Writing Proficiency Program

Writing at Saint Mary’s

As a Saint Mary’s student, you’ll work towards proficiency in writing throughout college. From your first year through your major, the W Program will help you prepare for a life of writing beyond Saint Mary’s. Your efforts will be more focused, however, at two stages of your career: shortly after your arrival on campus, and as you progress in your major before graduation:

Basic W: This writing requirement, which can be satisfied in many general education courses, is meant to provide a foundation for your written work at Saint Mary’s. In order to earn the Basic W, you’ll need to be able to advance a logical thesis, organize your thoughts clearly, and develop your ideas effectively. You’ll also need to follow standard rules of grammar, syntax, punctuation, and documentation. You can learn more about this process on our FAQ page. [LINK]

Advanced W: This requirement, which is satisfied within your major course of study, usually during your junior and senior years, is meant to help you refine your skills as a writer, particularly by learning to write well within a particular discipline. To learn more about the Advanced W, please visit your department’s web page.

English Writing Major: Saint Mary’s also offers a comprehensive Creative Writing Program in English; it is distinct from the Writing Proficiency Programs. More information about this program is available on their website.

News 

Dorothy Manier Essay Contest

Open to all current W students, entries to the Dorothy Manier essay contest will be accepted in the English/History Suite, 215 Spes Unica Hall. The contest will conclude on Thursday, December 8 at 5 p.m.. Please submit your best work from a W course; on the title page, please include the title of the class and the name of the instructor for whom the paper was written. The winner of the contest will receive a $50 prize at Honors Convocation. 

 Sr. Franzita Kane Essay Contest

Open to all students, entries will be accepted until Thursday, December 8 at 5 p.m.. Please bring them to the English/History Suite, 215 Spes Unica Hall. Please submit your best work from any course; include the title of the class and the name of the instructor for whom the paper was written on the title page.

You may submit a paper in one of the following categories: peace and justice, literature, or the open category. Essays in the peace and justice category should focus on practical or theoretical strategies or the promotion of peace and justice in the past, present or future. Essays submitted to the literature category should present research on a literary topic or offer an analysis of one or more works of literature. The open category is appropriate for essays that explore any topic not listed in the other two. Each student should submit only one essay to the contest.

The winners of each category in the contest will receive a $75 prize at Honors Convocation.