Undergraduate Programs in Professional Writing and Editing
Please note that the curriculum sequences for the Professional Writing & Editing (PWE) concentration and minor have changed beginning Fall 2008. Most notably, English 301 (Writing Theory and Practice) has replaced English 201 (Advanced Composition), and there is a new arrangement of ?required? and ?elective? courses for a now distinct concentration and minor.
Please rest assured that while the program is changing slightly, any PWE courses you have already taken will continue to count toward the concentration, no new requirements are being added, and there is no need to make changes on the registration form in your advising folder.
For those of you who have already begun the concentration, the changes provide you with more options. Those pursuing a minor in PWE should note that the internship, ENGL 491A Professional Field Experience, is no longer required. Those who are beginning the minor or concentration should follow the new sequence as detailed below and in these registration forms: PWE Minor Form or PWE Concentration Form . The only reason not to pursue the new sequence is if you have completed a significant amount of the old sequence prior to the Fall 2008 semester.
Details for pursuing the old sequence are as follows:
- If you have already taken 304 and 305 as required by the old sequence, then you should proceed with the old concentration sequence with the only change being that instead of using 201 (Advanced Composition) or 303 (Multimedia Writing) to complete the sequence you should use 301 (Writing Theory and Practice) or 303.
- If you have already followed the old sequence and taken 302 (Editing), 201 or 303 (Multimedia Writing), 304 (Business Writing), and 305 (Technical Writing), you only need to enroll in the PWE capstone for you final 3 credits. You do not need to take 301 (Writing Theory and Practice).
In addition, if you have only taken 201 (or 201 in combination with courses that do not conflict with the new sequence as described above) then you may proceed with the new sequence with the understanding that 201 will serve in place of 301. You may not take 201 and 301 together to count for credit toward the PWE concentration.
In this transitional period, we ask you to consult with Professors Brian Ballentine or Scott Wible if you have particular questions regarding your situation. All students beginning PWE sequences in the Fall of 2008 or later are expected to follow the new sequences.
Introducing Professional Writing & Editing
Professional Writing and Editing introduces students to the theory and practice of writing business and technical documents. The program emphasizes the following writing abilities:
- Understanding the varied roles of writing in a professional context;
- Understanding and applying the conventions of different professional genres;
- Understanding why and how writing is usable or accessible for different audiences;
- Explaining and describing complex and specialized information for both technical and lay audiences;
- Developing visual design skills, including the use of graphics and page design.
Concentration in PWE
Students in any program may enroll in the concentration in PWE. The concentration requires at least 15 hours of coursework in the following distribution.
- English 301: Writing Theory & Practice
- English 302: Editing
- English 303: Multimedia Writing
- English 491A: Professional Field Experience (Internship/Capstone)
plus one of the two below: - English 304: Business and Professional Writing
OR - English 305: Technical Writing
Minor in PWE
Students in any program may enroll in the minor in PWE. The minor requires at least 15 hours of coursework in the following distribution.
- English 301: Writing Theory & Practice
- English 302: Editing
plus three of four below: - English 303: Multimedia Writing
- English 304: Business and Professional Writing
- English 305: Technical Writing
- English 221: The English Language
OR
English 321: The History of the English Language
One class each semester is reserved for PWE students to ensure that our students can enroll. We offer dedicated sections of English 304 and 305 every semester. We also reserve slots in English 302. Again, please see either Professors Ballentine or Wible in Colson Hall to sign up for these reserved classes.
Course Descriptions
Please contact individual instructors for syllabi and section information.
- English 301: Writing Theory & Practice
The objective of this course is to provide students an in-depth understanding of how rhetorical theory has shaped professional writing and editing (PWE) communication practices. To begin, the course will explore the many definitions of rhetoric and how those definitions illuminate any and all aspects of a student?s PWE studies. From the social contexts and collaborative processes for writing within organizations to the complex discourse of scientific communities, this course will require students to find and analyze the rhetorical underpinnings of contemporary professional communication practices. Students will be introduced to fundamental and advanced rhetorical principles such as logos, ethos, pathos, invention, style, arrangement, kairos, stasis, techne, fallacies, and the common and special topics.
- English 302: Editing
Good editing is more than the correction of mechanical errors, although that correction is an important part of the process. Good editing works to shape an existing text to better achieve its purpose for a given audience. This includes analyzing the audience, understanding how writing strategies influence an audience, knowing what kinds of writing strategies are available and appropriate, understanding how formatting interacts with text to persuade an audience, and knowing how mechanics of punctuation, grammar, and style affect meaning for an audience. This course will introduce you to these skills in a variety of editing contexts.
- English 303: Multimedia Writing
This course foregrounds the study of communication and design issues in multimedia composition. Coursework focuses on communication, creative expression, persuasion, interactivity, and rhetorical principles. Students will practice composing multimedia documents such as online publications, interactive literary works and tutorials.
- English 304: Business and Professional Writing
This course is designed to introduce you to the forms of writing and the writing situations that are common in the professional world, including routine correspondence, job application materials, and recommendation reports. Drawing on the expertise developed in your major, you will explore professional writing through topics and issues important to the work you plan to do. Because a primary assumption of this course is that all writing emerges from and responds to a particular problem, audience and purpose, the course focuses on helping you develop multiple strategies for persuading your audience to your purpose.
- English 305: Technical Writing
This course is designed to introduce you to strategies for translating between discipline-specific knowledge and interested outsiders. While this may include topics traditionally understood as “technical,” such as those in engineering, architecture, and computer science, technical writing encompasses any topic which must be explained to an involved, but not expert, audience.
This course explores the forms of technical writing that are common in the professions, including object and process descriptions, instructions, persuasive analyses, and science popularizations. Drawing on the expertise developed in your major, you will explore technical writing through topics and issues important to the work you plan to do. Because a primary assumption of this course is that all writing emerges from and responds to a particular problem, audience and purpose, the course focuses on helping you develop multiple strategies for your writing toolbox.
Internships
English 491A: Professional Field Experience: Students doing an internship work under supervision in an existing professional organization to gain further writing, editing, and project experience. Students have worked as interns at law offices, the WVU press, the National Research Center for Coal and Energy, the FBI, Arts Monongahela, and Challenge X.
Internships are typically unpaid and require 8-10 hours of work a week for 12-15 weeks. Students must have a B average in their other PWE coursework and have completed all or nearly all of their PWE coursework to sign up for an internship. Internships are graded on the basis of a reflective portfolio, which is due to the Professional Writing Coordinator no later than the Monday of finals week of the relevant semester.
To arrange an internship, students should contact Prof. Scott Wible the semester before they plan to take the internship.
Click here to see a list of available internships.Distance Writing
Extended learning students who are part-time adult learners and who are constrained by time and/or distance may be able to complete the undergraduate PWE concentration online. Contact the Office of Extended Learning at 293-2834 for more information