English - Technical Writing and Rhetorics
- Overview
- Careers
- New Freshmen
- New Transfer
- Illinois State Students
Technical Writing and Rhetorics is a sequence in the English major. Professional technical writers take complex information and communicate it in a way that people understand.
Focusing on this sequence prepares you for careers as a technical and professional writer in a variety of settings, such as corporate, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. You’ll have the skills to effectively communicate information to a range of audiences.
What You Learn and Do
- Production Skills: Learn the relationship between written, visual, and digital texts
- Web Design Skills: A top skill valued by employers
- Hands-on Experience: Produce multimodal web-based texts with computer applications used by professionals
- Professional Internship: Work in a real-world setting to get a deeper understanding of technical communication in the workplace
Why Study English - Technical Writing and Rhetorics?
Coursework and projects in the Technical Writing and Rhetorics sequence mirror the professional industry. Work is based on scholarly research and best practices associated with information architecture, usability, project management, web-based collaboration, and international and intercultural technical communication.
Technical writers are in-demand and the profession is expected to grow faster than average. Their ability to communicate complex topics in an understandable way helps organizations connect with internal and external audiences.
Related Skills
- Accuracy, coherency and clarity in speech and writing
- Ability to simplify and understand jargon
- Problem solving
- Creativity
- Honesty and integrity
- Strong work ethic
- Teamwork skills
- Analytical skills
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Good computer skills
- Detail oriented
- Developing hypothesis
- Good presenter
- Think independently
Being Successful in the Field
- A bachelor's degree in English is sufficient for many entry-level positions in business and industry.
- A graduate degree is required for teaching at the college or university level.
- Develop a specialty area of interest via additional coursework and/or work experience for greater marketability within that specific career field.
- Save samples of written work to be used for a portfolio.
- Be prepared to be proactive, determined, assertive, and confident in order to secure freelance writing opportunities. Writers typically experience many rejections for each piece that is accepted for publication.
- Obtain additional areas of expertise such as journalism, broadcasting, technical writing, or politics for specialized positions.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow professionals in careers of interest to learn more about their jobs.
Related Fields
Writing/Editing
- Creative writing: Books, poetry, plays, screenplays, scripts, greeting cards, lyrics/jingle writing.
- Journalism: Writing/reporting, editing
- Technical writing: Science and medical writing
- Freelance writing
Employers
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Broadcast media companies including television, radio, and the movie industry
- Trade, professional, or consumer publications
- Internet sites
- Large corporations
- Government agencies including Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of State, Veterans Affairs, National Archives and Records Administration
- Universities and university presses
- Technical industries
- Self-employed/freelance
Strategies
- Select elective coursework in a particular area of interest.
- Write for campus publications such as college newspapers, magazines, or departmental/program newsletters.
- Volunteer to assist or tutor students in a writing center.
- For technical writing positions obtain a concentration in technical writing.
- Become familiar with the proposal writing and submission process involved in freelance writing.
- Gain as much experience as possible through volunteer positions, internships, or part-time jobs.
Master's degree
- Librarian
- Higher education administration: writing center director, student affairs, admissions and enrollment management, alumni services, international affairs, institutional research and planning.
Doctoral degree
- University professor
Professional schools
- Lawyer
Career Industry Liaison
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Ruffin | 223 Bone Student Center | mhruffi@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-2200 |
Internship Coordinator
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elise Verzosa Hurley | 423C Stevenson Hall | evhurle@ilstu.edu | 309-438-7848 |
Applying to Illinois State
Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!
Applying to Illinois State
Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!
Minimum GPA
2.00
Middle 50% GPA
2.98 - 3.81
Required Courses
None
Recommended Courses
To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.
- Foreign language equivalent to Illinois State's 115 level
- American and British literature courses
- Non-Western literature courses
Academic Advising
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katie Fisher | Stevenson Hall 409 | klfish2@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-3667 |
Minimum GPA
2.00
Middle 50% GPA
2.98 - 3.81
Application Period
Applications are always accepted, but reviewed during September and February.
Application Information
Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.
Major Requirements
Admission is based on GPA, performance in English courses at the time of application, and a well-written, persuasive personal statement.
Academic Advising
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katie Fisher | Stevenson Hall 409 | klfish2@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-3667 |