Editorial: Use writing courses instead of exams to prepare students

How would you feel if you had to take a writing exam to graduate? How would you feel if you had to take a writing exam to graduate?

Two Virginia colleges, Old Dominion University and Hampden-Sydney College, decided 35 years ago to require their students to pass a writing test before receiving their degrees. The schools instituted similar structures for the timed tests: composition of a coherent 500-word essay to be graded by faculty members.

Hampden-Sydney’s rhetoric assessment program involves two courses that work to develop writing and speaking skills followed by a writing test, typically taken late in sophomore year. Although 33 percent of students at the all-male liberal arts school fail their first attempts, they can try two more times during their junior years and seek help from faculty in order to graduate on time.

But at Old Dominion, a large public institution, the testing process wasn’t so well-received. Students were expected to employ what they’d learned over four years to write essays on general topics they could select from a university-approved list. More than 600 of 42,000 seniors in the past decade, despite completing every other degree requirement, couldn’t pass the test and graduate, Inside Higher Ed reports. And 70 percent of professors said students’ writing still needed improvement.

The school announced this month it would make the test optional and instead require students to pass two English courses and a writing-intensive class in their majors before graduating.

After much debate, we’ve concluded that Old Dominion’s decision to eliminate the mandatory testing was a prudent one. After all, someone who’s worked hard for his entire college career shouldn’t have to bother taking a writing examination to prove he can think, especially if he’s not prepared through proper courses beforehand.

At the same time, addressing writing skills to this extent is beneficial to students because it makes them aware that these concepts exist and are real-world skills that will benefit them in the future.

Although some might interpret these requirements as a university overstepping its bounds, a university that graduates students who cannot articulate their thoughts should be downright embarrassed.

Every student who graduates from college will need to be able to perform basic writing functions. From cover letters to resumés and even to emails, communication is key, no matter what kind of job you have. It’s important to know how to express your thoughts, ideas and accomplishments whether you’re an English major or geology major.

That is not to say that we buy into stereotypes, though. Plenty of science majors write for The Pitt News — and they can write damn well, too.

For an educational institution, students’ learning should be first priority. And we think the added stress of a writing exam might not be the best indicator of student aptitude. With writing requirements in courses, it’s still possible to improve students’ critical-thought processes without the added stress of an exam.

We think that students would actually learn more — and be able to improve over time — by taking writing classes over the course of their time at college rather than simply a basic test on their way out.

So although we see both sides of the argument here, the real issue lies in universities finding ways to educate the whole student. There is much value in writing, but it’s important to remember that teaching a skill is the best way to cultivate it.