Essential Information
Written communication programs are typically offered at the bachelor's and master's degree levels or as certificate programs. Common examples of these programs include a Bachelor of Science in Communications, Bachelor of Arts in English, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Bachelor of Science in Technical Writing. Here is an outline of the typical concepts taught in written communication courses:
- Audience development
- Social media engagement
- Writing for context
- Persuasive writing
- Print and web copywriting
- Developing effective marketing copy
Students in written communication programs take courses that develop and reinforce fundamental principles and best writing practices. These instruction methods are designed to produce strong writers who are able to create clear and comprehensible content for specific situations and environments.
List of Courses
Promotional and Advertising Writing
Students in this class examine how to make clichés sound new, create expressions people remember and choose words that convince buyers to make a purchase. This written communication course is often accompanied by information on imagery and design for students creating print or Web ads. Writing copy for TV and radio news or broadcasts in short snippets, as well as more in-depth pieces, is also practiced. The advertising copy and promotional writing course is usually taken in the sophomore or junior year and can tie into public relations writing courses.
Writing for Public Relations
This written communication course covers effective ways to write for businesses, industries and nonprofit organizations. Students write and analyze sample public relations pieces and design their own letters and articles. This course is typically taken during the junior or senior year of a bachelor's degree or early in a master's degree program.
Business and Professional Writing
Through coursework for business and professional writing classes, students develop writing strategies for taking notes, creating memos and making presentations. They examine techniques for organizing and presenting data, as well as study formal writing and how to shape the letters and information for multiple markets and audiences. This course is useful for professionals entering the world of business, science or technology and is usually completed during the last year of a bachelor's degree program.
Creative Writing
Creative writing coursework allows students to layer their stories, articles and advertising copy with interesting, realistic images and humor when appropriate for the publication. Students incorporate everyday experiences to make articles, presentations and advertising copy stronger in this written communication class. Most often, this course is completed towards the end of the bachelor's degree program.
Technical Writing
Technical writing classes teach students to write fact-based, focused articles and copy that can be used for business, technology or the sciences. Students examine case studies that make complex ideas understandable to the everyday person. This is often a master's level or high-level bachelor's degree course. It is ideal for professionals in another field, such as the sciences, who want to communicate specialized findings in a concise and comprehensible manner through written communication.
