Centre for Writing and Rhetoric
Why teach communication?
Innovators in engineering, product and systems design, service design, software design and architecture require strong communication skills (in multiple modes) to interface with stakeholders, clients, and their colleagues.
We wish to produce technically proficient graduates and leaders who can communicate ideas and be innovative designers.
Communication at SUTD
SUTD seeks to implement a targeted Communications Intensive (CI) programme as part of our engineering and architecture degrees. Our aim is to equip students with knowledge of communication strategies in order to disseminate their innovative plans and ideas, in both academic and professional contexts.
The Centre for Writing and Rhetoric (CWR) sees Cl as an integral part of the entire curriculum, giving students the necessary training in all forms of communication they need to succeed in their chosen field.
Hence, Cl is a collaborative process between faculty and students with the support of communications advisors.
By integrating Cl instruction and assessment into current SUTD courses, the CWR seeks to guide students at various stages of skills acquisition so they become proficient communicators, enabling them to move forward with confidence in their future careers.
What's next
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Frequently asked questions
What is Freshmore Communication Programme (FCP)?
The Freshmore Communication Programme (FCP) is a mandatory no fuss six weeks crash course designed to bring all undergraduates’ academic writing up to speed.
This mandatory module will take place in Term 3.
What is Freshmore English Programme (FEP)?
The FEP, or the Freshmore English Programme is a 4-week (4 hours per week) English module that is offered in Term 1 for selected Freshmore students. Lessons are conducted twice a week, for 2 hours at a time. This is a Pass/Fail module and the grades will appear on the student’s transcript when they graduate from SUTD. Students have to pass FEP in order to graduate.
During the module, students will have the opportunity to learn essay writing skills and techniques, pick up close reading and critical reading skills, learn textual analysis and write critical responses to academic-based articles.
The English Writing Entrance Test (EWET) in SUTD
The EWET is the English Writing Entrance Test conducted by SUTD for selected Freshmore students in Term 1. It is an English Diagnostic Test run by the Centre for Writing and Rhetoric (CWR) to ensure that undergraduate students have the necessary skills to cope with HASS readings, essays and other courses that require some form of writing. Students who fail the EWET are not expected to withdraw from SUTD. However, they are required to take two additional modules – Freshmore English Programme in Term 1, as well as Freshmore Communication Programme in Term 3, during their Freshmore year.
Freshmore English Programme (FEP)
- Duration: Eight weeks (16 hours); weekly (2hrs)
- Start: Term 1 – academic Week 3
- Outcome: This is a Pass/Fail module and the grades will appear on the student’s transcript when they graduate from SUTD. Students have to pass FEP in order to graduate.
During the module, students will have the opportunity to learn essay writing skills and techniques, pick up close reading and critical reading skills, learn textual analysis and write critical responses to academic based articles.
Exemptions will be given for students who meet the criteria stated in the table below. If students submit more than one category of scores, the category with the higher score will be considered for the exemption.
| Examination Body | Subject | Score |
| Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ Level | General Paper (H1 Level GP) | C and above |
| Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ Level | Knowledge Inquiry (KI) | C and above |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | Theory of Knowledge | C and above |
| NUS High School of Mathematics and Science | For students from Class of 2021 and later
EL5131: Critical Reading and Writing II: The Global Connection; or EL6131: Critical reading and writing III: Emerging issues in a changing world; or EL6132 Language for Personal & Professional Communication |
B- and above |
| NUS High School of Mathematics and Science | For students from Class of 2020 and earlier
EL5101 Language in Society II and EL6103 Language in Society |
B and above in both |
All students without the above minimum qualifications and scores must take the EWET.
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