All University of Oregon undergraduate students must pass two writing courses (WR 121z and WR 122z or WR 123) with the minimum grade of C- or P. Students are strongly advised to complete these courses by the end of their sophomore year.

WR 121Z: WRITTEN REASONING AS DISCOVERY AND INQUIRY  

WR 121z engages students in the study and practice of critical thinking, reading, and writing. The course focuses on analyzing and composing across varied rhetorical situations and in multiple genres. Students will apply key rhetorical concepts flexibly and collaboratively throughout their writing and inquiry processes. Cultivates first-year students’ sense of belonging to the academic UO community.    

WR 121Z LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Apply rhetorical concepts through analyzing and composing a variety of texts.  
2. Engage texts critically, ethically, and strategically to support writing goals. 
3. Develop flexible composing, revising, and editing strategies for a variety of purposes, audiences, writing situations, and genres.  
4. Reflect on knowledge and skills developed in this course and their potential applications in other writing contexts. 

WR 122Z: WRITTEN REASONING AS A PROCESS OF ARGUMENT 

WR 122z builds on concepts and processes emphasized in WR 121z, engaging with inquiry, research, and argumentation in support of students’ development as writers. The course focuses on composing and revising in research-based genres through the intentional use of rhetorical strategies. Students will find, evaluate, and interpret complex material, including lived experience, using such to frame and pursue their own research questions and integrate material purposefully into their own compositions.  

Students gain experience writing in multiple forms/genres, beginning with shared discussion of a broad topic or theme. Assignments expand student understanding of writing contexts beyond the writing classroom with attention to career fields, public arena, etc.  

WR 122Z LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Apply rhetorical concepts to achieve writing goals within a given discourse community. 

1. Locate, critically evaluate, synthesize, and integrate multiple perspectives from a variety of sources. 

1. Engage in research and writing as recursive and inquiry-based processes, participating in the communal and conversational nature of academic discourses.  

1. Develop strategies for generating, drafting, revising, and editing texts based on feedback and reflection.  

1. Reflect on knowledge and skills developed in this and other courses and potential transfer to future contexts.  

WR 123: WRITTEN REASONING IN THE CONTEXT OF RESEARCH   

WR 123 shares learning objectives and work expectations with WR 122z. Both focus on composing and revising in research-based genres through intentional use of rhetorical strategies. In WR 123, student work is focused on research and writing formats relevant to specific communities with some hands-on experience with real world contexts.  

1. Develop an understanding of a local, cultural, academic, or virtual community in order to apply rhetorical concepts to achieve writing goals within a given a specific community. Deepen engagement with diverse and/or specialized audience 
2. Conduct community-focused inquiry and/or research by locating, critically evaluating, synthesizing, and integrating multiple perspectives from sources that are relevant to the community. 
3. Engage in research and writing as recursive and inquiry-based processes, participating in the communal and conversational nature of academic discourses. Explore genre in different social, cultural, or disciplinary contexts 
4. Develop strategies for generating, drafting, revising, and editing texts based on feedback and reflection. 
5. Reflect on knowledge and skills developed in this and other courses and potential transfer to future contexts. 

CHOOSING BETWEEN WR 122Z AND WR 123 

WR 122z and WR 123 both provide students instruction in research.   

WR 122z and WR 123 are equivalent in challenge and workload.  

WR 123 now offers students an opportunity to focus their writing and research on community selected by their professor. Students can expect more hands-on experiences connecting writing and research to real-world situations. 

Any student can succeed in WR 123.  

WR 123 can be a good choice for students who are curious about: 

• The community-in-focus of any particular section (descriptions by CRN available on classes.uoregon.edu prior to registration); 
• Entry-level hands-on experience with research and writing in public or specialized vocations; 
• Enrollment in the Writing, Public Speaking, and Critical Reasoning (WSCR) Minor. WR 123 counts toward fulfilling the writing requirement of the minor. 

WR 199 SPST LAB: OPTIONAL 1-CREDIT WRITING LAB 

WR 199 SPST Lab courses are a service offered through the Composition Program’s Writing Lab. Trained GE Writing Support Specialists lead small groups of students in 50-minute “writing lab” sessions every other week. Sessions include short lessons and practice activities directly related to work in WR 121z/122z/123. Students enrolled in WR 199 will also receive two one-on-one sessions with a Writing Support Specialist and can receive additional support during Writing Lab drop-in hours. The credit is P/NP. 

Students can choose from three sections that offer support based on where they are at in completing the writing requirement.  

• WR 199 SPST: 121z Lab, co-enrollment with WR 121z  

• WR 199 SPST: 122z/123 Prep Lab, completion of WR 121z or equivalent  
• WR 199 SPST: 122z Lab, co-enrollment with WR 122z 

WHO SHOULD ENROLL IN A WR 199 SPST LAB?  

This new version of the credited Writing Lab course allows students of all abilities and confidence levels to benefit from expert GE instruction while focusing on their individual goals, in a supportive small-group setting. 

Any student interested in additional focus on their writing is strongly encouraged to enroll. 

WHAT TO EXPECT IN COMPOSITION CLASSES 

As a Writing student, you should prepare to do a lot of reading, reflecting, and, of course, writing. Click the link above to learn about what to expect inside and outside a WR course at the University of Oregon. 

Expect to attend and engage with the class. Attendance is integral to your success in a composition class. Class time is spent in workshops, discussion, and activities designed to support writing. Learning to write is a process that requires returning to and revising writing. Writing classes are designed with early assignments supporting larger writing projects. 

Expect to spend 8-10 hours each week outside of class working on reading, writing, and preparatory assignments. This time commitment reflects the UO Registrar’s expectations for student time spent on work for a 4-credit hour class. 

Expect to work closely with your instructor on your writing. This might happen in office hours or in individual conferences.  

Expect to work closely with peers and your instructor on your writing. Students learn how to provide and receive feedback on writing.  

Expect to hear new ideas that do not match your own. Students work closely with peers on their writing about issues that matter to them.