English Minor

[Dionysus]

If spelling and grammar is one of your weakest links, will an english minor help you indirectly if you're going into advertising or PR?

[KillarneyRose]

YES. The ability to communicate effectively is the basis of both advertising and public relations. Nowhere is this more apparent than in your writing, because the written word is most often your first contact with a potential client or editor.

As an English minor, you will do a lot of writing and that will definitely strengthen your writing abilities (i.e. grammar and spelling). If your main interest is public relations, though, I recommend taking as many journalism classes as you can or even trying to write for your school newspaper. The style of writing you use in a newspaper is very different from the style you would use in an expository paper, and public relations writing (press releases, public service announcements, etc.) is more closely related to the former.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any more questions

[Eirene_DGP]

KillarneyRose is giving you great advice. I majored in English in college and several of the classes are more business oriented, especially if you choose to minor in professional writing (if your school offers that track). Professional writing goes over resumes, cover letters, business presentations, marketing strategies, organization skills, and just about everything you will need to communicate effectively.

[trisigmaAtl]

are you a communications major? that's a good major for PR. Another good minor would be Writing, if your school offers it. At my school all the classes are literature based and very little work is done to improve our writing, it is already expected to be at a good level. A writing minor would perhaps do more to work on actively improving your grammar etc. but not all schools offer that kind of minor. If you have a good technical writing option within an english minor than that would be great. either way any classes that force you to write in any increased quantity can't help but improve your skill.

[Dionysus]

Yes, I'm a communications major. We have English minor, journalism minor, and writing certificate.

I absolutely hate literature, so I guess I better check into the journalism minor or writing certificate.

[KSig RC]

Originally posted by Dionysus
Yes, I'm a communications major. We have English minor, journalism minor, and writing certificate.

I absolutely hate literature, so I guess I better check into the journalism minor or writing certificate.

ENGLISH MAJORS ARE GENERALLY MAJORS IN LITERATURE!



if you hate lit, but are looking for writing experience, you'll poop the bed w/ an english minor - unless you really want to take that proseminar in british poetry to improve your grammar.

Go journalism - most journalism departments have mandatory grammar sections to begin.

[PM_Mama00]

I am a PR major and I really wana go into Advertising and promotions. I have 3 more classes to take of upper level English to minor... but OMG our English classes suck ass.

Creative writing classes are prolly the best. I took one and totally loved it and I'll proly take the upper level one also. Then again I took writer's workshop twice in high school cuz I loved it so much.

ps... i type fast on the computer... when i'm actually puttin thought into things, i type better.

[KSigkid]

I'd say go with a journalism major/minor. I majored in Journalism in college, and you get a TON of writing practice. I've spoken with quite a few PR professionals out of college, and they say that a journalism degree, as well as journalism writing experience look good when applying for PR jobs.

Not that it's helped me any, but that's what the PR pros tell me.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by KSig RC
ENGLISH MAJORS ARE GENERALLY MAJORS IN LITERATURE!



if you hate lit, but are looking for writing experience, you'll poop the bed w/ an english minor - unless you really want to take that proseminar in british poetry to improve your grammar.

Go journalism - most journalism departments have mandatory grammar sections to begin.

Exactly. I majored in English, and there was not much writing involved at all, except in my poetry and fiction writing classes. 99% of what we did was read literature, which really has nothing to do with building grammar skills.

[CatStarESP4]

I was an English Minor (Sociology Major), but specialized in British Literature (Medieval and Renaissance periods). It was basically literary/survey courses and one theory course.

I worked very briefly in a Public Relations firm, but I wasn't sure if my minor helped me get my foot in the door. I have also interviewed with a few PR firms, but didn't get the job.

I love literature nevertheless!

[Rudey]

Can someone tell me what an entry level person does in PR? I know in marketing and advertising you have all sorts of different branches...some are quantitative and analytical and some are creative, etc.

I think it sounds fun. Banking makes good money but it's as fun as getting your face hit with a bag of hot nickles.

-Rudey

[docetboy]

English and Business are great minors to have - wide uses.

[Dionysus]

I will look in to the jounalism minor or the writing certificate.

Business minor doesn't sound bad either.

I'll talk around some more to see which of the three is the best w/ my major.