This class isn't the kind that you're going to "enjoy," but it is probably worth it to take it anyways, especially if you're coming into UVic with limited writing experience. If you're not already a good writer, expecting your writing to get critiqued like crazy, and expect weekly writing assignments (although usually only a few hundred words). Its also not the most interesting content at all - do you want to attend a whole lecture on just topic sentences? However, the class is definitely worth it in the end if as you'll gain the confidence to write good essays, something you'll have to do sooner or later. Also, if you're scared of the library or doing "research" (like me!), you'll find the class very useful as research skills is one of the major topics of the class. Whether you like it or...read more

All the basics of academic writing: summarizing, rhetoric/writing persuasively, research skills, editing skills, citational practice, writing research papers.

Dr. Day is the kind of prof that you'll hate at the beginning of the semester but he gets better toward the end of the semester. Compared to some of the other ATWP profs, he was often deliberately vague about some of the assignments, but this was beneficial in the end as his lectures were applicable in a more broader sense - he taught how to write, not how to succeed in ATWP. On the whole, his lectures were interesting (for a writing class), and were generally quite useful. He's also a very hard grader (especially about grammatical errors), but gives good feedback that you can use to improve your writing. Don't take his class expecting an easy A if you're not already a good writer. Dr. Day also held 3 office hours/week and was very open to questions, which was great.

If you've not naturally a good writer, expect to get bad grades on the first few assignments (that was me). However, it does get better! Be prepared to make serious changes to your writing process and/or spend lots of time editing your writing, but it is possible to improve your grades if you do poorly on the first few assignments.

If you enjoy writing academic papers or writing in general, this course is a piece of cake! If you're like me and are not a big fan of writing, then it will be a little bit more difficult, but still doable for sure!

This course teaches the basics of summary/paraphrasing, persuasive writing, peer review, researching, and writing research papers, all useful skills for any future courses requiring lots of writing.

Dr. Stuart is an absolute gem! He cares deeply for his students' wellbeing and will go the extra mile to accommodate their needs to the best of his ability. His feedback is clear and concise, and his lectures, while rather long, are very interesting.

There are many resources at your disposal, so be sure to watch the lecture videos, do the readings, and of course, attend office hours to ask any questions you may have!

Because I've only taken this class with Dr. Stuart, I obviously will recommend him first, but I heard there are many other awesome profs who teach this course!

Really easy course, a few short writing assignments with a paper due at the end of term and a easy final. Was asynchronous, Oswald gives tons of information about assignments and is also very understanding.

Watch the videos and read the notes and you should be fine.

Did not enjoy the course at all... Professor Spada is very nice but the course was not good whatsoever. The course is designed very poorly: confusing topics and seemingly useless assignments made for a very bad experience. If this class was not a requirement for my program I would never have taken it. But Professor Spada is very nice and gives good feedback.

Avoid if you can!!!!

Guy functions better in person; this much was evident by interacting with him through zoom calls - too much of a boomer with tech lol kept messing up posting things and what not. The way atwp 135 is kinda ass; some students find it harder since its asynch, so do your best to keep up.

get gud at summarizing and persuasive writing