For individual presentations that relate to a common theme or project, it is highly desirable that the presentations be organized in a panel format, with a student moderator. At least one presentation must involve the development and use of appropriate visual aids, and it is desirable that all presentations do so. Each student must be involved in the individual preparation and delivery of at least 2 course related presentations one of at least 5 minutes duration and one of at least 8-10 minutes duration, to an audience of about 20 persons. The 8-10 minute presentation, must be a formal individual presentation, and must involve questions from the audience and responses by the presenter. Instructors are encouraged to have students write an ungraded diagnostic composition on or near the first day of class to help assess writing ability and general competence in the discipline.
Teachers regularly evaluate students' writing and inform students of their progress.
If possible, a writing activity should comprise a major portion of the final examination. Courses meeting all the general guidelines will, of course, also be acceptable. The course must also meet the other general guidelines. To grade a course on written work means to use the student's written work as the basis for his or her grade. Written work is graded mainly on content and organization, with tone, word choice, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling accounting for a smaller fraction of the grade.