BYU’s writing courses shape the next generation of writers—and peacemakers.
Forget the formulaic thesis statements and the rigid body paragraphs you dreaded writing in high school. BYU’s University Writing courses flip the script on traditional writing instruction. Instead of sticking to older structures of writing, these classes focus on personal growth, ethical communication, and preparing students to make a real difference in the world.
In short? These courses aren’t just teaching students to write—they’re teaching them how to listen, reflect, and engage with the world in a meaningful way.
A New Kind of Writing Education
The new curriculum for BYU’s University Writing courses isn’t about memorizing rules or cranking out the same, old essays. Instead, it’s about cultivating responsible, thoughtful communicators who can take on any challenge, whether it be in their communities, careers, or personal lives. According to Associate Professor Amy Williams, who coordinates the program, the goal is simple: “We want students to communicate well not just in college classrooms but in their communities, families, churches, and future careers.”
In courses like Writing 150 and advanced writing electives, students explore how writing can reflect their values, shape their relationships, and positively influence their future. And while it may sound like an abstract, lofty goal, professors make it happen.
Listening First, Writing Second
Effective communication doesn’t start with putting your thoughts on paper—it starts with listening. BYU’s University Writing professors believe that understanding yourself and others is the key to becoming a skilled communicator, and they’ve built the curriculum around this principle.
Take Assistant Professor Meridith Reed (Rhetoric and Writing Studies), for example. She’s seen firsthand how students’ writing can transform as soon as they adopt a more reflective approach. Instead of diving straight into formulating their arguments, Reed encourages her students to take a step back and think critically about the different perspectives others might have. She does this by assigning tasks like annotated bibliographies, which push students to dig deep into research and think about multiple sides of an issue—long before they even begin to form their own argument.
But this new curriculum isn’t just about academic writing; it’s about becoming a peacemaker (someone who values listening and learning over simply “winning” an argument). For Reed, this means assigning things like President Russell M. Nelson’s “Peacemakers Needed” talk to show how language can be a tool for resolving conflict. And she’s not alone: other professors also weave in religious examples, such as stories from the New Testament, which help students to think about how Christ responded to tough situations and how they can apply those lessons to their own lives.
Writing for the Real World
While BYU’s University Writing courses teach you how to effectively write papers during college, that’s not their only goal; they also teach you about writing for your future. According to Williams, the skills students gain in these courses stick with them long after graduation. Effective communication, she argues, goes beyond a technical skill set and should influence every aspect of life.
We want students to communicate well not just in college classrooms but in their communities, families, churches, and future careers.
Professor Jon Ostenson (English Teaching) points out that this approach sets students up for success in the real world, whether they end up in a classroom, a boardroom, or a community organization. Instead of focusing on rigid writing formulas, the courses emphasize critical thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning, skills that are essential in today’s fast-paced world.
The Struggles (and Rewards) of Breaking Away
Of course, shifting away from traditional writing styles comes with its challenges. A lot of students enter Writing 150 expecting to write those familiar thesis-driven essays that they wrote in high school but are instead tasked with assignments like inquiry reports, which ask them to explore a topic from multiple perspectives without taking a stance.
The change can be jarring at first. Students who’ve spent years perfecting the art of arguing in writing may feel a little lost when asked to simply reflect. But as Reed notes, this shift leads many students to adopt a growth mindset, where they realize that writing isn’t about “getting it right” but is instead about constantly learning and improving.
Williams prioritizes fostering this mindset, and not just in students, but in faculty as well. By embracing the idea that “all writers always have more to learn,” BYU’s University Writing program provides a space where growth, reflection, and personal development can thrive.
A Bold Vision for the Future
At its core, BYU’s University Writing program is about more than just writing papers—it’s about shaping better, more mindful communicators. Whether you’re drafting a research paper, giving a talk in sacrament meeting, or having a tough conversation with a friend, the skills taught in these courses help students navigate the world with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to positive change.
So, the next time you sit down to write, remember: it’s not just about what you’re saying, it’s about how you’re saying it and why it matters. And in BYU’s University Writing courses, they’re making sure students are ready to use their words for good.