english grammar and essay writing university of california berkeley

Have a great summer, Cal writers! Services will return Monday, 9/9. See below to learn more about our services for the Fall.

The SLC Writing Program supports Cal undergraduates in their journey to become more persuasive and purposeful writers. Via student-initiated conferences and peer-facilitated workshops, our services seek to embolden students to take ownership of their growth as writers and scholars. 

Our Philosophy

We operate on the premise that writing is both a tool for intellectual discovery and a means to social and personal empowerment. A writer, we believe, is someone who writes, and the act of writing itself is a fundamental human right. Our mission to support students to become stronger writers is both a professional responsibility and a social justice endeavor.  Our praxis builds on the strengths of collaborative peer pedagogy. We leverage the tremendous drive, resourcefulness, and talents that our tutors and writers bring to the SLC to enhance the collective success and sense of community for all Cal students. By engaging in critical writing-center praxis and innovative peer pedagogy, we take pride in being a community where staff and students support one another to become independent thinkers, thoughtful writers, and positive agents of change. 

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How to Write an Essay

University of California, Berkeley via edX Help

This course may be unavailable.

College Writing 2.1x is an introduction to academic writing for English Language Learners, focusing on essay development, grammatical correctness, and self-editing. The five-week course includes a review of basic grammar terminology and understanding; writing effective sentences and paragraphs; introductions and conclusions; strategies for writing longer texts; and thesis statements. The course materials will be offered via readings and videos. An optional course workbook, in ebook form, may be used for additional writing work. Students will participate in online discussions as well as peer review. Students will complete an essay for this part of the course.

In partnership with the U.S. Department of State

UC Berkeley is partnering with the U.S. Department of State to extend the reach of College Writing 2X. Participating U.S. Embassies will host in-person, facilitated discussions sessions around the course content in order to maximize the learning experience. The State Department-supported EducationUSA network will also offer facilitated discussions in some locations for students interested in pursuing higher education in the United States. This partnership is part of the English Education Alliance (E2A), a global effort of the U.S. Department of State to address the global demand for 21st century English language skills.

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• JJ jualtru 10 years ago Excellent material, excellent activities, but today I am having problems to log in the course and I have already missed a week without doing my homework which is too bad for me. I have enrolled this course and I really want to continue till the end. My e-mail is [email protected] and I would appreciate your help. Helpful
• Mokhinur Azadova 1 year ago Studying science-based subjects has become one of the best ways to get everything related to study. Although it yields some positive outcomes, I assume that art is the same degree as those subjects at large. There are two-fold benefits to studying… Read more Studying science-based subjects has become one of the best ways to get everything related to study. Although it yields some positive outcomes, I assume that art is the same degree as those subjects at large. There are two-fold benefits to studying science-based subjects. FIRST and foremost, students who study science have a great mind as well as strong knowledge, because of working with much more numbers and formulas. Secondly and most importantly, those students never have a problem, when they complete their application to universities because they have true confidence and truth. That means, they can become the best version of themselves anytime with the best great mind. Nevertheless, the seat of art is important for both students' health and thinking. This is because when students have a trouble head ach after science. They can just feel so free through drawing or singing. That is to say, art always helps people to figure out what they want from their lives, and they can get really beautiful thinking. To conclude, I believe that both art and science-based subjects are the same crucial for people for becoming someone in our lives. Helpful
• AA Anonymous 1 year ago Mr. Sajith your good for English Teacher job, you unsuitable political leadership role I can suggest you, you will start private English tuition Class that's suit for you & I saw several rally you were teaching your party members English words that'… Read more Mr. Sajith your good for English Teacher job, you unsuitable political leadership role I can suggest you, you will start private English tuition Class that's suit for you & I saw several rally you were teaching your party members English words that's good but i do not think you can lead your party you lied person you do not have credibility good for English Teacher job, you unsuitable political leadership role I can suggest you, you will start private English tuition Class that's suit for you & I saw several rally you were teaching your party members English words that's good but i do not think you can lead your party you lied person you do not have credibility good for English Teacher job, you unsuitable political leadership role I can suggest you, you will start private English tuition Class that's suit for you & I saw several rally you were teaching your party members English words that's good but i do not think you can lead your party you lied person you do not have credibility Helpful
• AH Abdirizak Nur Hassan 6 years ago this course is very helpful for intermediate students as it gives some strengths for their English writing experiences, motivated students will benefit. Helpful
• HH Hassan Mohamed Hassan 5 years ago To be honest, going through the whole Sentence Guide course (where you write 10 essays in total), will probably be too long. Helpful
• AA Anonymous 9 years ago Helpful
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Berkeley Writing Assessment

Entry-level writing and the berkeley writing assessment.

The Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) is a reading and writing proficiency requirement. It is a prerequisite to the Reading and Composition (R&C) requirement. R&C is a two-part (A & B) college-level reading and writing requirement assigned to all Berkeley undergraduates. Check the Berkeley Guide to review information from your college for more details.

All first-year students entering UC should fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement by the end of their first year of enrollment at Berkeley. The ELWR may be satisfied with a qualifying test score , a college-level English composition course taken before starting at Berkeley, or a passing score on the Berkeley Writing Assessment.

The next Berkeley Writing Assessment will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm.

If you are eligible, you will soon see a registration task available on your calcentral dashboard. if you registered on this website previously, you do not need to re-register., all assessments take place online.  you may take the assessment only once..

A $196 fee for taking this assessment is charged after you finish the assessment. Fee waivers for the Berkeley Writing Assessment are only granted to students who qualified for the UC Application fee waiver. The Berkeley Writing Assessment fee waiver will be automatically processed if you have already qualified for the UC Application fee waiver.

Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for answers to your general questions. 

I have another question about the Assessment. Who do I contact?

You can email College Writing Programs at [email protected] or call the front desk at 510- 642-5570. 

General Questions

What is the berkeley writing assessment.

The Berkeley Writing Assessment is a 2-hour timed reading and writing activity done online. It is made up of a reading passage and questions that you will write an essay in response to, without the assistance of outside readings, books, websites, ChatGPT, or other people. You will also complete a survey that tells us about your experience with writing and writing classes.

• Read more about What is the Berkeley Writing Assessment?

Who should take the Berkeley Writing Assessment?

If you do not have a qualifying exam score at this time, or a C or higher in an English Composition course completed before starting Berkeley, you should consider taking the next available assessment.

The advantage of taking the upcoming assessment is to guarantee you will have the results in time for fall semester enrollment in mid-July to best determine if you will take ...

• Read more about Who should take the Berkeley Writing Assessment?

How do I sign up for the Assessment?

If you are a newly admitted first-year student who has accepted the offer to attend Berkeley, you will be assigned a Task in your CalCentral Dashboard to complete an Entry Level Writing Evaluation form. If you are a continuing Berkeley student, there is a registration link on this page.

You may take the Berkeley Writing Assessment only once.

• Read more about How do I sign up for the Assessment?

How is the Assessment scored?

Each student essay will be read by two raters, working independently, to assign it a score from 1-6. The two scores are combined for the final score.

• Read more about How is the Assessment scored?

How do I pass the Assessment?

This is not an exam in the traditional sense. The Assessment doesn't have passing or failing grades. Instead, it will tell you which composition class is best for you given your skills and experience. If you receive a combined final score of 8 or higher, you will be recommended to take a 4-unit Reading and Composition Part A course in the department of your choice, including College Writing Programs. If your score is lower than 8, you will take College Writing (COLWRIT) R1A , a 6-unit ...

• Read more about How do I pass the Assessment?

How much does the Berkeley Writing Assessment cost?

There is a $196 fee for taking this assessment which is charged after you finish the assessment to your dashboard. You can view the charge in the Cal Central dashboard under the "My Finances" tab. Fee waivers for the Berkeley Writing Assessment are only granted to students who have qualified for the UC Application fee waiver. The Berkeley Writing Assessment fee waiver will be automatically processed if you already qualified for the UC Application fee waiver.

• Read more about How much does the Berkeley Writing Assessment cost?

Can the fee for the Berkeley Writing Assessment be waived?

Fee waivers for the Berkeley Writing Assessment are only granted to students who qualified for the UC Application fee waiver. The Berkeley Writing Assessment fee waiver will be automatically processed if you have already qualified for the UC Application fee waiver.

• Read more about Can the fee for the Berkeley Writing Assessment be waived?

I have a conflict with the most recent Assessment. Are there any make-up times?

Yes, the Berkeley Writing Assessment will be offered two times each year: the May administration (primarily for incoming students) and once during the fall semester. Note that you may take the Assessment only once . If you do not receive a qualifying score the first time you take the Assessment, and you have no other qualifying scores or acceptable transfer course completed prior to stating Berkeley, you should enroll in COLWRIT R1A

• Read more about I have a conflict with the most recent Assessment. Are there any make-up times?

Do I need to take the Assessment in order to enroll in COLWRIT R1A?

No, you may enroll directly in COLWRIT R1A without an assessment score. Many students appreciate taking the course as a way to improve their reading and writing skills in a small class environment (College Writing classes have only 14 students per section). The class is designed to set you up for success with your future writing assignments at Berkeley.

• Read more about Do I need to take the Assessment in order to enroll in COLWRIT R1A?

I took the BWA. How long will it be until I get my score?

It generally takes around 3 weeks for your essay to be scored and for the score to be submitted before it appears in your records. You can find your BWA scores on your Cal Central dashboard under the "My Academics" tab.

• Read more about I took the BWA. How long will it be until I get my score?

How do I know which test scores satisfy ELWR?

A list of accepted tests and scores is found on the University of California Entry Level Writing Requirement page.

• Read more about How do I know which test scores satisfy ELWR?

Is the digital SAT approved to meet the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)?

No, unfortunately the digital SAT has not yet been approved to meet the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).

• Read more about Is the digital SAT approved to meet the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)?

I am confused about ACT Scores. How do they count?

There are two types of ACT scores: a score on English Language Arts (ELA) which is given if you complete the optional Writing test; and another score on English + Reading if you do not complete the optional Writing test.

If you have an ELA score, you will need a 30 or better to meet the ELWR.

If you have an English + Reading score, you will need a combined score (a sum of the English and Reading scores) of 63 or better to meet the ELWR . The combined score must be from a single sitting, in other words, from the same exam. You cannot combine scores from multiple exam...

• Read more about I am confused about ACT Scores. How do they count?

How and where do I send my exam scores to satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)?

If you intend to use an exam score to satisfy the ELWR, you must request that your official scores be sent to Berkeley via the testing agency's website as soon as all of your scores are available to make sure they're received in time. Be sure to use the college code 0444 for the ACT and 4833 for the SAT.

• Read more about How and where do I send my exam scores to satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)?

Can I use scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET) to satisfy the ELWR?

No, not for the Entry Level Writing Requirement. TOEFL, IELTS, or DET scores may be used to demonstrate English language proficiency , but are not acceptable for the ELWR.

You can see which exams may be used to satisfy the ELWR on the UC ELWR website .

• Read more about Can I use scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET) to satisfy the ELWR?

Can I use my Smarter Balanced score to satisfy ELWR?

No. The Smarter Balanced score is used by some campuses as an additional piece of information for placement into courses. UC Berkeley does not currently use the Smarter Balanced Assessment.

• Read more about Can I use my Smarter Balanced score to satisfy ELWR?

I am waiting on an AP or IB score - why should I consider taking the Assessment in May?

If you are interested in enrolling in an Reading and Composition course during the fall semester, then satisfaction of Entry Level Writing must be confirmed before the start of enrollment in mid-July. It may be to your advantage to take the Assessment in the annual May date as a back-up in case you do not receive the minimum score needed on your AP or IB exam.

If you decide not to take the Assessment in May, and you do not receive a qualifying AP or IB exam score, you can still take a make-up Assessment during the fall semester and ...

• Read more about I am waiting on an AP or IB score - why should I consider taking the Assessment in May?

Will my Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course I completed in high school satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement if I haven't taken the exam?

No, an AP or IB course alone will not satisfy the ELWR. You must have an acceptable score on these exams to meet the ELWR. You can view acceptable exam scores on the University of California ELWR website .

• Read more about Will my Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course I completed in high school satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement if I haven't taken the exam?

College Level Coursework

I have taken an english composition course that may qualify. how do i know if the course i completed will satisfy the elwr when will i know should i consider taking the assessment.

A California Community College course that is published on ASSIST under the General Education/Breadth agreement as articulated to ENGLISH R1A or ENGLISH R1B will satisfy Entry Level Writing. You must earn a grade of “C” or better for the course to meet ELWR. Follow the steps below to determine if your California Community College course articulates to ENGLISH R1A or ENGLISH R1B:

Visit ASSIST.org

In the box labeled “Search below for articulation agreements” select:

Academic ...

• Read more about I have taken an English composition course that may qualify. How do I know if the course I completed will satisfy the ELWR? When will I know? Should I consider taking the Assessment?

My school offers Dual Enrollment classes at the affiliated college. Will these courses meet the ELWR?

College level coursework must be posted on an official college transcript to be considered for meeting the criteria listed for College Courses and satisfying ELWR. If the college level course you completed is posted on your high school transcript only, it will not satisfy the ELWR.

• Read more about My school offers Dual Enrollment classes at the affiliated college. Will these courses meet the ELWR?

Can I complete a college level English course in the summer prior to starting at Berkeley in the fall to meet the ELWR?

Yes, you can complete a college level English course if it meets the qualifications for a College Course. If you choose to complete a college level English course in the summer, you may need to wait until the spring term to register for the next course in the Reading & Composition requirement since your college credit likely won’t be posted in time for fall class registration. If you complete a college level English course in the summer and don’t receive a C grade or better, you may choose to complete the Berkeley Writing Assessment (BWA) on a make-up day, or register directly for...

• Read more about Can I complete a college level English course in the summer prior to starting at Berkeley in the fall to meet the ELWR?

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Professional Sequence in Editing

Justin Loughrey is a staff editor at JB Ashtin.

Graduate, Professional Sequence in Editing

Read Justin Loughrey's Story .

Getting Started

Start with ENGLISH X445 Grammar, Mechanics and Usage for Editors .

Online Availability

This program can be completed completely online.

Duration of Study

Most students complete the curriculum in one-and-a-half years.

Estimated Cost

Editors may not get bylines, but their work is everywhere. Position yourself to work in publishing or in corporate communications as an editor, managing editor, copyeditor or developmental editor.

In this sequence of four online courses, you'll review English grammar and usage, progress through introductory and intermediate copyediting, and finish with substantive editing. You'll also become proficient in line editing and developmental editing, learn how to communicate sensitively with authors, and get a glimpse of the freelance life. Courses are taught by professional editors with years of experience, in intimate class sizes with lively discussions.

Required Courses

4 Course(s)

120 Course(s)

You must take the required courses in the order listed. Each course serves as a prerequisite for the next course in the sequence.

Certificate and Program Policies

• Substitutions and Waivers
• Financial Aid
• Transcripts and Records

Contact Information

To contact the department office, email [email protected] .

Prerequisites

You must be proficient in English and have a solid grasp of English grammar.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum comprises 4 required courses for a total of 8 semester units (120 hours of instruction). Candidates must pay a nonrefundable program registration fee.

All courses must be taken for a letter grade. To receive the Award of Completion, you must complete each course with a grade of C or better. All coursework must be completed within three years.

How to Register

By registering, you declare your intention to complete the curriculum. To register online for the Professional Sequence in Editing, complete these two steps:

• Submit the online registration , and complete your student account profile if you are a new student.
• Pay the nonrefundable registration fee through your shopping cart. Please allow 3–5 business days for the registration to appear in your student account.

Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The program has an estimated total cost of $3,600 (not including course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.

Certificate and Award Request

Once you have completed the program coursework, notify UC Berkeley Extension that you have completed the curriculum and request your Award of Completion. Send an email to [email protected] . After your records have been reviewed, verified and approved (usually within two to three weeks), your Award of Completion will be mailed to you.

Session Time-Out

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