Writing excellence

Learning, Thinking, Writing

In study after study, employers say communication is one of the most important skills they look for in new hires. The rhetoric and composition courses offered by the Writing Excellence program emphasize writing as learning and a means for honing critical thinking skills.

Writing is not a skill separate from thinking and learning but at the very heart of both.

Writing Portfolio

To give you a leg up, we’ll ask you to demonstrate writing proficiency before graduation. The Writing Portfolio, a General Education requirement, gives students the opportunity to showcase their best writing across diverse genres. Plan to have your portfolio evaluated fall semester of your junior year.

Writing Intensive Courses

Writing Intensive courses are also available in many majors, and are meant to help students learn the craft of writing in different disciplines. No matter what field you go into, being able to communicate with teammates and supervisors is key to thriving at work.

Meet the Faculty

Chrissy Auger
Visiting Assistant Professor of Rhetoric
Ph.D., University of South Florida
augerca@eckerd.edu

Professor Dobbins in front of tree

Zachary Dobbins
Assistant Professor of Rhetoric
Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
dobbinzw@eckerd.edu

Professor Kelly wearing sunglasses

William Kelly ’80
Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Director of the Writing Excellence Program
Ph.D., University of South Florida
kellywb@eckerd.edu

Professor Spohrer on the quad

Erika Spohrer
Associate Professor of Rhetoric
Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
spohreea@eckerd.edu

Alexis Ramsey-Tobienne
Associate Professor of Rhetoric
Ph.D., Purdue University
ramseyae@eckerd.edu

Student writing on laptop in the library

Writing Excellence award winners

Each year, we recognize outstanding portfolios with the George P.E. Meese Writing Excellence award. These portfolios, which are bound and housed in the library, reflect exceptional student writing from a range of disciplines.

The 2018 Writing Excellence award winners:

  • Sabrina Cunningham ’19
  • Nicholas Dalton ’19
  • Kimberly Drake ’21
  • Margaret Kurtz ’20
  • Margaret Lyons ’19
  • Angela Welch ’18
  • Michael Wesner ’19
  • Samuel York ’19
Door to the writing center with quad reflected in glass

The Writing Center is open Sunday-Thursday 6 -10 p.m. and is staffed by peer tutors ready to help.

Writing Excellence Website For Current Students