In a digital, information-laden era, every one of us encounters, receives, produces, and transmits lots of writing every day. Writing is also the way we communicate in a range of spaces—social, professional, personal, educational—and on many topics. Therefore, all University of Minnesota undergraduates must complete the first-year writing (FYW) requirement within the first two semesters of registration, which means over 5,000 students take FYW courses each year. We will help you develop the skills, tools, and knowledge to participate effectively in the communities that are central to your personal, academic, and professional lives. If you have any questions about FYW, please email [email protected].

First-Year Writing courses teach essential writing processes and rhetorical principles for success in college and beyond. You’ll explore various genres and disciplines, focusing on developing ideas through critical thinking and learning to communicate effectively for different audiences. As writing is a social activity, course formats will include pre-writing, peer review, revision, and editing. You’ll also build information literacy by learning to find, evaluate, and ethically use information.

We are committed to supporting every writer we serve and to respectful, engaged, and meaningful interactions with and among writers in our courses. We are actively engaged in developing our capacity to disrupt dispositions, habits, and practices that are informed by and perpetuate bias, exclusion, and inequity. It is the responsibility of every instructor to proactively seek the development they need to ensure their instruction and classroom environment supports equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to the Department of Writing Studies’ Equity and Diversity Statement. We are happy to be a part of your journey, and welcome to the University of Minnesota!