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Department of English

Writing Program at Illinois State

The mission of the First Year Writing Program at Illinois State University is to support the instruction of ENG 101 and ENG 145 courses. This includes both training instructors in techniques for successful teaching generally, and helping instructors understand the course and program goals. Our mission also includes the production of course materials and resources for instructors.

The Writing Program at ISU administers two general education writing courses:

  • The ENG 101 series courses, which include ENG 101 and ENG 101.10. The ENG 101 course is part of the university's core curriculum. With COMM 110 (a speech communication course), it is part of a two-semester sequence designed to foster specific skills and knowledge for students entering the university.
  • The ENG 145 series courses, which include ENG 145 and ENG 145.13 are intermediate-level composition courses that fulfill writing a requirement for students in programs across the university.

More information about the first year writing program is available at the ISU Writing Program website.

Contact Information

Director of the Writing Program

Rachel Gramer
Associate Professor
Stevenson 133A
(309) 438-1402

Program Coordinator of the Writing Program

Maegan Gaddis
Stevenson 133A
(309) 438-3957

Information and Resources

Courses

The Writing Program at Illinois State offers a variety of first-year writing courses as well as special themed sections of these courses. Learn more about our first-year writing courses

Forms and Documents

Locate forms and documents used by the Writing Program. Learn more about our forms

Student Concerns and Grade Appeals

Students sometimes have questions or concerns about their ENG 101 or ENG 145 series course or grade. By following the steps below, students are able to file a concern or grade appeal with the Writing Program. Due to FERPA Laws, University employees are limited to discussing concerns and grade appeals with students only. Parents who wish to contact the Writing Program should do so with the understanding that there will be a delay in response until verification has been made with University officials that proper documentation is on file to have the conversation.

  • Students should make their best effort to request a meeting with their instructor to discuss their concerns or grade appeal. Many times, a meeting with the instructor is all it takes to solve an issue. (Remember: Grade Appeals may only be made on final grades after the course has been completed).
  • If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, of if there is a reason the student cannot schedule a meeting with their instructor, they may send an email to the Assistant Director, Maegan Gaddis.
  • A member of the Writing Program Administrative Team will contact the student within 48 business hours of receiving the submission to discuss their concern.
  • After consulting with the student, the Writing Program will contact the instructor for their statement and supporting documents.
  • The Writing Program Administrative Team will make a decision based on all evidence and claims, and report the decision to the student and instructor. The timeframe on this flexes, based on the individual situation.

If you have any questions on the process for filing a Student Concern or Grade Appeal, please contact Maegan Gaddis.

Grassroots Writing Research Journal

The Grassroots Writing Research Journal is the primary text for ENG 101. Beginning in Fall 2012, it will also serve as the primary text for ENG 145. The title of the journal reflects our aspirations--to present writing research by different authors and in a wide range of different topics, forms, and media.

The journal solicits authors from among the students and faculty at Illinois State University as well as among communities beyond the university. We encourage authors to share not only what they've learned about writing, but how they learned it. Thus, each new volume brings together a diverse collection of articles that all enact some form of writing research from a variety of authors. We publish a new volume of the journal each semester. However, purchasing an issue also includes access to the articles published in previous editions.

For questions or to submit to the Grassroots Writing Research Journal, contact Journal Editor Joyce Walker.

University Writing Resources