How To Pick a Major for Writers

When students who are interested in becoming writers look at available colleges and majors, they face a myriad of choices. Some students have the grades and money to attend any college they wish, and can seek whatever program interests them. Other students find themselves limited by geography, money or grades and have to pick from a more narrow range of majors.

Whatever your options, it is a good idea to understand what each of the primary majors specialize in and can do for a writer. When looking at a college, however, you need to take the time to visit if possible, and to contact people in the department who can give you a good idea of how their specific program works. No two schools are exactly alike.

Below is a list of undergraduate majors a prospective writer student should look at. You can base your initial search on these general descriptions, but always take the time to find out how each school describes its majors and what advice they give to students.

Creative Writing Major

This is the most common and highly recommended major for writers. Students take reading and writing courses in fiction, poetry, drama and composition. They also take several literature courses. This major is a solid preparation for a variety of writing careers, but is more artistically oriented than journalism, media arts, marketing or communication.

Journalism Major

This major is focused on writing for newspapers, magazines and in some cases broadcast news. Classes focus on reporting, editing, publishing, photojournalism, design, Internet research, ethics and media law. While the world of journalism is not necessarily in opposition to creativity, the emphasis here is on discovering, working with, and presenting factual information in a news setting. Graduates commonly become reporters, journalists and public relations professionals.

English / English Literature Major

The English major is focused on literature. The focus is on analysis of such aspects of literature as cultural influence, historical perspective, symbolic meaning and the development of language. Students get an in-depth knowledge of classic literature and learn how to analyze and write about literature in an academic setting. While this major is less focused on writing than journalism and creative writing, it will give you an excellent perspective on literature.

Theater Arts Major

Theater Arts focuses on the the entire theater production process from writing to performance to stage building and show promotion. This major is a good choice for aspiring dramatic writers.

Media Arts Major

Media arts focuses on film, video and new media. You will study media history, theory, and criticism as well as film and video production. This is a good major for those looking to write for television or film or for those planning a career in public relations.

Liberal Arts Major

Liberal Arts is a broad major that offers students the leeway to study topics in several different departments. For example, a liberal arts major may take several classes in English, philosophy, humanities, religion and even business or economics. Writers who are looking to college to give them a well-rounded education should look into this major.

Linguistics Major

Linguistics is the study of human language, encompassing particular languages and properties common to all languages. Linguistics majors must generally become fluent in multiple languages. This is a great minor for creative writing students who also want a more technical understanding of language. Professional editors often have taken coursework in linguistics.

Communications Major

This is the study of communication and social interaction, its processes and effects. Students analyze interpersonal communication, social influence and persuasion and the social effects of media and information technology. This is a rare and rather specialized major for most creative writers, but it can provide a solid background, especially for technical writing or persuasive writing such as speech writing.

Marketing Major

If you plan to write sales material, you should either major or minor in marketing. This major will prepare you for every aspect of developing and promoting a product or service.

Technical Writing Major

A technical writing or technical communications degree instructs you in that specific field. If you want to be a technical writer, then this is the major for you. If that is not your goal, then you should pursue a different major. This does make for a good minor for English or creative writing majors who want to have a more marketable skill to fall back on. At the undergraduate level, this major is somewhat rare, but more and more colleges are adding programs in technical communication as they recognize the increasing need for this skill in the marketplace.

Additional Resources for Picking Writing Majors

• Book of Majors 2010 (College Board Book of Majors)
• Best Colleges for Future Writers
• Good Colleges For Writers
• Colleges for the Creative Writer
• More Colleges for the Creative Writer

Related links

• The Technical Writing FAQ (0.500)
• College Majors for Aspiring Writers (0.500)
• 30 Poems in 30 Days: Why you should write poetry (0.500)
• 30 Poems in 30 Days: Poetry of Place (0.500)
• 30 Poems in 30 Days: Developing Your Voice (0.500)