<p>How tough is the Freshman Expository Writing classes at Harvard? Are these classes as difficult as the Biology and Chemistry classes? Thanks!!</p>
<p>Expos can be challenging. It's not necessarily conceptually hard, but the course requires a lot of its students. There is a lot of reading (at least in some sections) and the writing load is heavy. There are 3 essays required for the course; however, for each essay there are readings, several pre-draft assignments, a draft (which must be a full-length paper), and the final revision that is graded, which is typically a completely different essay from the draft, at least if you want a good grade. Attendance is mandatory, and expos classes meet twice a week. You are allowed a maximum of two absences; any more than two and your preceptor is required to begin exclusion procedures against you, which can result in failure of the course. Also, you can't slack on the assignments (or hand them in late) as they are required for in-class discussion and draft workshops. Basically: you have to take it if you go to Harvard, you always have to go to class, always have to do the reading, and always have to do the assignments (and on time!). Most people in expos generally get a grade somewhere around B+, but I'd call this the median and not the average.</p>
<p>I don't know if I'd say they're tougher than the bio and chem courses here. I think a lot more people have conceptual difficulties with the science courses here. Most difficulties in expos don't result from students not being able to write or understand the concepts, but from procrastinating. So don't procrastinate!</p>
<p>Expos is a lot of writing like I said. </p>
<p>Usually there are two pre-drafts per essay which are about 2 pages each.
The drafts must be full-length, and the lengths of the papers are 6, 8, and 10 pages, plus a cover letter on each. </p>
<p>So a total of:</p>
<p>3x2x2 + 2x(7+9+11) = 12 + 54 = 66 pages of writing.</p>
<p>chrisiskey is right. The average grade is about a B. Work hard and you'll get a B+. If you happen to be lucky with a preceptor who likes your writing style or you're an amazing writer, then you can get an A- or A.</p>