As writing teachers we have encountered hundreds of people who declare that they hate, fear, or are "bad at" writing. We have even heard of many who have pursued certain majors or careers because they thought they would be off the hook from having to write too much. It is true that writing can be hard, even painfully hard, because it is used for communicating complex ideas and, at times, difficult truths.
However, no area of study and no profession is off the hook from writing. Indeed, in some highly technical fields (e.g., medicine, engineering), effective written communication can be a matter of fairness and equity, or even life and death.
Because of its foundational importance at all levels of learning and professional practice, we want to make it easier for everyone at UW to connect with resources that support their writing. We recommend that everyone start by reading the UW Principles of Writing, a set of tenets that define writing and its value throughout study and life. Then, explore the site to find information about:
- Undergraduate writing requirements and guidelines for teaching "W" courses
- The intellectual foundations of writing and strategies for teaching it effectively
- The many sites of instruction and support on campus
- Writing and communication-related news, programs, and events