Writing Across the Curriculum - Why do it?

When we talk with employers and ask what skill sets they look for in our graduates, the employers in Montgomery County, PA universally say "communication skills." To develop communication skills, students need practice.

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) initiatives have been around since the 1980s and their importance for students is well documented. An excellent resource is The WAC Clearinghouse hosted by Colorado State University. As stated on their web site, the basic principles of WAC are as follows:

1) Writing is the responsibility of the entire academic community
2) Writing must be integrated across departmental boundaries
3) Writing instruction must be continuous during all four years of undergraduate education
4) Writing promotes learning
5) Only by practicing the conventions of an academic discipline will students begin to communicate effectively within that discipline

One or two writing courses just isn't enough practice to learn to communicate effectively. But, "What's in it for me?" I hear you cry.

If you require your students to write, you should find you are better able to gauge how well students understand information. This provides you with guidance regarding the concept upon which you need to elaborate. And as more teachers require writing in their courses, students become better communicators just through sheer practice. Wouldn't you love having more students who can express complex ideas clearly? We sure would.

Having students write (perhaps about what they learned in class this week) is beneficial to the students also. Students' learning is increased when they need to think about what they've learned and express it in written form. This also prepares students for the "real world" where they will be communicating on a daily basis. If students don't take notes and we only give them objective tests, students could avoid writing for an entire semester! That isn't going to sharpen their skill base.