Student Resources
Administrative Resources
Grade Appeals
Generally, the First-Year Writing Program follows the process outlined by the College of Arts and Sciences (CLAS) for Grade Appeals. To learn more about the CLAS process, visit the CLAS website.
Like CLAS, we encourage students to have a conversation about their grade with their instructor; however, if the instructor does not approve the appeal, students can write to the First-Year Writing Director at firstyearwriting@uconn.edu first for the review rather than the English Department Head.
Guided Placement Survey
The Guided Placement Survey provides an opportunity to determine the first-year writing course that you think best fits your needs. To learn more and to take the survey, visit this page.
Course Equivalency Review
The First-Year Writing Program reviews courses from other institutions to determine whether they satisfy the University’s First-Year Writing Requirement. This process is called a Course Equivalency Review (CER). To learn more and view the guidelines on submitting a CER, visit this page.
Writing Resources
Tutoring
The UConn Writing Center offers free tutoring services to first-year writing (FYW) students through in-person, online, and asynchronous appointments. Make an appointment at the Writing Center to get valuable feedback on your writing at any stage of the process.
Research, Citations, and Avoiding Plagiarism
UConn expects students to uphold the highest ethical standards of academic and scholarly integrity.
The UConn Library offers online resources to help students produce ethical writing. Highlights include:
- English/First-Year Writing Guides - Discover how to locate articles, search databases, evaluate sources, and give credit where credit is due.
- Understanding Citations - Learn when and how to cite your sources.
- Integrating Sources Into Your Paper - Learn the differences between quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing.
- Citation Styles and Management Tools Guide - Find out how to prepare your reference list.
- Understanding Plagiarism Tutorial - Review important concepts to help you avoid plagiarizing.
- Purdue University also provides significant support on academic integrity through its Online Writing Lab (OWL).
Instructor and Peer Feedback
Your instructor and peers can be some of your best writing resources. Our courses are built around in-class, live feedback to ensure you understand the assignment and are working ethically, with the University and larger communities in mind. Talk with your instructor early and often if you’re struggling with an assignment or if you want to brainstorm ideas. Ask a classmate to read and offer feedback on your draft.
External Resources
Purdue University
Other Resources
- UNC’s Help with Transitions.
- Citation Machine. - Be sure to check your citations to make sure all information is correct and complete.
More First-Year Writing Resources for Students
- Course Descriptions - Learn what to expect from your FYW classes.
- UConn English Awards, Contests, and Scholarships - Browse opportunities and apply for awards that recognizes outstanding creative achievements, including the Aetna First-Year Writing Award.