Writing Program

DSP: Start Here

This is a cartoon Sammy Slug working at a laptop.They are wearing a pink hoodie, earphones, and glasses. The laptop says "Writing Program" on the back.

UCSC students complete the Directed Self-Placement (DSP), as part of summer orientation, to place into their writing courses. Learn more below!

What is Directed Self-Placement (DSP)? Why does UCSC use DSP to place students into writing courses?

What is the DSP process for students? How does it work?

FAQs about DSP

Choose Your UCSC Writing Course! Writing 1: Introduction to Composition Why take Writing 1? Writing 1 is about moving on from high-school writing, where you may have only focused on “the five-paragraph essay” and thesis-driven writing. You will learn to write in new forms and to specific audiences (and not just the teacher/professor). Taking two university writing courses–Writing 1 and Writing 2–is similar to what most students take at other universities. When do students take Writing 1? Students take Writing 1 in fall or winter of their first year of college. After Writing 1, students take Writing 2. Writing 1 meets the Entry Level Writing Requirement. Writing 1E: Introduction to Composition (for multilingual students) First read the description for Writing 1 above. Writing 1E meets the same requirement as Writing 1 and is offered during the same quarters. Why choose Writing 1E instead of Writing 1? Writing 1E is taught by faculty with expertise with writers who speak multiple languages (sometimes called multilingual writers). Writing 1E meets the Entry Level Writing Requirement. Writing 2: Rhetoric and Inquiry Why take Writing 2? Writing 2 is about producing complex research projects for specific audiences. Taking Writing 2 as your single writing course means you will have ten weeks of writing instruction at UCSC. When do students take Writing 2? Students typically take Writing 2 in their second year of college. Writing 2 meets the Composition (“C”) Requirement. Writing 26: Writing About Language (for multilingual-international students) Why take Writing 26? Writing 26 is a course that focuses on becoming more comfortable writing in English. Writing 26 students are typically international, multilingual students. When do students take Writing 26? Students take Writing 26 in fall quarter of their first year. Students take Writing 1E and Writing 2 after completing Writing 26. Questions? Email writingplacement@ucsc.edu.
Last modified: Apr 21, 2025