What courses should you take if you want to be a writer?

Answer 1

Almost all colleges and universities have an English major. Not all colleges have a creative writing or literature major (both applicable.) Any of these majors would help someone a lot in becoming a writer...no matter what school you go to, teachers can only pass on technique that is already showcased in great authors' books.

That said, the University of Iowa's Writers Workshop is probably the best writing school in the nation. There are only a handful of students accepted each year. However, the writer's workshop has a different application altogether. I think most students who end up in the workshop have already received their bachelors degree. Many aspiring writers choose to go to U of I in order to work towards getting into the program.

Obviously, all the Ivy Leagues have excellent writing programs, especially Stanford and Columbia.

Many State schools (surprisingly) hire working/published writers to teach at their schools. Some young writers choose to enroll in the schools at which their favorite writers work.

Answer 2

A college degree generally is required for a position as a writer or editor. Good facility with computers and communications equipment is necessary in order to stay in touch with sources, editors, and other writers while working on assignments, whether from home, an office, or while traveling. Education and training. Some employers look for a broad liberal arts background, while others prefer to hire people with degrees in communications, journalism, or English. For those who specialize in a particular area, such as fashion, business, or law, additional background in the chosen field is expected. Increasingly, technical writing requires a degree in, or some knowledge about, a specialized field-for example, engineering, business, or one of the sciences. Knowledge of a second language is helpful for some positions. A background in web design, computer graphics, or other technology field is increasingly practical, because of the growing use of graphics and representational design in developing technical documentation. In many cases, people with good writing skills may transfer from jobs as technicians, scientists, or engineers into jobs as writers or editors. Others begin as research assistants or as trainees in a technical information department, develop technical communication skills, and then assume writing duties. Other qualifications. Writers and editors must be able to express ideas clearly and logically and should enjoy writing. Creativity, curiosity, a broad range of knowledge, self-motivation, and perseverance also are valuable. Writers and editors must demonstrate good judgment and a strong sense of ethics in deciding what material to publish. In addition, the ability to concentrate amid confusion and to work under pressure often is essential. Editors also need tact and the ability to guide and encourage others in their work. Familiarity with electronic publishing, graphics, and video production increasingly is needed. Use of electronic and wireless communications equipment to send e-mail, transmit work, and review copy often is necessary. Online newspapers and magazines require knowledge of computer software used to combine online text with graphics, audio, video, and animation. High school and college newspapers, literary magazines, community newspapers, and radio and television stations all provide valuable-but sometimes unpaid-practical writing experience. Many magazines, newspapers, and broadcast stations have internships for students. Interns write short pieces, conduct research and interviews, and learn about the publishing or broadcasting business. Advancement. In small firms, beginning writers and editors hired as assistants may actually begin writing or editing material right away. Opportunities for advancement and also full-time work can be limited, however. Many small or not-for-profit organizations either do not have enough regular work or cannot afford to employ writers on a full-time basis. However, they routinely contract out work to freelance writers. In larger businesses, jobs usually are more formally structured. Beginners generally do research, fact check articles, or copy edit drafts. Advancement to full-scale writing or editing assignments may occur more slowly for newer writers and editors in larger organizations than for employees of smaller companies. Advancement often is more predictable, though, coming with the assignment of more important articles. Advancement for writers, especially freelancers, often means working on larger, more complex projects for better known publications or for more money. Building a reputation and establishing a track record for meeting deadlines also makes it easier to get future assignments. Experience, credibility, and reliability often lead to long-term freelance relationships with the same publications and to contacts with editors who will seek you out for particular assignments. The growing popularity of blogging could allow some writers to get their work read. For example, a few well-written blogs may garner some recognition for the author and may lead to a few paid pieces in other print or electronic publications. Some established staff writers contribute to blogs on the on-line versions of publications in conjunction with their routine work. However, most bloggers do not earn a considerable amount of money writing their blogs. For the source and more detailed information concerning this subject, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated below.

Answer 3

You do not need any classes -- to become a writer, you just need to write!

To become a good writer, you need lots and lots of reading, writing, and journalism. You also need to learn as much as you can about everything so you need lit, art and history. You need to read as many authors as you can in as many areas.

Writing comes from two or three areas and they are understanding the culture of an area, understanding the history, and understanding the fables. Writing is not in a void and is based on experience, knowledge, and understanding.

If you never have been to Paris how can you write about it? You can do research -- learn as much about Paris you can by using the internet, books, and TV. You have to understand the smells, the traffic, the sense of a time and place. Learn all you can so when you write it seeps out into the pages of your work. I just read a book by a Spanish author and he wrote that when a person writes, their soul goes into the book. When a person reads the book their soul joins that of the author. A great writer has soul.

Answer 4

If you want to succeed in life you'll need at least moderate skill in writing and other methods of communication.

Answer 5

To be a writer, you need to write. You do not need a special degree or classes. If you would like to take a class in Creative Writing, that's fine, but it is not necessary.

Answer 6

Your classes all depend on your high school. For example, I am going to take a class that gives writing instruction. Talk to a counselor because, it really all depends in your school.

Answer 7

I would think English and Creative Writing.

Answer 8

English. The only thing you need to be a writer is a good understanding of the English language so that you can write well.

Answer 9

English