MTSU General Education English: Writing Course Placement Survey

Welcome! 

This guided-self placement survey was created by instructors in Middle Tennessee State University’s General Education English program with input from students to help you determine which first-year writing course is right for you.

Why am I taking this survey?

This survey asks you to share self assessment of your writing and reading experiences, learning preferences, previous grades, and test scores to make an informed decision about the course in which you will be most successful at MTSU. We try to include you in this process because who knows your experience better than you? Also, as a college student, it’s important to be as engaged as possible in your educational decisions.

How can I make a good choice in my course placement?

We want you to be successful in your writing course. Students who are successful in first-year writing are usually successful at MTSU. Please take your time with this survey and answer each question honestly and completely. This guided survey will ensure that you select a class with the right amount of support:

ENGL 1010I: Expository Writing for International Students is focused on literacy development, primary research, genre analysis, and composing processes, with special attention to critical reading, revision, and writing for academic and public audiences. The instructor for this course has expertise in working with English Language Learners. This class meets three hours per week. This class is designed for only international students who feel comfortable transitioning to the college writing environment and who would benefit from opportunities to write primarily outside of class meetings. Assignments for ENGL 1010I might include a narrative essay about a formative literacy experience or a genre analysis of a restaurant menu. Students who pass ENGL 1010I with a C- or better will receive General Education/True Blue Core credit. This class is not appropriate for students whose only language is English.

ENGL 1010K: Expository Writing with Support is focused on literacy development, primary research, genre analysis, and composing processes, with special attention to critical reading, revision, and writing for academic and public audiences. Significant time is dedicated during class time to writing workshops where students can develop their abilities as a writer by writing, getting feedback from other writers, and revising. Students’ rhetorical knowledge is fostered through instruction in writing assignments that develop critical thinking, reading, and writing capacities through instruction in strategies of textual analysis and analysis of multiple genres and mediums of communication. ENGL 1010K promotes the development of students’ reading and writing processes through an emphasis on revision throughout the course. Students learn to see writing as a process and develop critical strategies for invention or developing ideas, drafting, revising, and editing their work. Assignments for ENGL 1010K might include a narrative essay about a formative literacy experience or a genre analysis of a restaurant menu.

ENGL 1010: Expository Writing is focused on literacy development, primary research, genre analysis, and composing processes, with special attention to critical reading, revision, and writing for academic and public audiences. Students’ rhetorical knowledge is fostered through instruction in writing assignments that develop critical thinking, reading, and writing capacities through instruction in strategies of textual analysis and analysis of multiple genres and mediums of communication. ENGL 1010 promotes the development of students’ reading and writing processes through an emphasis on revision throughout the course. Students learn to see writing as a process and develop critical strategies for invention or developing ideas, drafting, revising, and editing their work. Assignments for ENGL 1010 might include a narrative essay about a formative literacy experience or a genre analysis of a restaurant menu.

Let’s get started!

Please take the time to complete all 6 sections and answer all questions to ensure you receive the correct placement recommendation that meets your needs. If you have any questions at the end of this survey, we encourage you to speak with your advisor, or contact the General Education English office at (615) 898-2579.

• Section 1: Student Information
• Section 2: Previous Reading and Writing Experiences
• Section 3: Learning Preferences
• Section 4: Test Scores and GPAs
• Section 5: Personal Narratives
• Section 6: MTSU Writing Course Self-Placement