Incorporating Writing into Your Syllabus

Here are some questions to think about as you decide how to make writing serve your instructional goals.

1. What do I want to accomplish with writing?
   • Facilitate critical thinking?
   • Promote thoughtful reading?
   • Learn how well students are synthesizing the readings or applying concepts to broader issues?
   • Give students a chance to grapple in writing with key issues of western civilization?
2. What value do I place on the following:
   • Informal writing?
   • Formal products?
   • Revision?
3. To what extent do I want writing to provide structure for my course?
4. How can I structure assignments so as to challenge students through writing over the semester?
5. As I incorporate writing into my course, am I considering the demands on my students and myself?