English & Modern Languages

Directed Self-Placement Survey

Incoming freshmen: to take the Directed Self-Placement (DSP) survey, please find the link in the DSP email sent to your CPP email address on or after May 15. If you cannot find that email, contact Dr. Prins at kkprins@cpp.edu from your CPP email address. (Include "DSP" in the subject line, and your Bronco ID number and a request for a new DSP link in the body of the email.)

Before taking the DSP survey, take a few minutes to read about our Composition sequence options below, as well as to reflect on your experiences with reading and writing for school.

Composition sequence options:

Stretch Composition: ENG 1100 + 1101

This two-semester sequence is for writers who are ready for college-level work but who need to further develop reading, researching, and writing skills. It is designed to develop strategies and skills that will transfer to work in other disciplines to help students be successful in whatever major they choose. Students will develop the abilities below.

Sections with an "M" designation (e.g., ENG 1100M) are specially designed for multilingual speakers.

  • Fluency in timed writing and other quick-turnaround situations.
  • Reading strategies that will identify main points, as well as assess arguments and supporting material.
  • Research strategies that will access authoritative academic sources to support arguments on any topic.
  • Strategies for documenting sources and for integrating material using quotes, paraphrases, and summaries.
  • Rhetorical strategies for use in analyzing persuasive techniques in articles and for revising one’s own writing.
  • An ability to build on this skill base to develop similar strategies for use in other disciplines and genres.

First-Year Composition: ENG 1103

This one-semester course is a rigorous, fast-paced course designed for very confident writers who can already do the academic tasks listed below.

Sections with an "M" designation (e.g., ENG 1103M) are specially designed for multilingual speakers.

  • Write three error-free pages on almost any topic in forty-five (45) minutes.
  • Read assigned readings with ease, quickly assessing main points, supporting arguments, and evidence.
  • Use library databases to find sources on any topic.
  • Integrate source material into their own writing using properly punctuated and framed quotes and paraphrases.
  • Understand basic rhetorical strategies for persuading audiences.