Writing II Requirement

Writing is essential to thinking and learning. Clear, concise writing is a key strength for an academic career. Students who write well can lead expressive lives and create powerful communications about their ideas and opinions.

To improve the range and proficiency of undergraduate writing skills, the College created a two-tier writing requirement. To satisfy this requirement, students must first complete the Writing I composition course and subsequently a more advanced Writing II course. All other academic units at UCLA that offer undergraduate programs require their students to complete a College-approved Writing II course or a separate school-approved equivalent. Review additional parameters using the
UCLA School-by-School Writing Requirements Guide.

In Writing I courses, students learn about the basic composition concepts needed for an undergraduate education. In Writing II courses, students further develop critical thinking and written communication skills through an iterative process of drafting and redrafting their prose. Writing II courses center writing as a means to better understand how we think and how to deepen our analytical thinking.

As an integral part of a Writing II course, the curriculum is structured to help students:

• Deepen their understanding of core course content.
• Develop the ability to think critically using a given disciplinary perspective.
• Master and apply these disciplinary modes of thought in the course and transfer them to other academic contexts.
• Advance their practical written communication skills.

Writing II courses are offered in multiple formats, such as large lecture classes with multiple discussion sections or intimate single-class seminars. In these courses, students produce 15 to 20 pages of collective text (approximately 3,750 to 5,000 words) consisting of informal writing, rough drafts, and polished, revised writing.

The courses introduce students to academic writing, often in specific academic genres, while advancing student analytical skills. As they create drafts and revisions, students receive feedback in an iterative process from instructors, alongside structural guidance and comments from peer students. To satisfy the Writing II requirement, students must earn a letter grade of C or better.

Please note that all approved Writing II courses are designated as Impacted Courses and are denoted with a “W” in the schedule of classes. For comprehensive details regarding enrollment limitations, please refer to the
UCLA Registrar’s Office Impacted Course Policy.
For structural teaching criteria, please reference the
Writing II Committee’s Guidelines and Recommendations.