English Guided Self-Placement Survey

Section A: Reflect on Academic Writing Knowledge from Previous Coursework

1. Consider past experiences. When was your last English class?

    1-3 years.

    Within the last 12 months.

    More than 5 years.

    3-5 years.

    

2. What kind of grades did you earn in your last English class?

    A’s.

    B’s.

    C’s.

    Below passing.

    

3. Are you confident in your ability to comprehend what you read?

    Less than confident.

    Extremely confident.

    Confident.

    Not confident at all.

    

4. Are you confident in your ability to write an essay?

    Not confident at all.

    Confident.

    Less than confident.

    Extremely confident.

    

5. Are you confident in your ability to conduct research in a college library?

    Less than confident.

    Not confident at all.

    Extremely confident.

    Confident.

    

Section B: Practice Critical Reading Strategies with College-Level Texts

Read the following passage. Then, consider how prepared you are to engage with such a college-level text. Allow yourself 15 minutes to read, and then answer the questions on your experience of the passage. Do not use your cell phone or internet access to find summaries of the text.

Reading Passage:
Food insecurity: a neglected public health issue requiring multisectoral action (PDF)

1. How much experience do you have with reading this kind of article?

    I have experience.

    I have very little experience.

    I have no experience.

    I have a lot of experience.

    

2. How often did you feel that you were lost or unsure of the author's point?

    I always felt lost or unsure of the author's point.

    I seldom felt lost or unsure of the author's point.

    I felt lost or unsure of the author's point a good deal of the time.

    I know for certain that I understand and can name the author’s point.

    

3. How well could you explain this article to a friend?

    I could explain most of this article to a friend.

    I would have difficulty explaining this article to a friend.

    I could easily explain this article to a friend.

    I would not be able to explain this article to a friend.

    

4. The main purpose of this essay is to …

    Inform

    Explain

    Persuade

    Tell a Story

    

5. When I read …

    I highlight a lot of the reading.

    I make relevant connections to the text. I ask questions.

    I skim the pages as quickly as I can.

    I highlight about 10% of the reading and take notes.

    

6. What is the difference between a main idea and topic?

    The main idea controls the narration.

    I am not sure.

    There is no difference between the main idea and the topic.

    The main idea is something specific about the topic.

    

7. I find it easy to distinguish between fact and opinion when I read a textbook or article.

    I could use a refresher on the differences between fact and opinion in a textbook or article.

    I am often able to distinguish between fact and opinion in a textbook or article.

    Sometimes I can tell the difference between fact and opinion in a textbook or article.

    I always identify and evaluate the facts and opinions in a textbook or article.

    

8. Which statement best describes you as a reader?

    I am easily distracted, and it is hard to focus.

    I can read for 30 minutes without a break. I take notes when I read.

    I think about the way I read. I use reading strategies if text is challenging.

    Reading is challenging, but I can read for 15 minutes before taking a break.

    

9. I can remember what I read.

    My biggest problem is that I do not remember what I read.

    Usually, I remember what I read and can explain it.

    I sometimes remember what I read.

    I always remember what I read and can interpret and evaluate it.

    

10. I use context clues to figure out new and unfamiliar words.

     I do not know meaning of context clues. Sometimes I look up definitions.

     I use context clues before referring to a dictionary.

     Occasionally, I reread the sentence to figure out what a word means.

     I have a strong vocabulary and hardly ever need to look up words.

     

Section C: Complete a Self-Inventory of Writing Fundamentals

Allow 15 minutes to consider and answer the following questions

1. How would you describe yourself as a writer?

    I am able to write comfortably on some topics but could use guidance in formatting and professional communication.

    I lack confidence in my writing, and I do not know when to end my sentences. I struggle with grammar and punctuation. I might need one-on-one assistance.

    I enjoy writing and am confident in my skills and strategies. I can articulate complex ideas with ease.

    I lack confidence in my writing and would like to learn new strategies to develop a writing style.

    

2. What types of writing experience do you have?

    Personal communication ~ texting and social media.

    Some professional communication ~ including professional emails, cover letters, resumes, reports, summaries, analyses.

    Argumentative/analytical/research essays + professional communication ~ including professional emails, cover letters, resumes, reports, summaries, analyses.

    Personal communication ~ texting, social media, journaling, assignments, etc.

    

3. How would you describe your writing process?

    I sometimes create outlines for my work, but I could use help structuring and organizing my ideas.

    I write the way I talk.

    I have good ideas, but sometimes have trouble organizing my thoughts, and putting them on the page.

    I have several strategies for prewriting and drafting. I often write and revise multiple drafts of my work.

    

4. How comfortable are you writing in Standard English grammar?

    I have some trouble knowing where to begin or end my sentences. I need help with grammar, mechanics, and punctuation.

    I am confident in using Standard English grammar conventions and mechanics in my writing. I am mostly concerned with enhancing my rhetorical and analytical skills.

    I need to learn grammar rules so I can express my ideas. I need help writing sentences and paragraphs.

    I am familiar with basic sentence structure, but could use support with other grammar, mechanics, and punctuation issues.

    

5. Which response describes this sentence? "I wish I was a strong writer it’s just that every time I think of an idea that I think of I don’t seem to be able to put it on paper."

    The sentence should be shorter.

    This is a complete sentence with a lot of ideas. No changes are needed.

    The sentence is missing punctuation. The writer needs to add a comma.

    The sentence needs to be concise and structurally sound.

    

6. How often are you told to make corrections (Standard English conventions)?

    Rarely.

    Always.

    Sometimes.

    Never.

    

7. Describe your experience conducting research and finding credible sources for your writing.

    I usually find information on the internet. I have not written a research essay.

    I have never done this kind of work.

    I could use help locating trustworthy sources and interpreting my findings.

    I have experience doing research, am comfortable evaluating sources, and easily connect them to my own writing.

    

8. Describe your experience quoting, paraphrasing, and citing sources.

    I do not have much experience in this area.

    I know it is important to use and cite sources, but I would need a refresher, and assistance with logistics and formatting.

    I have never done this kind of work.

    I have experience incorporating sources into my writing. I know the essentials of quoting, paraphrasing, and citing.

    

9. Imagine you are asked to write a 1,500 word argumentative research essay on the topic of social media and mental health. It must incorporate an original thesis statement and use multiple sources. How confident are you about your ability to complete this assignment?

    I have written a 4 page essay before but not with a thesis. I would need some help to complete this project.

    I have done this type of work before, but I would need a good deal of review to write a long research essay.

    I have not ever written a long research essay. I could not complete this assignment.

    I have done this type of work before and could easily complete this project.

    

10. Which statement honestly reflects your reaction to: "I am familiar with and regularly use library resources."

     I have not used the BTC library, but I know how to search for materials and resources at a library.

     Not really. I have not used a library in a long time.

     Sometimes.

     I will be able to use the BTC library databases for my research papers.

FINAL STEP: Submit your Self-Assessment

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