English Composition Program

English Composition comprises a set of university-wide required General Education courses. Each course focuses on increasingly complex writing situations with the goal of strengthening students’ flexibility and skill as writers and communicators. Our writing courses are intentional communities where students interact with one another and with their instructors on a regular basis. We hope to cultivate good writers and to inspire good writing habits that serve students well within and beyond the confines of our course sequence.

Guiding Principles

Are you an incoming student to ENGL 1001 or ENGL 2089? We’re happy to have you here! To prepare for English Composition, take a look at the principles that underscore our curriculum:

  1. We learn to write by writing: Writing is like learning to ride a bike: we learn and continue to improve by practicing. In our classes, you will develop your writing skills by completing a variety of writing activities (both formal and informal) to help you learn and grow. Our courses are designed around invention, drafting, editing, and revising (and maybe revising a few more times after that). We expect our students to practice and try their best.
  2. Writing is a social, reflective, and collaborative process: The best writing projects are rarely completed in isolation and the best writers rarely work alone. UC writing classes provide opportunities for you to share your writing and respond to your classmates, as well as provide opportunities for you to reflect on your own writing choices (and what may or may not have worked about those choices). We foster independence in student-writers through activities like peer review, reflection, and group work. Our goal is for you to leave the microcosm of the composition classroom knowing how to generate ideas for a paper, integrate research, and edit and revise, while also knowing how to provide feedback to others and self-assess your own work.
  3. Writing is an adventure: We hope you learn something about yourself through the process of writing, reading, and thinking. In our classes, you’ll have the freedom to explore your own ideas. Writing is often a means for discovery--what will you discover?

Need a second opinion? Here’s what composition students and faculty have to say about UC writing classes:

“Taking an English Composition class in college completely shifted my perspective on writing for the better. My professor created an enjoyable atmosphere through many group activities with my peers, and the practice-based learning approach was super beneficial to my learning. I was never afraid to ask for help as encouraging feedback was always given.” ~Alexandra Boni, Class of ‘27

“Having the opportunity to take English Composition in college completely transformed me as a writer, in both my skill set and my confidence. My professor created a classroom environment that promoted my growth as a writer, with a combination of practice and activities in a variety of settings, such as group feedback and one-on-one feedback with both students and my professor.”    ~ Karley Broyles, Class of ‘25 

"Teaching in the Composition Program at UC means I get to come to work every day loving what I do. Working with students on their writing is a process of constantly collaborating, researching together, and thinking about the future transfer of our writing skills. In our classroom, writing is something that transcends the academic space; it is knowledge that we carry forward into our careers and personal lives." ~Dr. Morgan Buchs, Assistant Professor Educator

“In English 1001 and 2089, students prepare for a life of meaningful communication in their personal, social, academic, and professional lives. As one who teaches composition at UC, I get to see students rethink what it means to be a writer writing in the world today, where new technologies and social realities have completely exploded the possibilities for texts and genres. Through collaboration, invention, revision, and reflection, students in the composition classroom learn that writing happens in community, writing is a process, and writing is a place to find oneself and situate that self with others.”~ Dr. Elijah Guerra, Assistant Professor Educator

Guided Self Placement Survey Instructions

All undergraduate students admitted to the university will complete a Guided Self-Placement survey (GSP) before the start of their first year to determine if they need additional support to succeed in ENGL 1001. You will answer questions about time management, study habits, and past academic writing experiences.

*Note: The GSP does not register you for a class. It only indicates your course selection.

To complete the GSP, log into Bearcat Portal with your UC username (6+2) and password. You will be prompted to complete the survey within the portal. This survey must be completed prior to your orientation date.

For a video overview of the purpose and goals of the GSP, click here

First-Year Writing Program Staff

Dr. Samantha NeCamp, Co-Director- necampsa@ucmail.uc.edu

Professor Michele Griegel McCord, Co-Director- griegeml@ucmail.uc.edu

Bethany Hellwig, Graduate Assistant to the Composition Directors- hellwibj@mail.uc.edu

Alex Evans, Graduate Assistant to the Composition Directors- evans2ax@mail.uc.edu