Through introductory work in each seminar's particular field of study, students learn to write in a range of genres and in ways that emphasize clarity, coherence, intellectual force, and stylistic control. All seminars pursue this common aim through small classes, with a maximum of seventeen students, and adherence to a program-wide set of guidelines. Guidance may include, in addition to written commentary on drafts, individual conferences, in-class group work, peer commentary, and so on. Ample classroom time is spent on work directly related to writing. Reading assignments in the course subject are kept under 75 pages per week to permit regular, concentrated work on writing.
All students meet in at least two individual conferences with the instructor.
In general, Cornell students are required to take two semesters of First-Year Writing Seminars. Architecture students take one seminar. Agriculture and Life Sciences students may take two first-year writing seminars or choose from among a variety of other courses to complete their requirement. The Hotel school provides its own seminars. Most students fulfill the writing requirement in the first year.