English Language and Literature/Letters
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Focuses on writing for applied and liberal arts purposes. Covers writing and document design in multiple genres, modes, and media; writing technologies; research, evaluation, and use of information; editing and publishing; theories and processes of composing; rhetorical theories, traditions, and analysis; communication across audiences, contexts, and cultures; and practical applications for professional, technical, organizational, academic, and public settings.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 5 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Writing, General
- Focuses on writing for applied and liberal arts purposes. Covers writing and document design in multiple genres, modes, and media; writing technologies; research, evaluation, and use of information; editing and publishing; theories and processes of composing; rhetorical theories, traditions, and analysis; communication across audiences, contexts, and cultures; and practical applications for professional, technical, organizational, academic, and public settings.
- Creative Writing
- Focuses on the process and techniques of original composition in various literary forms such as the short story, poetry, the novel, and others. Covers technical and editorial skills, criticism, and the marketing of finished manuscripts.
- Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
- Focuses on professional, technical, business, and scientific writing; and that prepares you for academic positions or for professional careers as writers, editors, researchers, and related careers in business, government, non-profits, and the professions. Covers theories of rhetoric, writing, and digital literacy; document design, production, and management; visual rhetoric and multimedia composition; documentation development; usability testing; web writing; and publishing in print and electronic media.
- Rhetoric and Composition
- Focuses on the humanistic and scientific study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and language/linguistic theories and their practical and pedagogical applications. Covers historical and contemporary rhetoric/composition theories; composition and criticism of written, visual, and mixed-media texts; analysis of literacy practices in cultural and cross-cultural contexts; and writing program administration.
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other
- Rhetoric and composition/writing studies not listed above.
Also called English Composition, Writing
Also called Biomedical Writing, Medical Writing, Professional, Technical, and Scientific Writing/Communication
Also called Rhetoric and Writing, Rhetoric and Writing Studies, Rhetoric and Composition
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Writers and Authors
- Median pay
- $76,910
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.3%
- Job openings a year
- 11,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyPostsecondary Teachers, All Other
- Median pay
- $77,640
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.0%
- Job openings a year
- 12,500
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career ShrinkingEditors
- Median pay
- $77,920
- Hiring change through 2035
- −1.1%
- Job openings a year
- 7,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Holding steadyEnglish Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $78,760
- Hiring change through 2035
- 0.0%
- Job openings a year
- 4,500
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing slowlyTechnical Writers
- Median pay
- $90,390
- Hiring change through 2035
- 0.8%
- Job openings a year
- 3,200
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingProofreaders and Copy Markers
- Median pay
- $51,120
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.9%
- Job openings a year
- 1,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $26,533 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
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