For students interested in writing for a public audience—whether in print, online, across social media, or in professional settings—the Minor in Public Writing and Rhetoric offers a wide range of courses beyond the First and Second Writing Requirements. Blending study of rhetorical practices with hands-on opportunities to compose, this minor prepares you to not just to write but to engage—with purpose, imagination, and impact. Students learn to gauge audiences, work across genres and media, and convey ideas with persuasive force and ethical awareness.
Whether they’re drafting articles, creating content for digital platforms, or shaping policy-oriented arguments, students in the minor acquire high-demand skills for fields such as journalism, advocacy, policy, nonprofit communication, medicine, law, digital design, marketing, education, and beyond. In short, this minor offers both a strong theoretical foundation and practical toolkit for engaging the public.
To earn a Minor in Public Writing and Rhetoric, students must complete 18 credits as specified below:
- At least 12 credits of ENWR courses at the 3000 level or above.
- A maximum of 6 credits (total) can be earned from the following courses:
- ENWR courses at the 2000-level or above (except ENWR 2510 “Advanced Writing Seminar,” a course for advanced first-year students, which does not count toward the minor)
- 3000/4000-level ENGL courses
- 3000/4000-level ENCW courses
Only courses taken in the English Department at the University of Virginia can count toward the Public Writing and Rhetoric minor. Within the College of Arts and Sciences, the same course may not be applied to a major and a minor.
If you have questions, or would like to declare a minor in Public Writing and Rhetoric, please contact Prof. Tamika Carey (tlc9ec@virginia.edu).