Writing for the Public looks toward the possible futures for sixth semester students: its focus on the essay will be practice-based, while necessitating the development of some critical and formal understanding. It will attempt to explore traditions of essay-writing in English, and introduce students to the conventions and niceties of a variety of forms that may be deployed to both popular and academic effect: reviews, literary essays, interviews, culture writing, photo essays and the personal essay. Students will be encouraged to adapt these forms for a variety of contemporary media.

In terms of capabilities, this course will work intensively towards equipping students with some knowledge of the writing craft, and of allied skills in close-reading, planning, peer-reviewing, editing and proof-reading. Students will be encouraged to reflect upon prior learnings and develop their own literary voices and tastes.