Writing Intensive (WI) Courses are part of a University of Hawai‘i systemwide movement to incorporate more writing in courses from all disciplines. A WI course is a discipline-specific course in which writing plays a major integrated role. Students in course sections designated as a “WI” (preceding the course title in the Schedule of Classes) learn to understand course content through writing and to write in ways appropriate to that discipline.

As at all other UHCC campuses, English 100 is a prerequisite for enrollment in WI coursework. WCC’s associate degree students must complete two WI courses to graduate. 

Up to three WI courses earned at Windward count toward the bachelor’s degree at UH Mānoa; two count toward the bachelor’s degree at UH Hilo. (UH West Oahu degrees require WI credit to be earned in upper-division courses only.) 

Hallmarks for Writing Intensive Courses at WCC

The hallmarks of a writing intensive course are:

W1. The class uses writing to promote the learning of course materials.

W2. The class provides interaction between the instructor and students while students do assigned writing. At least one student-teacher conference on a writing assignment is required in writing intensive courses at WCC.

W3. Writing assignments must make up at least 40% of each student’s course grade. 

W4. The class requires students to do a substantial amount of writing—a minimum of 4,000 words, or about 16 pages.W5. To allow for meaningful professor-student interaction on each student’s writing, the class is restricted to 20 students.

Explanatory notes

• W1. Instructors assign formal and informal writing, both in class and out, to increase students’ understanding of course material as well as to improve writing skills. Writing is considered a process in which multiple drafts are encouraged.
• W2. In effect, the instructor acts as an expert and the student as an apprentice in a community of writers. Types of interaction will vary. For example, a professor who requires the completion of one long essay may review sections of the essay, write comments on drafts, and be available for conferences. The professor who requires several short papers may demonstrate techniques for drafting and revising in the classroom, give guidance during the composition of the papers, and consult with students after they complete their papers. Individual conferences are mandatory for WI courses at Windward CC, and conferences must be included as mandatory in your syllabus.
• W3. Writing assignments must make up at least 40% of each student’s course grade. Only students who satisfactorily complete the writing assignments should be allowed to pass the course with a “D” or better.
• W4. The types of writing assigned will vary and may include formal and “informal” (writing that is not revised) writing. Depending on the course content, students may write analytical essays, critical reviews, journals, lab reports, research reports, reaction papers, etc. In-class exams and drafts are not counted toward the 4000-word minimum. On your syllabus, please list the minimum page or word count for each assignment.
• W5. Professors who team teach may request that the enrollment be higher as long as a 20-1 student to faculty ratio is maintained.

Information for Faculty

• Writing Advisory Board Policies and Directives
• Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)
• Instructors authorized to teach WI classes
• Memo to CCAO, 2010 (PDF)

Writing Resources

• Manoa Writing Program – resources for teachers and students
• Ka Piko Writing Lab