Rashika
What classes do professional writers take besides advanced writing in college?
Hi, I am a senior in high school right now and I´m currently taking three AP courses. One being my favorite is AP Language and Composition where we are challenged everyday to new topics and pushed to answer difficult questions that are debated as if we are in a college class. As a future writer I know that I will have to continue these types of classes such as professional writing and creative writing in college. These classes will only help develop my writing skills but what other classes will help me to develop different skills that most writers will need to catch the attention of companies? Thank you for your help.
#writing #creative
3 answers
Iris Amelia Febres
Iris Amelia’s Answer
Copyediting is a fantastic skill that you'd benefit from as a writer. It's different from regular editing (e.g., developmental editing). It's know how to be concise, unambiguous, succinct. I recommend copyediting for authors and publishing folks.
Thank you I´ll definitely look into those topics and programs!
Rashika
Rachel Shuster
Rachel’s Answer
Hi, Rashika -- The best thing I tell students I work with on writing is to READ! Anything and everything. You will be surprised how much you absorb "by osmosis" by being a reader. Sure, the content you read will be important, but as you read ... and read some more, you'll start picking up on the different styles of writing and decide which style(s) you like. And you'll begin to incorporate some of that into your own unique style.
There are many good aids in the market that can help you -- but you can never go wrong getting the book The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. Another book I highly recommend for young people, believe it or not, is The Phantom Tollbooth. The writing is so delightful and imaginative. It's one of my favorite books all-time.
As to your courseload: Of course, writing courses will be important. But so will as many diverse courses in sociology and psychology and political science and economics. Accomplished writers often are well-rounded from their studies. It doesn't really matter what you take, as long as you enjoy the subject. Because when you enjoy the subject, the writing about it comes easier.
I hope some of this helps. Good luck to you!
This definitely helps, thank you and I´ll continue reading.
Rashika
Susan E. Oser
Susan E.’s Answer
I would say take classes on topics of interest to you that you'd like to research more or write about in your professional career. It's always good to study a lot of topics because you can get a lot of different ideas.