Students in the English-writing major study a variety of rhetorical forms ranging from technical to creative writing. The department offers classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, rhetoric, and technical and persuasive writing. Students may also gain experience and instruction in professional editing and publishing, document design, and tutoring writers; they may take additional courses in literature and linguistics as electives. Along with the ability to write well in a variety of genres, writing majors develop critical thinking, collaboration and revision skills, understanding of audience and context, and confidence in presenting work to an audience. The major prepares students for jobs in which writing skills are necessary, including editing, publishing, scientific and technical writing, and corporate writing, as well as for graduate work in creative writing, rhetoric and composition, writing studies, communications, and law. The study of writing complements almost any other major in the university, and many writing majors double major in another field.<br>Students will be able to:<br>draft documents that demonstrate clear purpose, responsibility to audience, and adherence to generic and stylistic conventions.<br>reflect on their own writing and apply alternative strategies to the continued development of that process.<br>identify and evaluate an author’s purpose and choice of audience, genre, and strategies of support.<br>demonstrate knowledge of the variety of professional situations in which they will be writing when they leave the undergraduate program.