a different topic. To choose your preferred section, you should first review the topic descriptions on the FWIS 100 Course Topics page, then find the appropriate section in the Course Scheduler.

FWIS 100 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After taking FWIS 100, students will be able to:

1. Distinguish between academic and other genres of writing and reading
2. Understand purpose, argument, and structure of college-level readings
3. Improve sentence-level accuracy of Standard Written English
4. Use appropriate academic tone in writing
5. Construct a written academic argument with a thesis, supporting claims, and relevant evidence
6. Recognize the academic practice of using and acknowledging the work of others in one’s own writing.