Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE)

Getting Help through the Online Writing Lab (OWL)

If you are an EOU on-campus student, you can make an appointment with the Writing Lab Director, Susan Whitelock, to go over your WPE to discuss how to write a better WPE the next time. The Director may refer you to a tutor with whom you can do practiceWPEs. To make an appointment, call 962-3853 or send an email to swhitelo@eou.edu. Or you can drop by the Writing Lab in Loso Hall 234 to make an appointment.

If you are a Division of Distance Education (DDE) student who did not pass the WPE, the Online Writing Lab (OWL) can give you feedback on your "no pass" exam, or help you practice in order to prepare to retake the exam. If you have not yet taken the WPE, the OWL can also help you to practice to take the exam for the first time.

STEP 1

Click on "Resources for Writers." On that page’s menu, click on WPE. Here you will find a menu of resources that you may find helpful, especially" Cheri’s Tips for Passing the WPE."

Also, be sure to click on the "Academic Advising’s WPE Information Links" provided on this page. This will take you to Advising’s WPE page. Scroll down to the bottom of this page where you will find "Links for More Information" about the WPE. These links include the following information:

"A Student-Written Guide to the WPE"
"WPE Workshop and Tips for Students"
"Frequently Asked Questions"
"Debunking the Myths and Campus Lore"
"Brainstorming Tips for Your Essay"
"Constructing the WPE Essay"

STEP 2

Submit your exam to the OWL to get feedback on your performance on your "no pass" exam. The Writing Lab Director or an experienced tutor will respond to your draft by explaining what you might do in the next exam to improve your writing.

How to Submit a completed WPE to the OWL:

Your advisor should be able to provide you with a copy of your scored exam with score sheets attached. Go to the OWL homepage and click on "Submit a Draft Online."

Follow the steps for registering if you have not registered before. Then click on "Submit an Initial Draft." Complete all of the fields on the form, giving your reader as much information as you can. Be sure to include the name of the prompt to which you responded. Also include the comments made by your responders. Indicate which areas they noted needed improvement. Then copy and paste your WPE draft from your word processing program into the field provided.

How to Submit Practice Drafts to the OWL:

Go to the OWL homepage and click on "Resources for Writers." On the "Resources for Writers" page, click on "WPE Practice Prompts." Select one of the prompts and compose a response, limiting yourself to 3 hours, the usual time allowed for the exam. Do not have others help you, so that what you submit is a true picture of your writing ability.

Submit your response to the OWL by going to the "Submit a Draft Online" page—"Initial Draft" and follow the steps outlined above. Be sure to register (you need register only once per school year). Complete the form and copy and paste your draft from your word processing program.

After you have received a response, you can revise the draft based on the suggestions and tools provided by the tutor. Submit the revised draft through the "Submit a Revision" page. Be sure to indicate which tutor responded to the initial draft. Feel free to ask your tutor questions on that page. Do not send revisions to the tutor directly. All drafts must be submitted through the OWL.

You may also choose to do a second practice exam. Just select another prompt and follow the above procedures.