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First-Year Writing Courses

Dartmouth’s first-year writing courses—WRIT 5 and WRIT 2-3—provide a foundation for the liberal arts by introducing students to critical writing. Critical writing is a practice of thinking by means of which ideas are discovered, examined, compared, evaluated, refined, and promoted. The Writing Program oversees the first-year seminar courses, which are taught in departments and programs throughout the College. Our first-year courses prepare students to engage fully with their intellectual work in every discipline.

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The Writing Center

The Writing Center is a free service dedicated to helping members of the Dartmouth community develop more effective strategies. If you are a undergraduate student, you can request an appointment by walking into the Writing Center during open hours or schedule a session in advance.

Aerial view of Dartmouth Green in the fall

Directed Self-Placement

Dartmouth uses an online process called Directed Self-Placement (DSP) to help you choose your first-year writing course.

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Dartmouth's First-Year Writing Sequence

All first-year students are required to fulfill Dartmouth's First-Year Writing and First-Year Seminar requirements. Learn about the course choices, scheduling, and registration.