By asking you to
write this placement essay, we get a sample of your writing ability
early in the semester. We also get a chance to be sure be sure
that you are properly placed in the course for which you are registered.
You receive the topic for the placement essay on the
first day of your 101 class. You are asked to think of the
general approach you will take to the topic, formulate an outline or
other organizational strategy, and write the first paragraph of the
essay before coming to your second class.
This first paragraph should demonstrate your ability to
produce carefully edited writing--the sort that you would write for the
final version of an essay. You write the rest of this essay, which
should be 600 to 700 words long, in a blue book during your second class
(classes are 50 minutes long for Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes).
In order for your essay to be considered excellent,
the opening paragraph should introduce the topic in an interesting way
and lead up to a thesis statement that is not self evident.
Because the opening paragraph was written out of class when you had time
to edit your work carefully, this paragraph should be typed and contain
virtually no mechanical errors (spelling, punctuation). The rest
of the essay should consist of well-developed and coherent paragraphs
that contain selected and sufficient examples, illustrations, and
explanations to support your ideas. The essay should advance an
argument that is reasonable and consistent, one that considers your
audience and probable objections a reader might make to your assertions.
Your sentences should be clear and well structured. Although your
editing does not need to be perfect, you should in general be following
the conventions for edited American English and the spelling and
punctuation should be reasonably correct.
Even if you do not succeed in passing out of the course,
this placement essay gives your instructor a good idea of what your
writing strengths and weaknesses are.
Last updated:
05/03/2007.
