1. HOWARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL Expository Writing Examination (EWE) Gwendolyn S. Bethea, Ph.D. Director, Communications and Expository Writing Program 202-806-7277 gbethea@howard.edu

2.  Measures writing skills  Shows how well you can explain, describe, or inform a reader  Is a Diagnostic and Teaching Tool  Was mandated by the Board of Trustees  Is one of the prerequisites for Candidacy for Master’s and Doctoral Degree  Should be taken in the beginning of the graduate program What is the Expository Writing Examination (EWE)?

3.  Consists of a 500-word essay on one of several topics provided by the Program for Academic Support Services Office (PASS) ◦ Current events, topics of general interest ◦ (example, the health crisis, politics, social issues, etc.) E What is EWE (continued)?

4.  Taken on Computer  Special arrangements can be made for exempt students who prefer to write their exams How is EWE Administered?

5.  All students admitted to the Graduate School, including ◦ Speakers of English as a Second Language  Special provisions provided for students with special needs (please call the PASS office: 806-7277) Who Must Take the EWE?

6.  Registration is required online: (www.gs.howard.edu/pass)www.gs.howard.edu  Only registered students can take the examination Is Registration Required for the Exam?

7.  Graded by at least two External Reviewers with Writing and Grammar Expertise  If you score 5 or better, you will receive a Certificate of Completion without review  If you score between 4 and 5, you must meet with the Program Director or Writing Lab Assistant and, if necessary, take an online tutorial before receiving the certificate  If you score below 4, you must take a One-Credit Academic Communication Course to improve writing skills; a certificate of completion is provided upon completion of tutorial and/or course How is the Exam Graded?

8.  Scorers of 5 or above on the GRE Writing Examination are exempt  Documentation is required  A certificate of compliance with the Writing Requirement will be issued by PASS office Who is Exempt?

9.  If you fail the examination, you are required to take the Academic Communication Course  Focuses on mechanics of writing ◦ Grammar, spelling, and punctuation ◦ Content and development of writing (thesis development, paragraph structure, and organization ◦ Taken in the Center for Academic Support, School of Education (Academic Support Building); other locations on campus as necessary; consult online course scheduling during registration; also access link on PASS website Academic Communication Course

10. When and Where is the Exam Administered?  Fall and Spring Semesters Founders Library, Digital Classroom, Room 116, May 13-16, 2013, Session times: 10 a.m. to 1p.m.

11.  Compose Comprehensive Outline  Determine Main Idea/Thesis Statement  Compose Topic Sentences ( to introduce paragraphs) and use Supportive Sentences  Use Transitional Phrases between paragraphs  Summarize as appropriate  Ensure proper punctuation for clarity  Ensure noun/verb agreement  Check grammar, spelling; end with strong conclusion  Edit separately for content, grammar, spelling; end with strong conclusion Writing the Examination

12.  Graduate School Study Guide www.gs.howard.edu/pass/study_guide.pdf  Purdue Online Writing Lab owl.english.purdue.edu/owl  Common Errors in English Usage by Paul Brians www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/erros.html  The English Chick www.englishchick.com/grammar Tips for Writing Essays  www1.aucegypt.edu/academic/writers/ r Resources and Guides

13.  Students advised of results via email  Students arrange appointments to review exams, if necessary  Students pick up certificates at scheduled times  Graduate School sends scores to departments  Students/departments/Graduate School retain records of exam results What Happens After the Examination?

14. Visit the Program for Academic Support Services website: www.gs.howard.edu/pass gbethea@howard.edu 806-7277/6800 For more information