If you just graduated high school and are hoping to abandon all English classes and forms of writing while in college, think again. Here are some reasons why everyone should take a writing course in college.
You will most likely need writing in anything you do. No matter your future profession, the ability to communicate well is a necessary skill. From formal write-ups to casual emails and verbal networking, writing and communicating are unavoidable. Give yourself an edge by taking college writing courses so that you can continue to hone your skills over time. The more you write the better off you’ll be, so even if your schedule is filled with math classes, squeeze in that writing class.
Writing courses are a great way to get introduced to college-level work. There is a large difference between high school quality writing and college-level writing. Taking a writing course early on is a great way to introduce yourself to the new standards to which you will be held. The first college paper/essay you hand in will be a great learning experience, and your writing professor should only help you to get better over time and rise to your new expectations. Plus, the high demand of essays in the class should prepare you for the amount of work you will encounter in college and the work ethic you will need.
Writing courses will teach you basics you may not have learned in high school. A writing course will not only teach you how to write better, but also about sources, citations, constructing a strong argument, clarity, and more. You may think writing courses are just for learning how to use fancy words in a pretty way, but there are a lot more technical skills you will learn that are important all throughout college. High school writing classes are usually focused on structure (a persuasive essay versus an expository essay, the five-paragraph essay, etc.), but a college-writing course will actually teach you how to form a cohesive and convincing argument using proper sources and citations. These skills will come in handy in all courses.
You can probably tailor your writing course experience to your interests. If you’re still not convinced to take a writing course or are particularly against a “Writing 101” style class, see if your school offers writing-intensive courses or if a certain class in a different field involves a lot of writing. Look into what each class requires or talk with a professor about their courses. You don’t need to take a standard writing or English class to get a good writing experience; you may find a history class with a lot of essays or a science class with multiple papers throughout the semester. Each subject will offer different skills for your writing arsenal, but the experience is valuable nonetheless.
-Hannah Kotler
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