Previous Writing Instruction History & Writing Sample Guidelines for W09A, W10A, W11A, E01A

Students are placed into English Expository Writing courses based on age and standardized test scores. If you wish to be considered for placement above your age range as shown below, you must submit your writing sample and instruction history to EPGY by the application deadline for expository writing courses; otherwise you will be placed into a course based on age.

W09A:	9-11 yrs old
W10A:	12-13 yrs old
W11A:	14-15 yrs old
E01A:	16-18 yrs old

Previous Writing Instruction History

Include any English or writing courses your child may have taken both in and outside of school.

Additional comments or information:

If you require more room, please attach an additional sheet.

Writing Sample Guidelines

The writing sample should be:

1. 1.5-5 pages in length, double-spaced, typed. Although we prefer a typed sample, we will accept a handwritten one.
2. Nonfiction. Acceptable types of writing:
   

   - Book Reports	- Persuasive Essays
   - Descriptive Essays	- Research Papers
   - Literary Analysis Essays	- Factual Reports (e.g., social studies/history reports)

3. Written recently, within the last six months, or if necessary, within the last year.
4. Marked clearly with the following information: Date written, age of child when written, and purpose (was this for a class, and if so, what class? Was it written just for fun?).
5. Other types of writing samples:
   
   • If you don't have anything that sounds like the above. but you do have something which you feel is nonfiction, please send that, along with a 1.5-5 page, double-spaced typed essay written in response to one of the writing prompts below. Requirements C and D, above, still apply. Although we prefer a typed essay, we will accept a handwritten one.
   • If all you have is fiction, please send that, along with a 1.5-5 page, double-spaced typed essay written in response to one of the writing prompts below. Requirements C and D, above, still apply. Although we prefer a typed essay, we will accept a handwritten one.

Writing prompts for applicants who do not have a nonfiction writing sample:

Write an essay on one of the following questions:

1. Identify one theme – an important or prevalent idea – found in a book that you have read recently. Examples of themes are persistence, justice, prejudice, courage, virtue, loneliness, loss, friendship. Write an essay that proves that the book you've chosen has that theme. Give several examples from the book to prove your idea.
2. Identify one character from a book that you have read recently, and choose one quality of that character (is that character stubborn, resourceful, courageous, cowardly, generous, etc.?). Write an essay that proves that the character really does have that quality. Give several examples from the book to prove your idea.
3. Identify one historical figure or historical event and write an essay that discusses the significance of the figure or event you have chosen. Provide reasons for your ideas.

Questions about writing samples, previous writing instruction, or course content should be directed to:

English Supervisor at epgy-admin@epgy.stanford.edu
or 1-800-372-3749.