Welcome parents! We are so proud to have your student in the Writing, Rhetorics, and Technical Communication program. Your child’s education is our top priority. Our rigorous curriculum has an excellent record of career placement, allowing our graduates to pursue careers as technical editors/writers, social media managers, web developers and writers, content strategists, and so many more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2021 Median Pay for technical writers was $78,060/year ($37.53/hour). Additionally, the skills most in demand for today’s job market are those in which English majors excel – oral and written communication, critical thinking, active listening, reading comprehension and analysis. Dr. Jessie Blackburn, Associate Chair of WRTC, can answer any questions you may have about the program.
Andrea Lunsford defines rhetoric as the art, practice, and study of human communication. In Ancient Greece, public speaking was the primary use of rhetoric. It developed alongside democracy in fifth-century Athens, and as ancient Greeks began to run for office, they used political rhetoric in their speeches to win votes. Sophists, early Athen teachers of rhetoric, offered rhetoric as the central educational discipline. Rhetoric originated in more than just the Greco-Roman tradition, such as the Arab tradition. Today, it serves as a theoretical guideline that helps us make decisions about content, document design, and communication choices.
Internships are required of WRTC students and they often serve as beginning steps towards successful career paths, leading towards rich networks of resources, contacts, and job opportunities. WRTC alumni have interned with App State and local locations, such as Habitat for Humanity,High Country Press, and App State’s literary journal, Cold Mountain Review. Other locations outside of the Boone community include Rhino Records, Smithsonian Museum, and Spin Magazine. Dr. Sarah-Beth Hopton is a wonderful resource for internship questions.
In addition to the stellar experiences that internships can offer, qualifying students can participate in Appalachian’s accelerated master’s program – often called 4+1 – and complete a master’s degree in English in one additional year. With a Master of Arts in English and a concentration in Writing, Rhetorics, and Technical Communication, your child can hone their research and writing skills and develop professional competence in professional writing, rhetoric, composition theory, practice, and pedagogy. Your child will also have opportunities to share their discoveries by publishing their work in scholarly journals and presenting at professional conferences.
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