Become a Writer: College Writing Degrees for the 21st Century
By Elaine Hirsch
According to the University of California-Berkeley (http://extension.berkeley.edu/catalog/course62.html), some of the factors that help create strong writers includes validating an assessment of potential, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and developing a strong background in writing techniques. If you are considering a career as a writer, you’ll discover that these are all things that you need to focus on. Choosing either a traditional or online school (http://www.onlineschools.org/) university program that can help you is one thing that aids you when you are embarking on a writing career.
One major that you might want to look into is English. For most English majors, the focus is in examining and understanding the work of others, rather than writing your own work. Essentially, in an English program, you are studying through example. Different concentrations in English degree programs will allow you to learn through different forms of the language, so picking one which can bring relevance to writing for an online audience will be key. An English program gives you a sound background in the literature that shaped writing the way that it looks today, and if you have a love of the classics, this is one way to apply your interests to a marketable career in writing.
A major in rhetoric might also suit you if you are invested in writing as a career. Rhetoric is the study of persuasion and also of communication. In many cases, universities and colleges place their creative writing classes here. In a rhetoric major, you will be focused on how to make your ideas clear and understandable to the a wide range of audiences. When you are thinking about audience appeal and how to make sure that you are understood, a rhetoric major might be what you are looking at.
If you want a thorough understanding of the way that narratives work and what stories mean, take a look at media studies. Media Studies is a relatively new discipline, and unlike English or Rhetoric, it encompasses many forms of media, ranging from film to theater to the written word. Take some time to examine the media studies program at your institution to see where the focus might be and to consider what you can gain from studying there. Media Studies teaches students about narrative technique, no matter what the medium is.
For students who want to focus on non-fiction writing, there is Journalism as a major. The journalism major encourages students to write logically and clearly, and it also stresses the importance of good research and a thorough understanding of the subject matter. You may also choose to take classes on technical writing in order to gain a thorough awareness of non-fiction writing.
When you are thinking about learning more about writing, consider what kind of writing you want to do. Are you interested in fiction writing or non-fiction writing, and how do you want to gain the knowledge that you need? Choose a course of study in a college that suits your needs while exposing you to the right influences.
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Other Writing Articles You May Find of Interest
Writing a Memoir: 5 Rules
Keep Your Writing Goals Front and Center
10 Great Writing Article Links
Writing Books - Is There Money In It?
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