HOWARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL Expository Writing Examination (EWE)

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE
SCHOOLExpository Writing Examination (EWE)

• Gwendolyn S. Bethea, Ph.D.
• Director, Communications
• and Expository Writing Program
• 202-806-7277
• gbethea_at_howard.edu

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What is the Expository Writing Examination (EWE)?

• 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
  Masters and Doctoral Degree
• Should be taken in the beginning of the graduate
  program

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What are Your Common Writing Errors?

• Inadequate Punctuation
• Sentences too long
• Writing in the abstract
• Paragraphs too long
• Transitioning
• Staying focused

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What is EPE (continued)?
E

• 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.)

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How is EPE Administered?

• Taken on Computer
• Special arrangements can be made for exempt
  students who prefer to write their exams

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Who Must Take the EPE?

• 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)

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Is Registration Required for the Exam?

• Registration is required online
• (www.gs.howard.edu/pass)
• Only registered students can take the examination

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How is the Exam Graded?

• 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

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Who is Exempt?

• 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

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Academic Communication Course

• 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

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• When and Where is the Exam Administered?
• Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters
• Founders Library, Digital Classroom, or ilab
• Dates and times vary

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Writing the Examination

• 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

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Resources and Guides

• 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/

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What Happens After the Examination?

• 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

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For more information

• Visit the
• Program for Academic Support Services website
• www.gs.howard.edu/pass
• gbethea_at_howard.edu
• 806-7277/6800