*Academic Writing at Stanford University
Stanford’s academic writing instruction is centered on the *Program in Writing & Rhetoric
[PWR]* and also includes specialized courses such as “Writing in the Sciences”.
*1. Core First-Year Course: PWR 1 – Writing & Rhetoric 1*
This 4-unit course fulfills the first-year writing requirement.
*Syllabus focus:*
- *Rhetorical analysis and research*: Students analyze readings in context, conduct
research, and construct arguments.
- *Research-based argument*: The main outcome is a substantive argument supported by
multiple sources.
- *Skills developed*: Identifying a writer’s stance, building a supportable purpose,
evaluating and integrating sources, organization, style, and audience awareness.
- *Course structure*: The first weeks introduce rhetoric and analysis. The bulk of the term
focuses on academic, research-based writing, including how to find, evaluate, document,
and integrate sources.
- *Support*: Includes individual conferences with the instructor.
*Required elements for all PWR 1 syllabi:*
- Logistical details: course number, title, meeting times, location, instructor contact
Stanford’s academic writing instruction is centered on the *Program in Writing & Rhetoric
[PWR]* and also includes specialized courses such as “Writing in the Sciences”.
*1. Core First-Year Course: PWR 1 – Writing & Rhetoric 1*
This 4-unit course fulfills the first-year writing requirement.
*Syllabus focus:*
- *Rhetorical analysis and research*: Students analyze readings in context, conduct
research, and construct arguments.
- *Research-based argument*: The main outcome is a substantive argument supported by
multiple sources.
- *Skills developed*: Identifying a writer’s stance, building a supportable purpose,
evaluating and integrating sources, organization, style, and audience awareness.
- *Course structure*: The first weeks introduce rhetoric and analysis. The bulk of the term
focuses on academic, research-based writing, including how to find, evaluate, document,
and integrate sources.
- *Support*: Includes individual conferences with the instructor.
*Required elements for all PWR 1 syllabi:*
- Logistical details: course number, title, meeting times, location, instructor contact
