Graduate School Expository Writing Program

1. Graduate School Expository Writing Program Gwendolyn S. Bethea, Ph.D. Director of Communications and Expository Writing Program gbethea@howard.edu 202-806-7277/6800

2. Writing is for Life How will you express yourself?

3. What is the Expository Writing Exam (EWE)? The EWE consists of a 500-word essay on (1) one of several topics provided by the Program for the Academic Support Services (PASS) Office Assesses writing skills Illustrates the ability to explain, describe and inform a reader

4. is the EWE graded? How • Your exam is graded by an EWE Reviewer • If you score 5 or higher, you will receive an expository writing certificate • If you score between 4 and 5, you will need to review your exam with an EWE Reviewer prior to receiving your expository writing certificate • If you score below 4, you must take/pass a 1-credit Academic Communication course prior to receiving your expository writing certificate

5. Why is the EWE Important? Writing skills assessment Paragraph Development & Organization Stylistic Elements & Writing Clarity Grammar & Punctuation Analytical and Teaching Tool Graduate School requirement for candidacy (Master’s and Ph.D.)

6. needs to take the EWE? Who All students admitted to the Graduate School Exempted: Score 5 or higher on GRE Writing Examination Provisions afforded to students with special needs Please provide documentation for EWE exemption and/or to make provisions for the EWE

7. When, Where & How is the EWE Offered? Dates, Time & Location Registration & Testing Mode Dates [Fall 2013: August 22-24, 26 -27] • 1st week in the fall & spring semesters & occasionally in the summer Time • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Location [Fall 2013: Founders] • Founders Library, Digital Classroom or iLab • Only registered students may take the exam • Registration link accessed via: 1) Cvent www.cvent.com/d/0cqh6w/4W 2) Graduate School webpage www.gs.howard.edu/default.html 3) PASS www.gs.howard.edu/pass • Exam typed on computer • Exam may be handwritten by request

8. What’s next • Within 4 weeks of taking the exam, you will be notified of your score by e-mail. • Depending on your score, you will: • Make arrangements to pick up your expository writing certificate. • Schedule a time to review your exam with an EWE Reviewer to acquire your expository writing certificate. • Register for and pass the Academic Reinforcement course, and acquire your expository writing certificate from the PASS Office • Retain copies of your expository writing certificate for candidacy and your department’s records after the EWE?

9. What can I do to do my best on the EWE? Select a topic you are familiar with and comfortable writing about. Ensure your essay’s title reflects the essay you write. Ensure your essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion. Make an outline to organize your ideas Determine the main idea/ thesis statement

10. What can I do to do my best on the EWE? Compose topic sentences to introduce paragraphs and use supportive sentences Use transitional phrases between paragraphs Check punctuation, noun/verb agreement, grammar and spelling Edit separately for content, grammar, and spelling End with a strong conclusion that summarizes your essay’s main ideas

11. Resources and Guides • Graduate School Study Guide www.g.s.howard/pass/study_guide.pdf • Purdue Online Writing Lab owl.english.purdue.edu/owl • Common Errors in English Usage by Paul Brians http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/ • Joan The English Chick www.englishchick.com/grammar • Tips for Writing Essays www1.aucegypt.edu/academic/writers/

12. Need More Information? Visit the Program for Academic Support Services (PASS) Website: www.gs.howard.edu/pass Graduate School website: www.gs.howard.edu/default.html Gwendolyn Bethea, Ph.D. gbethea@howard.edu 202-806-7277