First-Year Writing

Welcome

The First-Year Writing Program at UGA introduces 4,500-5,000 students a year to college-level academic writing. English 1101 is concerned with argumentative discourse, English 1102 with constructing academic arguments through literature. We also offer a wide range of special topics courses, online writing classes, and composition courses. 

The capstone project for both courses is an electronic portfolio of student work. ePortfolios allow students to showcase their best work, to reflect upon their own writing practices, and to present their writing in a persuasive manner to a range of readers.

The UGA First Year Writing Program was a member of Cohort 2 of the Inter/National Coalition of Electronic Portfolio Research and in 2007 submitted a final report to that body. In 2010-2013, the FYW Program participated in Cohort 6 of the Inter/National Coalition of Electronic Portfolio Research; the research topic was Assessment.

Also, the program has a history of award-winning accolades such as the USG Regents Teaching Excellence Award for Departments and Programs 2012).

At the annual 4C (Conference on College Composition and Communication) meeting, Robby Nadler, Kristen Miller (Head of the Division of Biology), and Christy Desmet received the Council on Basic Writing's Award for Innovation INNY Award) for UGA's Science Writing Project. Only one award is given each year nationally. A collaboration between the UGA Writing Center, Division of Biology, First-Year Writing, and the Writing Intensive Program, the Project involved a study of how advanced humanities writers respond to biology lab reports in order to isolate science writing knowledge gaps (2018).

For questions about First-Year Writing at UGA, email fywsupport@uga.edu.

Technical Support

The First-Year Writing Program uses technology to help students develop their written communication. Among these tools is eLearning for Writers (eLW). Students in need of help with eLW or other related issues are encouraged to visit the FYW Digital Learning Labs in room 118 of Park Hall or email esupport@uga.edu.