Professional Writing & Rhetoric
Why Choose a Professional Writing and Rhetoric Minor at UNC Asheville?
The Professional Writing and Rhetoric Minor at UNC Asheville develops strong, adaptable writing skills for professional, academic, and public settings. Through coursework in writing, grammar, and a hands-on internship, students gain practical experience and rhetorical awareness. Electives from multiple disciplines allow students to tailor the minor to their interests, preparing them for careers in communication, publishing, health fields, and beyond.
A Dynamic Curriculum
Coursework in the Professional Writing and Rhetoric Minor explores how language and communication function across professional, cultural, and rhetorical contexts. Students examine the role of writing in shaping meaning, organizing information, and engaging diverse audiences through a variety of genres and media. Emphasizing both theory and practice, the minor encourages critical thinking, adaptability, and effective communication across disciplines and real-world settings.
Headwaters Literary Journal
Headwaters Literary Journal
At UNC Asheville, English majors have the opportunity to publish their work while earning their degree. Headwaters, the university’s annual creative arts magazine, showcases poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and visual art submitted by students, faculty, and staff. The magazine provides a platform for students to share their unique voices with the campus community and beyond. Students can also contribute behind the scenes by enrolling in a four-credit course that offers hands-on experience in editing, publishing, and distributing the journal as part of the Headwaters team.
“One of the biggest surprises for both subjects was probably how much there was for me to learn and engage with. There are so many lenses through which to analyze texts, so many themes to follow and identify over time, and the professors in both departments have the experience and the training to take broad subjects and flesh them out into incredible detail. I’m always learning more than I ever expected in any of my classes,”
Meet the English Faculty
Meet the English Faculty
Our English faculty are active in their fields, publishing their scholarship and creative work. Our department brings noteworthy writers to campus for readings, workshops, and conversation. Many of our students conduct independent and faculty-mentored research, publish in the University’s literary journal Headwaters, and are active in Asheville’s vibrant writing community.
Related Programs
Ready for What's Next?
The Professional Writing and Rhetoric minor at the University of North Carolina Asheville strengthens your ability to communicate effectively across diverse contexts and audiences. This program emphasizes practical experience in areas such as workplace writing, digital media, editing, and persuasive communication. Through workshops, collaborative projects, and close mentorship, you’ll refine your writing process and develop strategies for crafting clear, impactful messages. Designed to complement any major, the Professional Writing and Rhetoric minor equips you with versatile skills in analysis, communication, and problem-solving — valuable for careers in business, media, nonprofit work, law, and beyond.