About this Program

• Work in small, student-centered classes taught by attentive, award-winning faculty.
• Learn how to write in every form, from advanced argument to technical or creative nonfiction or public essay.
• Explore rhetorical traditions and new writing technologies, and learn how writing identity is reflected in different cultures.
• Come to understand the relationships among writing, rhetoric, identity, literacy and power.
• Get involved by writing for the different campus magazines, or explore themes like art, entertainment, advocacy, government, media, publications and service.
• Gain the strong writing, reasoning and communication skills you need to pursue careers that demand practitioners with your passion for words and ideas.

Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition

Immerse yourself in the power of language and learn how to write for different purposes—to make an advanced argument, to write technically and to incorporate storytelling techniques in creative nonfiction.

As a Writing and Rhetoric major, you will explore the power of language across a range of genres. Discover rhetorical traditions and new writing technologies and learn how writing identity is reflected in different cultures. You’ll also come to understand the relationships among writing, rhetoric, identity, literacy and power.

Working in small, student-centered classes taught by attentive, award-winning faculty, you will gain the skills needed for a variety of today’s careers as well as the adaptability to succeed in jobs that are just emerging.

The major is both rigorous and flexible, allowing you to pursue what you love while deepening your critical thinking, composing and creative problem-solving skills. It’s also a great second major.

You will practice writing in categories such as:

• Digital
• Argumentative
• Research
• Civic
• Science
• Professional
• Technical
• Creative nonfiction

The student-run magazine, Intertext, features outstanding undergraduate Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric and Composition essays, and is published yearly in the spring. This is an opportunity to showcase your hard work.

What can I do with my degree?

Writing and Rhetoric majors become skilled and agile writers ready to pursue a wide range of professions, in areas such as:

• Business
• Education
• Public relations
• Publishing
• Digital writing
• Marketing
• Public advocacy
• Editing
• Law
• Medicine
• Humanities