"A linguist at Portland State University found that the people (with a two or four year college degree) in the highest quintile in writing ability earn more than three times what those with the worst writing skills make.."

Source: Fortune, 12/7/98

What is the difference between W231 and W132?

Professional Writing Skills (W231) is an IUPUI English Department course that fulfills a portion of the general education requirements for students in the Schools of Allied Health, Education, Science, Social Work, Physical Education, and Public and Environmental Affairs, among others. It also carries elective credit under the English Major.

With a grade of C or better in W131/W140 (or a comparable composition class) as a prerequisite, students are introduced to writing in nonacademic settings, particularly report writing. W231 focuses on the development of information retrieval skills that will be of value not only in the work place, but also in upper-level courses in the student's major area of study.

In addition, students are introduced to Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. All on-campus classes meet regularly in a computer classroom. Students' work is assessed by portfolio. Please direct questions to W231 Course Coordinator, Julie Freeman.

W132 is a second writing course required by the School of Liberal Arts and is an option for several other majors as well.

The course stresses argumentation and research concurrently, with a secondary emphasis on critical evaluation in both reading and writing. Evaluation is based on a portfolio of the student's work. Contact the English Dept. for more information.

While both W132 and W231 emphasize research skills, W132 differs from W231 mainly in that it focuses on argumentation rather than on problem/solution; its assignments do not target a local organization or business as in W231; and there is no primary research component. In addition, W132 involves academic writing done in an academic setting, while W231 involves workplace writing composed for a professional audience. Direct questions about W132 to Anne Williams.