Centre for Writing and Rhetoric
Programmes for undergraduate students
Freshmore Communication Programme (FCP)
All first-year students undergo a mandatory Freshmore Communication Programme (FCP). Students are understandably anxious about the prospects of churning out an academic paper in their Freshmore classes. Imagine having to write a critique about the social theories of Emile Durkheim or a literary criticism of Rabindranath Tagore’s plays. The CWR has devised a no fuss six-week crash course to ease the writing woes of our new students. Designed in close collaboration with HASS faculty, this course helps students reflect on their writing processes in writing journals and obtain critical aid from the CWR in drafting their assignments.
Freshmore English Programme (FEP)
The Freshmore English Programme (FEP) is an 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 the 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.
Advanced Technical Communications in Capstone
Having established the necessary communication repertoire to create basic laboratory reports and data-driven papers, CWR further hones our students’ communication skills to a higher level. We wish to create an environment, whereby our students may find within their means to contribute publishable scientific articles, and policy papers in research institutes in the near future.
Students will also present their data in a way that best conveys the conclusions they have drawn from it. This means using computational and infographics tools to create meaningful and effective charts and graphs, and using such graphical displays to impact clients, stakeholders and academic peers.
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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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