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Writing Support

The Writing and Learning Center Offers Free Writing Consultations. 

Students may connect online with a writing tutor on any project for any course. During consultations, peer tutors help students improve their writing skills at any stage in the process, whether getting started or polishing a final draft. The center offers a unique space for students across disciplines to share strategies for communicating effectively in various contexts. 

Get peer-to-peer support on the following:

  • Generating and organizing your ideas
  • Focusing your thoughts
  • Clarifying your purpose
  • Developing support for your topic
  • Reviewing grammar and punctuation
  • Preparing for the Graduation Writing Requirement

The Center Also Offers Writing Support Courses.

ENGL 135: Writing and Rhetoric Tutorial
Directed, weekly practice in writing in a laboratory environment. Open to all students enrolled in ENGL 129, ENGL 130, ENGL 131, ENGL 132, ENGL 133, or ENGL 134; required for students enrolled in the Writing and Rhetoric Stretch Program during the second quarter of the sequence, concurrently with ENGL 130 or ENGL 132. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 laboratory. This course is repeatable for a total credit limited to 2 units.

ENGL 150: Writing Tutorial
Guided discussion and practice of writing strategies for students seeking support for writing-related coursework and/or the GWR. Weekly, individualized sessions with a peer writing consultant offering feedback based on the audience, purpose, and context of a writing task. Open to all students. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 activity. This course is repeatable for a total credit limited to 4 units. 
 

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Winter Quarter At-a-Glance

 

Academic Preparation and Placement

Cal Poly adheres to the CSU's placement practice, which evaluates multiple measures of pre-college academic performance to determine placement in first-year English and math courses. Cal Poly also offers summer support courses in compliance with the CSU's Early Start Program to help incoming first-year students prepare for a successful college experience. More information is available on the Academic Preparation and Placement webpage. 

Academic Support

The Writing and Learning Initiatives Office offers a comprehensive menu of academic resources designed to ensure optimal educational opportunities for diverse student populations: peer consultants offer free tutoring in any course or subject, peer-led supplemental workshops and study sessions provide support for STEM-specific courses, and the online Study Strategies Library offers a collection of resources to help you achieve your learning goals. More information is available on the Academic Support Programs webpage. 

Graduation Writing Requirement

All degree-seeking Cal Poly students, including a Master's degree or teaching credential, must fulfill the GWR. Undergraduate students must complete 90 units before they can attempt to fulfill the requirement and should do so before the senior year. The two pathways to GWR completion are 1) in an approved upper-division course and 2) via the GWR Portfolio. More information is available on the GWR webpage. 

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