Exemption Portfolio Instructions
Deliver to:
Director of Freshman Rhetoric
316 Wilson Hall
Oakland University
Rochester, MI 48309-4492
Department Phone: (248) 370-4120
To prepare your portfolio, please follow these steps:
 Complete the cover sheet below and attach it to your materials.
 Prepare a letter (suggested limit: one typed page) describing your prior
writing experience and why you think you qualify for exemption from
Oakland’s required writing courses.
 Assemble the graded originals of three papers written for other college
courses, including:
 at least one research essay demonstrating the ability to use a
recognized documentation system
 photocopies of three pages from sources cited in the research essay
so that the handling of source material can be reviewed.
 Submit your portfolio to the Director of Freshman Rhetoric, Department of
Rhetoric, Communication and Journalism, 316 Wilson Hall.
 Expect a response in two weeks from the date of submission of your
materials. You will receive a letter from the address on your cover sheet
indicating whether or not you are exempt. Keep this letter with your other
records from the university if it indicates an exemption. The department will
note your completion of the writing requirement in your university records. If
you are not exempt, the letter will specify what you must do to complete the
writing requirement.
 Pick up your portfolio from the department office as soon as you can.
For your information, current OU catalog information on writing requirements is
reproduced below.
Current Catalog Information on Writing Proficiency
Writing proficiency: Students must demonstrate proficiency in writing at, or within a reasonable time
after, entrance to Oakland University. Entering students transferring 32 or fewer credits must
demonstrate writing proficiency before they accumulate 48 credits in order to register or receive credit
for upper-level courses (those numbered 300 or above). Entering students transferring 33 or more
credits must demonstrate proficiency before they complete 16 credits at Oakland University in order
to register for upper-level courses.
Proficiency may be demonstrated in several ways:
a. By completing RHT 160 with a grade of 2.0 or better.
b. By transferring two college-level English composition courses (at least 6 credits); one course
should cover academic research writing. Students who have completed such courses with
grades of 2.0 or better may submit their transcripts to the registrar for evaluation. Transfer
students who have at least 3 credits in one English composition course may register for RHT
160. Transfer students with less than 3 credits should consult the Direct of Freshman Rhetoric
for advice about placement.
c. By petitioning the Proficiency Committee of the Department of Rhetoric, Communication and
Journalism with a writing portfolio, including:
1.
Identification cover page, including certification that the portfolio writing is the student’s
own work (obtain from the Department of Rhetoric, Communication and Journalism, 316
Wilson Hall, (248) 370-4120).
2.
Letter (suggested limit: one page) addressed to the composition faculty at Oakland
University describing one’s writing experience and development: what one has written, the
process(es) used, and how the documents enclosed demonstrate mastery of the skills
developed in Rhetoric 150 and 160 (see catalog course descriptions).
3.
The graded originals of three single-author papers written by the student for college classes
(Oakland University or other schools). One of these papers must be research writing that
demonstrates competency in a standard system of documentation (preferably MLA or APA;
any other system must be identified). For the research writing, include photocopies of at
least three cited pages from the sources used for the paper.
Portfolio for Exemption from RHT 160 Cover Sheet
Please attach this page to your portfolio.
Name:_________________________________________________
Grizz ID:____________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Phone: (________)_______________________________________
Major:_________________________________________________
Total completed credits to date:________
Please indicate college-level writing courses taken:
course name
college/university
types of writing/papers*
Enclosed are the following graded original documents for my
Rhetoric Portfolio (please write in identification/titles):
1. _______________________________________ written for
_______________________________________ course at
_______________________________________college/university.
2. _______________________________________ written for
_______________________________________ course at
_______________________________________ college/university.
3. _______________________________________ written for
_______________________________________course at
_______________________________________ college/university.
This is my own, unaided work submitted to demonstrate my writing ability
____________________________________ ________________
Signature
Date