Writing education can be obtained through degree programs, certificate programs, and online courses. Creative writing programs focus on fiction, while technical writing programs train students to write technical and scientific documents. Magazine and newspaper writing programs prepare students for print and online publications. Certificate programs offer shorter, focused training in specific areas such as grant writing and writing for the internet.
A writing education can be obtained in many ways. There are degree programs in writing for aspiring creative writers, technical writers, magazine and newspaper writers, and others. Degree writing programs ranging from two years to doctoral degrees are available in these areas of study and can be found at colleges and universities around the world. Online writing degree programs and traditional face-to-face programs are widely available. Certificate programs, which are generally shorter, are also available in many areas of writing.
Creative writing degree programs often focus on teaching people to write fiction. Classes in short stories and novels, poetry, screenwriting, and writing for the stage usually make up the core curriculum. Nonfiction or creative docufiction classes may also be taught in some creative writing degree programs. Creative writing programs also seek to teach people to be stronger and more critical readers, so literature classes are often part of creative writing program curricula.
Technical writing degrees train people to write hardware and software manuals, engineering specifications, white papers, and other technical and scientific documentation. Technical writing degrees are called technical communication degrees. Along with classes on how to organize and write specific types of technical documents, design and layout, the concepts in technical illustration and technical editing courses are also typical of technical writing degree programs. Some technical writing programs are more general, preparing students for a variety of fields, while others offer writing focus areas in engineering, medical communication, science writing, and other technical areas.
Degree programs focusing on magazine writing and newspaper writing train students to write for online and print publications. Typically, magazine and newspaper writing classes are offered as part of journalism, mass communication, mass media, and similar degrees. Some four-year journalism and mass communications degrees offer areas of focus in magazine or newspaper writing, and there are master’s programs that allow students to focus specifically on their area of interest. There are also degree programs in journalism that focus on business and professional writing.
For students who want a shorter educational path, certificate programs are offered in technical writing, creative writing, and magazine and newspaper writing. Certificate programs are also offered in specific areas that offer very focused training for people who want to get up to speed quickly in a certain area. Examples include certificate programs in grant writing, resume writing, writing, and writing for the Internet.
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