2006-10-21 15:20:02 · 11 answers · asked by sophiebo84 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Yes. Take plenty of literature and poetry courses and a few creative writing courses. The more you are exposed to and read other writers' work, the more depth you will have.
2006-10-21 15:28:37 · answer #1 · answered by A recovering Catholic 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As someone who is majoring in English, I can tell you that it will absolutely help you become a better writer. For those who say you will only learn grammar and punctuation do not understand what majoring in English really means. I have taken very few grammar classes throughout college. Most of them have been literature classes, novel classes, Shakespeare classes, and creative writing classes. Of course, Comp classes are required for the degree, but they are a small part of the overall curriculum. By majoring in English, you will read a wide variety of authors from various time periods, styles etc... The more you read, the better writer you become. So, if you are interested in writing, I suggest you major in English, or at least take a lot of Literature courses.
Good luck.
2006-10-21 16:26:10 · answer #2 · answered by imhalf_the_sourgirl_iused_tobe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The reason being an English major helps is that, as you read the writing of others, you learn stylistics, voice, and foundations about writing. It is so much more than grammar and punctuation that makes good writing. Being an English major will expose you not only to grammar and spelling, but literature, and the technical aspects of language. Exposure to many different types of writing will help you to form ideas about the kind of writer you want to be.
Good luck!
2006-10-21 16:23:26 · answer #3 · answered by hrhtheprincessofeire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be a writer you dont need to go to college. If you write a decent book, the publisher won't care if you went to college, all they care about is money, if they think your book is good, theyll publish it whether you are educated or not you could have dropped out of school at 7 for all they care, if it's good it's good no questioning it. What I did to jump start my career as an author, was to just start writing short stories, one day I would write about an Indian tribe and the right of passage of a certain individual to become a warrior, the next it would be a Sergaent in an interstellar war, fighting on some foreign planet against an alien menace bent on conquering earth and enslaving humanity. Another story was about a boy who was crippled from a car accident, going on to get a gold medal in a track meet for his high school, one of them were 2 friends that made a song in their free time, and played it around town with their guitars every weekend, eventually they got big and made tons of money and got famous. I wrote one about a high school soccer team, where one of the best teammates, the striker was drinking and driving and got in a car accident, killed 2 other teammates, a mother and her baby and injured a third teammate. He was sent to jail for life and the team had to deal with the loss of 3 key players and a community hating on them. All the stories are pretty generic, nothing we already haven't heard from other stories but it's helps get your creative side flowing, I would write these based on the emotions I felt that day and what happened at school, so I wrote about a war when I was angry, a sad short story when I was depressed, a light hearted comedy when I was happy. Eventually one of the short stories I was able to turn into a book, modify a little bit and actually get published. They are still editing it but in 1-2 years I'm hoping it's on the shelves. Writing daily short stories of random topics really helped me and although everyone is different, they could help you too. Hope this helped, good luck with your career.
2016-05-22 08:46:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being an English major probabbly wouldn't do a young writer much lasting damage.
2006-10-21 15:25:43 · answer #5 · answered by Ace Librarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, because its important to know good grammer, which i'm sure publishing companies and such are more likely to put out...also you can learn different writing techniques to spice up your writing.
2006-10-21 15:34:59 · answer #6 · answered by BroncosGirl6 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and taking a course in creative writing.
2006-10-21 15:47:47 · answer #7 · answered by roast_breadfruit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No english classes at all, as the only thing that could lead to would be stuff like proper punctuation, correct spelling, sentence structure, etc.
2006-10-21 15:38:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
fraid not. it will teach you good grammar and writing skills. the ability to write something sellable is inherent. either you gots it or you doesn't gots it. courses like creative writing can help you to think like a writer. it's not the grammar/punctuation, but the mental process. have fun and good luck.
2006-10-21 15:29:00 · answer #9 · answered by dulcrayon 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes!
English, literature, and a well-developed imagination!
2006-10-21 15:21:48 · answer #10 · answered by love_2b_curious 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋