Writing

Writing Major

The writing major prepares students for careers in writing-related fields, such as technical writing, publishing, social media consulting, and public relations, and/or for graduate school in rhetoric and composition, communication, creative writing, education, or law. Its curriculum comprises a combination of courses offered by both the English Department and the Communication Arts Department.

Majors in the program can choose from one of six concentrations:

• Technical & professional writing
• Creative writing
• Media writing
• Rhetoric & composition
• Public relations
• A customized concentration created by the student in consultation with their advisor Three of these concentrations – technical & professional writing, media writing, and public relations – include an internship component

The program culminates in a capstone course in which students compile a professional portfolio of pieces that can be shared with prospective employers.

Writing Minor

Technical Writing Minor

The Technical Writing minor prepares students for careers as technical writers, who translate highly technical concepts into language and images that everyday users can understand. These writers produce:

• User manuals and instructions
• Edit complex manuscripts, design documents and websites, write proposals and reports, and conduct usability tests of websites, software, and products. Technical writers work in government organizations as well as in industries like engineering, software, aerospace, and biomedicine. To prepare students for these careers, the minor provides students a strong theoretical and practical background in technical writing and editing plus skills in project management, software programs, research, and document design.

This minor draws courses from several disciplines into a coherent program. The English Department offers a 22-hour (7 course) minor open to students from any major. For Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences majors, the minor combines academic preparation in writing and editing with technical courses in science, computer science, or engineering. For majors in these technical disciplines, the minor offers additional English or Communication Arts courses. All students in the minor must complete an internship (EH 320) that provides practical, marketable experience supervised by a professional technical communicator.

For more information about the Technical Writing minor, please contact the Director of Business and Technical Writing.

Creative Writing Minor

The Creative Writing Minor gives students an opportunity to develop their creative writing talents by participating in writing workshops and studying literary works. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher in the minor. Students may only apply 6 credits from another institution toward the minor.