An Introduction to WAC

What is Writing in the Disciplines?

T he second category of WAC is often called Writing in the Disciplines (WID). Writing assignments of this sort are designed to introduce or give students practice with the language conventions of a discipline as well as with specific formats typical of a given discipline. For example, the engineering lab report includes much different information in a quite different format from the annual business report.

Because WID is used by a large number of WAC programs, this guide presents a great deal of information on WID, including a detailed rationale, examples, and logistical tips.

• A fuller definition of WID
• Alternate forms/formats that mimic professional writing
• Combining WTL with WID
• Sequencing tasks
• Marking papers
• Improving the research paper
• Resource: Improving the research proposal
• Teacher commentary
• Selected print resources
• Other sites on the Internet