By Laura Weldon

Are you interested in picking up a minor but aren’t sure which one to choose?  If you want to develop strong written communication skills that employers value and learn how to create content for a variety of audiences, then a minor in Professional Writing and Emerging Media is for you.  The versatile skills learned in this minor are helpful tools for all students, English major or not, to take into the world beyond graduation.

Is it only for English majors?

NO!  A Professional Writing and Emerging Media minor benefits students of all majors.  Learning to write professionally is giant asset for areas in journalism, telecommunications, business, marketing, and many more.  The classes in this minor are taught through the eyes of the English department, where topics like rhetoric, audience analysis, and content creation are our specialty.

Students in other majors benefit from learning through this lens because it gives them the strong writing and analytic skills that employers want.  Nearly every job field requires effective written communication, and a minor in Professional Writing and Emerging Media will teach you just that.

Why Professional Writing?

The term “writing” may bring to mind essays and long research papers.  But don’t worry, this traditional academic writing is not the focus of the Professional Writing and Emerging Media minor.  You will learn to write for real people in the workplace and other professional settings.

With focuses on document design, rhetoric, real-world audiences, problem solving and more, this minor equips you with the skills required to evaluate information and communicate clearly through your writing.  Being able to write for a variety of digital platforms is a growing necessity in the workplace, and this is a skill you will learn in the minor.

How is this minor beneficial?

This minor will leave you with hard skills you can add to your resume to give you an edge in the job search after college. You will learn the fundamentals of digital programs like Photoshop, InDesign and other software that businesses use daily. You will be able to combine your knowledge of digital programs with creating content that appeals to specific audiences, as well as how to use social media in professional settings. Each required class will leave you with knowledge and skills that will make you more marketable to employers after college.

What are the requirements?

This is one of the best parts of picking up this minor! It is only 15 credits. That is 5 extra classes and by adding these you will be doing yourself a favor. The classes are distinct, but also part of an integrated whole.  

  • ENG 213: Intro to Digital Literacies (3 credits)
  • ENG 231: Professional Writing (3 credits)
  • ENG 329: Editing and Style (3 credits)
    • Intensive practice in collaborative writing, editing, ad critique.
    • Generally offered only in spring semester
    • or
  • ENG 489: Practicum in Lit Editing and Publishing (3 credits) 
    • Permission needed for this course!
    • Year-long, immersive-learning class that publishes The Broken Plate.
  • ENG 335: Writing and Reading Public Discourse (3 credits)
    • Explores different aspects of public discourse, primarily in contemporary US culture while also adding in historical and international contexts.
    • or
  • ENG 430: Document Design (3 credits)
    • Explores visual rhetoric, particularly focused on theories and best practices for the production of document designs.
    • Generally offered only in fall semester
  • ENG 431: Rhetoric, Writing and Emerging Media (3 credits)
    • Generally offered only in spring semester.

Minoring in Professional Writing and Emerging Media will leave you with strong written communication skills, the ability to communicate across a variety of digital platforms, and much more.  If you want to become a more marketable candidate to employers, or want to be a part of a thriving community while developing your writing skills, then this minor is the right choice for you.  You can find more information about the minor on our department website.

Professional Writing courses being offered for Fall 2019:
  • ENG 213: Intro to Digital Literacies
    • Section 1: TR 12:30-1:45
    • Section 2: TR 5:00-6:15
    • Section 3: MWF 11:00-11:50
    • Section 4: MWF 1:00-1:50
  • ENG 231: Professional Writing
    • Section 1: TR 11:00-12:15
    • Section 2: MWF 9:00-9:50
  • ENG 489: Practicum in Literary Editing and Publishing
    • Section 1: MW 3:00-4:15
      • Contact Prof. Sarah Domet for permission for this course.
  • ENG 430: Document Design and Visual Rhetoric
    • Section 1: MWF 12:00-12:50