Directed Self-Placement

Welcome to Directed Self-Placement at Appalachian!

The Rhetoric and Writing Studies Program at Appalachian State believes that students know best which course is the most appropriate option for beginning their college writing journeys. Along those lines, we utilize a system of Directed Self-Placement, which, rather than using timed writing prompts or test scores, emphasizes students’ control over selecting their first college-level writing course at Appalachian. Research focused on placement decisions shows us that students' own self-assessment of their writing skill is the best predictor of how they will perform in college writing courses.

Appalachian State University students enroll in a writing course all four years of their undergraduate career, progressing through the University’s vertical writing curriculum with each course. The first two years of writing courses are housed in the Rhetoric and Composition (RC) Program, within the Department of English, where students receive a solid foundation in academic writing and in writing across the curriculum. The remaining two years of writing instruction are located within students’ majors, where they learn the types of writing that are valued in their chosen disciplines. Appalachian’s Vertical Writing Curriculum ensures that each student graduates with well-developed critical thinking skills and competitive writing skills; in turn, graduates leave the University with writing experience that establishes them as professionally desirable and marketable.

Infographic explaining each year of the vertical writing curriculum

Download the fully accessible PDF here.

During the first year of study, students should complete the first-year writing requirement, earning credit for RC 1000. Students have three options for satisfying this requirement. (If a student took the AP test for English Language & Composition or the IB exam, they may already have credit for RC 1000. Please check here to see if an earned score qualifies for this credit.) Most students enroll directly into RC 1000 (Expository Writing). However, some students find that they are not quite prepared for the rigors of college writing and instead elect to enroll in co-requisite writing courses, RC 1000 plus RC 2000—a one-hour course that offers additional support for students’ development of their writing abilities [to request permission to register for this course, please use this form. Lastly, students who are very confident in their writing skills and experience can elect to register and attempt the Challenge Essay.

What’s the Difference between RC 1000 and RC 1000+2000?

Option 1—R_C 1000: Expository Writing	Option 2—R_C 1000 + R_C 2000: Expository Writing PLUS Writing Lab
Graded, 3-credit hour, required, academic writing course. Completed during your first 30 hours at Appalachian. Requires process writing, culminating in a final e-portfolio. Curriculum focuses primarily on analysis, argumentation, and academic research skills with a heavy emphasis on information literacy. Assignments require effectively focusing on one idea, developing that idea, supporting it with credible evidence, accurately documenting sources, and organizing your writing for an academic audience. Most sections feature multimodal composing to prepare students for the variety of writing situations and tools they will later encounter. Some sections are themed or include a service-learning component. Ideally, a student who chooses to enroll in RC 1000 should be confident that she/he has a sufficient foundation in academic writing to meet the challenges and expectations of college-level writing.	Graded, 4-credit hour, academic writing course + 2-hour online writing lab. Completed during your first 30 hours at Appalachian. Requires process writing, culminating in a final e-portfolio. Curriculum introduces college writing, while also emphasizing analysis, argumentation, academic research skills, and information literacy. Assignments require effectively focusing on one idea, developing that idea, supporting it with credible evidence, accurately documenting sources, and organizing your writing for an academic audience. Most sections feature multimodal composing to prepare students for the variety of writing situations and tools they will later encounter. Co-requisite writing lab allows students to receive additional one-on-one support from their writing instructor, ranging from work on sentence-level issues to holistic draft revisions. Registration approval is required to enroll in these courses. Ideally, a student who chooses to enroll in RC 1000 + RC 2000 recognizes her/his ability to be successful in a college-level writing course with additional personal investment and instructor support.

Option 1—R_C 1000: Expository Writing

Option 2—R_C 1000 + R_C 2000:

Expository Writing PLUS Writing Lab

Graded, 3-credit hour, required, academic writing course.
Completed during your first 30 hours at Appalachian.
Requires process writing, culminating in a final e-portfolio.
Curriculum focuses primarily on analysis, argumentation, and academic research skills with a heavy emphasis on information literacy.
Assignments require effectively focusing on one idea, developing that idea, supporting it with credible evidence, accurately documenting sources, and organizing your writing for an academic audience.
Most sections feature multimodal composing to prepare students for the variety of writing situations and tools they will later encounter.
Some sections are themed or include a service-learning component.
Ideally, a student who chooses to enroll in RC 1000 should be confident that she/he has a sufficient foundation in academic writing to meet the challenges and expectations of college-level writing.

Graded, 4-credit hour, academic writing course + 2-hour online writing lab.
Completed during your first 30 hours at Appalachian.
Requires process writing, culminating in a final e-portfolio.
Curriculum introduces college writing, while also emphasizing analysis, argumentation, academic research skills, and information literacy.
Assignments require effectively focusing on one idea, developing that idea, supporting it with credible evidence, accurately documenting sources, and organizing your writing for an academic audience.
Most sections feature multimodal composing to prepare students for the variety of writing situations and tools they will later encounter.
Co-requisite writing lab allows students to receive additional one-on-one support from their writing instructor, ranging from work on sentence-level issues to holistic draft revisions.
Registration approval is required to enroll in these courses.
Ideally, a student who chooses to enroll in RC 1000 + RC 2000 recognizes her/his ability to be successful in a college-level writing course with additional personal investment and instructor support.

What is the Challenge Essay?

The Challenge Essay presents incoming students who are confident that they are advanced writers the possibility of placing out of the first-year writing course. The Challenge assignment consists of writing a 4-to-5-page, research-based argument in response to a unique assignment prompt.

The DSP Self-Inventory, combined with students’ own experiences, may help them determine that they are experienced writers who want to place out of RC 1000 by attempting the Challenge Essay. The Challenge Essay is both optional and free.

Sample Challenge Prompt

Sample Challenge Sources

If DSP readers agree that your essay demonstrates advanced writing skills, you will pass the Challenge and satisfy the requirement for RC 1000. Passing the Challenge does not result in earning three credit hours toward graduation; however, you will be given the prerequisite credit necessary for enrolling in courses that require RC 1000 credit, such as RC 2001. Should you have questions about the Challenge Essay, email the Director of DSP, Ben Good (goodbp@appstate.edu).

RC 1000 credit for first-year writing image

Students can sign-up for one Challenge window, registering online prior to the start of the selected Challenge attempt. It is important to note that you MUST register for the Challenge before 8 a.m. on the first day of a Challenge window. Once you have submitted your online Challenge request, you will receive more information from the DSP Team via email, and one week prior to the start of the Challenge, you will be given access to the Challenge’s AsULearn site, where you will ultimately find the assignment and expectations, access the provided sources, and submit your completed essay.

2025-2026 Challenge Dates

June 10 - 14, 2025 (Tues.-Sat.)
July 8 - 12, 2025 (Tues.-Sat.)
July 23 - 27, 2025 (Tues.-Sat.)
August 5 - 9, 2025 (Tues.-Sat.)
August 15 - 19, 2025 (Fri.-Tues.)
November 4 - 8, 2025 (Tues.-Sat.)
January 6 - 10, 2026 (Tues.-Sat.)

Yosef statue in spring time

Making Your Placement Decision

The decision regarding which class students choose to begin their study of writing at Appalachian is up to them. In making this academic choice, students should consider the above course information and discussions with their advisors. More than anything, though, students should reflect on and evaluate honestly their own writing abilities and confidence in their readiness for the rigors of college writing. Additionally, the First-year Writing Placement Survey could also influence this academic decision, as it produces tentative recommendations for which course might best serve them. The final decision, though, remains each student's.

If a student is still uncertain about which choice is best for them, please consider contacting the director of DSP, Ben Good, in addition to discussing this choice during advising sessions.

The DSP Team, as well as the Rhetoric and Composition faculty, look forward to working with each student as they pursue their academic goals at Appalachian.

Rhetoric and Composition Program