Last Updated on April 2, 2021 by Guest
You might believe that some people are just naturally good at writing and others are not. In fact, writing, like many other crafts, can be taught and learned. It’s a skill to be honed, and there are many benefits to learning more about what makes good writing by studying it at college.
Learn What Makes Good Writing Good
If you study for a degree in writing, you’ll be regularly exposed to high-quality writing of various genres. The Marian University bachelor of arts in writing, for example, offers a variety of classes, including those on Shakespeare, poetry, general fiction, minority writers, and even mythology.
By reading a variety of texts in various mediums, styles, and genres, you’ll learn to analyze exactly what makes good writing good. This will enable you to apply techniques you’ve learned to your own writing, eventually crafting high-quality texts yourself.
Learn to Edit
Editing is as much a part of writing as the initial draft, but it’s often overlooked by novice writers. A first draft could always be improved, and studying writing at college will teach you how to properly critique and edit your work.
Most courses include writing workshops in which you’ll be asked to critique and analyze others’ writing in your class. It can be difficult to hear criticism of your work, but it will allow you to see things through your readers’ eyes, which is always helpful.
Another benefit of these critiquing sessions is that you’ll learn to recognize what you like and don’t like in writing; you can then apply that to your work. Mastering the art of critiquing and editing your work will improve your writing tenfold.
Get Connected
Studying writing at university is an easy way to make connections that could help you establish a career. You’ll meet like-minded people in your classes but will also have access to some top writing minds—your professors—who could play an instrumental role in a future career.
Impress someone at college, and you could walk straight into the job of your dreams. It’s all about who you know.
Gain Hands-On Experience
Studying writing at college isn’t just about reading other people’s work (although it does involve a lot of it!). It’s also about learning practical writing techniques.
Many aspiring writers find it a challenge to sit down and write, but college classes force you into writing by setting deadlines and assignments. Putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) regularly is the only way you’ll improve your writing.
All Careers Need Writing, And It’s Not Different For an Entrepreneur
Writing is an interdisciplinary skill that applies to all areas of the working world. A degree in writing will not just allow you to find a job in writing; it could help you get a job in any field because all careers—yes, all—require at least some element of writing.
If you want a job in sales or marketing, writing is key. If you want a job in science, writing is key. If you want any job at all, you need to write a convincing application, so writing is key. If you want to become an entrepreneur, writing will help you take your startup to the next level. For branding purposes, customer interaction, or blog posts to increase your startup traffic, writing is key.
Nearly all jobs require communication skills, and written communication is an essential part of that. A degree in writing will give you the skills you need to write well, no matter what that means for your specific career niche.