Post 357: How do I design a Writing In The Discipline class?

How Do I Design a Writing In The Discipline Class?

Normally, teaching writing involves teaching students how to do research, or teaching students how to do an academic research paper. A typical Freshman Composition class would teach students the classic '5 paragraph essay structure' model, however, a Writing In The Discipline class refers to writing assignments tailored to specific disciplines. For instance in psychology, you might learn how to write a case study while in a science course, you might learn how to write a lab report.

1. Look up other universities to see how they have designed their Writing In The Discipline class.

2. Become familiar with Writing in other Disciplines.

3. Taylor the class to the needs of your school/students.

4. Talk to your Dean on the needs of your school if you are unsure of the specific writing needs of your school.  Make a list of possible writing assignments from the sources below and ask your Dean which writing assignments best fits the school.

5. Talk to the Librarian of your school about resources in the school library on writing in other disciplines.


Writing in the Engineering and Science Fields 

  https://www.craftofscientificwriting.com/

This website has instructional videos on how to write technical papers, and how to do lab reports for the Engineering and Science fields.

Writing in Mathematics

https://www.craftofscientificwriting.com/

This website gives math problems to solve through learning different ways of writing.

Writing in Healthcare Professions

https://owl.excelsior.edu/writing-in-the-disciplines/healthcare-professions/

This website has hyperlinks on how to write different kinds of writing encountered in the healthcare profession.


WAC Clearning House Website

This website gives extensive information on the WAC (Writing Across the Curriculum), WID (Writing In the Disciplines) programs.

Alternate Forms/Formats that Mimic Professional Writing

Think of alternate forms/formats. Although the research essay is the most common kind of WID assignment, it's not the only format that students can use to learn about disciplinary writing conventions. If professionals in your field use any of these types of writing, consider using these formats to help students understand the thinking and writing of your discipline:

• Project or lab notebook
• Progress report
• Management plan
• Position paper
• Interpretive essay
• Casebook
• Review of literature
• Journal or professional article
• Project proposals
• Grant proposals
• Lab/field reports