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Degrees and Schools
Many colleges and universities provide programs in relevant subjects such as journalism, English and communications. Also, internships are provided by many newspapers, magazines and broadcast stations.
Classes
Students typically study the following subjects:
- English
- Fiction writing
- Writing short stories
- Writing academic prose
- Research writing
- Descriptive writing
- Creative writing
- Language and communications
Online Classes and Programs
Some colleges and universities offer online degrees in journalism, English and communications. Prospective online students should look for schools which have received accreditation from agencies approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education
Employment Requirements
Writer positions usually require a bachelor's degree or a graduate degree. Many employers prefer to hire writers who have a degree in journalism, English or communications. However, individuals who demonstrate good writing skills may obtain a writer position.
The major employers for writers are professional, scientific and technical services; newspapers, periodicals, book and directory publishers; public relations firms and advertising firms.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The answers to the following questions can help students select the appropriate school:
- Training - Does the program include relevant externships?
- School's Reputation - What kind of reputation does the school have?
- Job Placement - Are students provided job placement services? Does the school provide job fairs?
- Curriculum - What type of electives are offered?
- Financial Aid - What types of financial aid are available? Is the school qualified to provide federal financial aid?
- Accreditation - Is the school accredited by an agency which has been approved by the the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education?
Writers Job Description
Writers create a wide variety of written content. Writers and authors create original written materials for magazines, books, online publications, newsletters, advertisements and other types of media. Writers use words to convey information and express ideas. Many writers create material directly for the Internet. Some of the categories of writers are screenwriters, novelists, playwrights, biographers and textbook writers. Many writers are self-employed.
Shown below are some of the responsibilities of writers:
- Develop original written materials
- Revise their text to improve it
- Include sources and citations in their texts
- Select theme or subject for a writing project
- Verify sources
- Discuss revisions with publishers and clients
- Collect information
- Organize materials for projects
Resources
- American Society of Journalists and Authors
- Authors Guild
- National Association of Independent Writers and Editors
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