What is special about the way writing intensive sections treat traditional formal writing assignments?
They assign a series of short writing assignments in lieu of one long assignment so that writing is integrated into the course throughout the semester, or the assignments are structured in such a way that some of the informal writing assignments build to or serve as preliminary drafts of the formal, graded pieces. This may include, for example, letters, notes, 1-2 page responses to readings, revising in different genres, e-mail postings, written responses to other students, double-entry and/or dialogue journals. This writing can be graded or ungraded; students can complete several pieces and then choose one to revise for a grade. In this writing, the student assumes an audience other than him or herself although the writing can sometimes be informal or conversational in tone.
