Professional Writing Concentration
Do you see writing in your working future?
Most people do , and wish that their communication skills were better.
If that describes you, then please read on :
According to current statistics, skilled working professionals spend the majority of their time communicating in one form or another: giving presentations in meetings, creating reports, corresponding with clients and peers, writing emails, and designing and writing manuals and other technical materials.
In the above picture, Tech Writing students conduct usability testing for the draft version of their team’s written product directions.
In the working world strong communication skills will make the difference between success and failure . . . they can also set the skilled communicator above the rest of the competition for that first job. The training you will receive as a student in the Professional Writing Concentration will not only teach you the theory and techniques that will help you become a more skilled writer on the job, but it will also allow you numerous opportunities to put these theories and techniques into practice. As a student in this concentration you will:
- learn to do real-world research of the kind expected in the business world
- learn and employ editing skills and techniques pertaining not only to text but to document
- layout and design as well
- gain practice in preparing and presenting sophisticated oral and written reports in which you not
- only create the text but design the document
- have the chance to create electronic and other cutting-edge documents
- undertake a semester-long internship in writing and editing in the field at a business or agency appropriate to your career plans
Whether you wish to concentrate in Professional Writing for your English degree . . . or if you simply want to gain an added “edge” by taking one or more of the courses in the program . . .begin exploring the options that this concentration offers you by checking out the following classes and other helpful links or contact the program’s director.
Concentration Check Sheet: http://www.cas.appstat.../ENG%20233C.pdf
English 3090: Introduction to Professional Writing, 3 hrs. Fall & Spring; W & S designators: A study of the history, theories, concepts, and practices of professional writing. Topics: audience analysis, language, professional writing situations, ethics and communication, workplace culture, research methods, data collection strategies and analysis. More information about this course
English 3100: Business Writing, 3 hrs. Fall, Spring & Summer; W & S designators: Emphasis on advanced applied business writing genres: specialized letters and memoranda, resumes, proposals, analytical and fact-finding reports, and other essential forms of professional communication and research. ENG 3090 is recommended as preparation for ENG 3100. More information about this course
English 3120: Writing and Law, 3 hrs. Fall; W designator: A practice in the art of persuasive writing, using the law and legal methods to emphasize both the economy and clarity of reading and writing skills. More information about this course
English 3700: Technical Writing, 3 hrs. Fall & Spring; W & S designators: Emphasis on applied technical writing genres: abstracts, instructions, process descriptions, definitions, technical reports, hypertext and other electronic media, web development. ENG 3090 is recommended as preparation for ENG 3700. More information about this course
English 4100: Documentation, 3 hrs. Fall; W S & C designators: This course introduces you to a variety of computer writing genres: tutorials, user’s guides, reference guides, troubleshooting manuals, online help, online instructional material, life cycle documents, reference cards, and training videos. Prerequisite: ENG 3090 or permission of instructor. More information about this course
English 4100: Documentation (Special Topic: Writing for the Web), 3 hrs. Fall; W S & C designators: This course introduces students to the process of writing, designing, publishing, and evaluating hypertext documents. Seemingly overnight the Web has become the “face” of the Internet, not only as an effective tool for professional communication, but as a dynamic means of self-expression and self exploration (think of blogs, MySpace, and Facebook). Prerequisite: ENG 3090 or permission of instructor. More information about this course
English 4200: Editing, 3 hrs. Spring; W & S designators: This course introduces students to selected concepts and methods of editing, basic editing skills, comprehensive editing processes and principles, and various management an production methods. Prerequisite: ENG 3090 or permission of instructor. More information about this course
English 4300: Seminar in Professional Writing, 3 hrs. Fall; W & S designators. A capstone experience. Emphasis on strengthening and revising students examples of professional writing and presentation options, including the creation of an interactive professional writing portfolio. Intense study of the current state of the profession. Prerequisites: ENG 3090, plus 6 semester hours of credit in the professional writing concentration. More information about this course
English 4900: Internship in Writing/Editing, 1-12 hrs. Grades S/U. Fall, Spring, and Summer. On-the-job work experience individually tailored to student’s career orientation. Permission of instructor required. More information about this course AND check out the Internship Handbook OR read an article written by a professional writing student about planning an internship: “Finding the Best Time to Intern.”
For more information about any of these courses, an internship in writing and editing, or about the BA in English with a Concentration in Professional Writing, please contact the program director. You may also contact the current director of internships directly, by emailing Dr. Melissa Barth.
