Writing, Rhetoric, and Information Design

OVERVIEW

In addition to offering general education writing courses supporting the university’s emphasis on writing and thinking skills across the curriculum, we offer a variety of courses in rhetoric and composition, technical and professional writing, and the teaching of writing. 

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Tracks: Technical and Professional Writing and Writing Studies 
  • Minors (21 hours)
  • Program Coordinator: Dr. Kyle Mattson

COURSES AND CHECKSHEETS

TRACKS

TRACK 1: Technical and Professional Writing, Major & Minor

Technical and Professional Writing, or Track 1 of the WRID major and minor, gives students practical and theoretical experience as writers working to get things done. Whether planning and designing digital or print-based projects or contributing to and curating knowledge for diverse social media platforms, professional writers design information for use and accessibility. 

Professional writers produce websites and blogs, training manuals and infographics, reports, proposals, and white papers, among numerous other workplace genres, projects, and products. Students following this path often pursue futures in industry, government, or non-profit sectors. Recent graduates of this track have worked as writers and curators of niche content for companies across Central Arkansas and Greater Little Rock.

The Technical and Professional Writing track is designed to give students theoretical and practical experience in developing communication that works, that is to say, communication that people use (to make decisions, to get work done, to get information, etc.) such as social media, websites, white papers, training materials, reports, and proposals for a 21st century audience.

TRACK 2: Writing Studies, Major & Minor

The Writing Studies track offers a breadth of experience in rhetoric, composition, professional writing, creative writing, and linguistics. While pursuing an interdisciplinary understanding of these many areas, students will enhance their writing skills in a range of academic, and creative writing genres. 

Writing studies majors and minors will study the diverse purposes and practices of textual production and the different social and cultural contexts of writing. Students in the Writing Studies track value the diverse purposes and practices of textual production, whether through rhetorical analysis, creative exploration, or multimodal compositions and presentations.

 

INTERNSHIP AND DIRECTED STUDY

 

AWARD

Joanna Castner Post Outstanding Student in Writing Award 

2023-24             Maddie Porter

2022-23             Katy Reagan

2021-22            Miriam Phwandaphwanda

2020-21            Emily Dye

2019-20            Britney Wells

2018-19            Kelsey McGraw

2017-18            Hannah Standley

 

Up-and-Coming Writing Major

2023-24           Grace Flannagin

2022-23           Sarah King

2021-22           Will McDonald

 

Best Scholarly Essay

2023-24           Grace Flannagin

2022-23           Kennedy Kinley & Maddie Porter

2021-22           Cameron Steed

 

Best Multimodal Project

2023-24            Katy Reagan

2022-23            Maddie Porter

2021-22            Addison Richman

 

Best Community Engagement Project

2023-24            Will McDonald, Gillian Howard, Erica Hurst, Sierra Clark

2022-23            Will McDonald

2021-22            Lexi Bratton, Aylssa Rieman, Drew Weld

 

SCHOLARSHIPS 

Apply here for scholarships listed below.

DONIS W. FORD MEMORIAL BOOK SCHOLARSHIP

For full-time junior or senior African-American students majoring in English, African-American Studies or Writing with a GPA of 3.0 or above. Consideration may be given to financial need.

FRED AND LILLIAN PETRUCELLI SCHOLARSHIP

For full-time students majoring in writing, journalism or theatre with a GPA of 2.75 or above. Selection shall be based on financial need, potential and academic performance.

JOHN C. ROHWEDER SCHOLARSHIP

For full-time undergraduate students who have completed 30 or more hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above. Preference is given to non-traditional students, students majoring in writing, or students pursuing a degree within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Consideration may be given to financial need.