The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing for Screen and Television is a unique, four-year program for students who seek intensive professional preparation for a career in screen and television writing. This rigorous program emphasizes small, workshop-style classes, and attracts students from all over the world. Students attend a variety of guest speaker presentations, take high level industry internships, are provided with mentors and taught by world-class professors.
Each fall, a class of 30 undergraduate writing students is selected to begin the program. A total of 128 units is required for completion of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree; 66 of these units are taken in a prescribed sequential order. There are no spring admissions.
Applicants must submit supplemental application and materials to the program office. For specific instructions, contact The John Wells Division of Writing for Screen and Television, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211 or telephone (213) 740-3303, or online at cinema.usc.edu .
General Education Requirements
The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program is effective for all students entering USC in fall 2015 or later, or transfer students beginning college elsewhere at that time and subsequently transferring to USC. It requires eight courses in six Core Literacies, plus two courses in Global Perspectives (which may double-count with courses in the Core Literacies) and two courses in writing. For more information about USC’s general education requirements, see General Education .
Required Production Courses
Undergraduate writing students are required to take CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication . This introductory production course is taken during the sophomore year.
CTPR 290 introduces the interrelationship of visuals, sound and editing in cinematic communication. Students participate in directing and producing workshops as well as individual and group projects. Approximately $1,000 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.
Four-Year Major Requirements (66 units)
Year one, first semester.
CNTV 101 Reality Starts Here Units: 2
CTCS 190g Introduction to Cinema Units: 4
CTPR 409L Practicum in Television Production Units: 2, 4
CTWR 100g Story: Character, Conflict, and Catharsis Units: 4
Total units: 12
Year one, second semester.
CTCS 201 History of the International Cinema II Units: 4
CTWR 250 Breaking the Story Units: 2
CTWR 321 Introduction to Hour-Long Television Writing Units: 2
Total units: 10
Year two, first semester.
CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication Units: 4, 6 (6 units only)
CTWR 206a Writing the Screenplay Units: 4
CTWR 416 Motion Picture Script Analysis Units: 2
Year Two, Second Semester
CTWR 206b Writing the Screenplay Units: 4
CTWR 411 Television Script Analysis Units: 2
CTWR 421 Writing the Hour-Long Dramatic Series Units: 2
CTWR 434 Writing the Half-Hour Comedy Series Units: 2
Total units: 8
Year three, first semester.
CTCS 464 Film and/or Television Genres Units: 4 or
CTCS 469 Film and/or Television Style Analysis Units: 4
CTWR 305 Advanced Screenwriting: The Relationship Screenplay Units: 4
CTWR 437 Writing the Original Situation Comedy Pilot Units: 4
CTWR 439 Writing the Original Dramatic Series Pilot Units: 4
Year Three, Second Semester
CTWR 449 Rewriting the Original Dramatic Series Pilot Units: 4
CTWR 453 Advanced Feature Rewriting Units: 4
Total units: 4
Year four, first semester.
CTWR 418a Senior Thesis Units: 4 or
CTWR 419a Senior Thesis in Dramatic Television Units: 4
CTWR 420a Senior Thesis in Half-Hour Television Comedy Units: 4
Year Four, Second Semester
CTWR 418b Senior Thesis Units: 4 or
CTWR 419b Senior Thesis in Dramatic Television Units: 4
CTWR 420b Senior Thesis in Half-Hour Television Comedy Units: 4
CTWR 459a Entertainment Industry Seminar Units: 2
Total units: 6
Suggested electives in Cinematic Arts include:
CTWR 404 Foundations of Comedy Units: 2
CTWR 407 Creating the Comedic Character Units: 2
CTWR 410L Character Development and Storytelling for Games Units: 4
CTWR 417 Script Coverage and Story Analysis Units: 2
CTWR 422 Creating the Dramatic Television Series Units: 2
CTWR 430 The Writer in American Cinema and Television Units: 2
CTWR 431 Screenwriters and Their Work Units: 2 max 6
CTWR 432 Television Writers and Their Work Units: 2 max 6
CTWR 433 Adaptations: Transferring Existing Work to the Screen Units: 2
CTWR 435 Writing for Film and Television Genres Units: 2, 3, 4 max 8
CTWR 437 Writing the Original Situation Comedy Pilot Units: 4 max 8
CTWR 438 Linked Narrative Storytelling for the Web Units: 2, 4
CTWR 439 Writing the Original Dramatic Series Pilot Units: 4 max 8
CTWR 449 Rewriting the Original Dramatic Series Pilot Units: 4 max 8
CTWR 468 Screenwriting in Collaboration Units: 4 max 8
CTWR 477 Staff Writing the Sketch Comedy Show Units: 2 max 6
CTWR 487 Staff Writing the Multi-Camera Television Series Units: 4 max 8
CTWR 497 Staff Writing the Single-Camera Half-Hour Series Units: 4 max 8
CTWR 499 Special Topics Units: 2, 3, 4 max 8
Grade Point Average Requirements
A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be earned in all required and prerequisite courses (a grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not fulfill a major requirement).
USC Libraries
Research Guides
Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper
Academic Writing Style
Purpose of Guide
Design Flaws to Avoid
Independent and Dependent Variables
Glossary of Research Terms
Reading Research Effectively
Narrowing a Topic Idea
Broadening a Topic Idea
Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
Applying Critical Thinking
Choosing a Title
Making an Outline
Paragraph Development
Research Process Video Series
Executive Summary
The C.A.R.S. Model
Background Information
The Research Problem/Question
Theoretical Framework
Citation Tracking
Content Alert Services
Evaluating Sources
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
Tiertiary Sources
Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative Methods
Insiderness
Using Non-Textual Elements
Limitations of the Study
Common Grammar Mistakes
Writing Concisely
Avoiding Plagiarism
Footnotes or Endnotes?
Further Readings
Generative AI and Writing
USC Libraries Tutorials and Other Guides
Bibliography
Academic writing refers to a style of expression that researchers use to define the intellectual boundaries of their disciplines and specific areas of expertise. Characteristics of academic writing include a formal tone, use of the third-person rather than first-person perspective (usually), a clear focus on the research problem under investigation, and precise word choice. Like specialist languages adopted in other professions, such as, law or medicine, academic writing is designed to convey agreed meaning about complex ideas or concepts within a community of scholarly experts and practitioners.
Academic Writing. Writing Center. Colorado Technical College; Hartley, James. Academic Writing and Publishing: A Practical Guide . New York: Routledge, 2008; Ezza, El-Sadig Y. and Touria Drid. T eaching Academic Writing as a Discipline-Specific Skill in Higher Education . Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2020.
Importance of Good Academic Writing
The accepted form of academic writing in the social sciences can vary considerable depending on the methodological framework and the intended audience. However, most college-level research papers require careful attention to the following stylistic elements:
I. The Big Picture Unlike creative or journalistic writing, the overall structure of academic writing is formal and logical. It must be cohesive and possess a logically organized flow of ideas; this means that the various parts are connected to form a unified whole. There should be narrative links between sentences and paragraphs so that the reader is able to follow your argument. The introduction should include a description of how the rest of the paper is organized and all sources are properly cited throughout the paper.
II. Tone The overall tone refers to the attitude conveyed in a piece of writing. Throughout your paper, it is important that you present the arguments of others fairly and with an appropriate narrative tone. When presenting a position or argument that you disagree with, describe this argument accurately and without loaded or biased language. In academic writing, the author is expected to investigate the research problem from an authoritative point of view. You should, therefore, state the strengths of your arguments confidently, using language that is neutral, not confrontational or dismissive.
III. Diction Diction refers to the choice of words you use. Awareness of the words you use is important because words that have almost the same denotation [dictionary definition] can have very different connotations [implied meanings]. This is particularly true in academic writing because words and terminology can evolve a nuanced meaning that describes a particular idea, concept, or phenomenon derived from the epistemological culture of that discipline [e.g., the concept of rational choice in political science]. Therefore, use concrete words [not general] that convey a specific meaning. If this cannot be done without confusing the reader, then you need to explain what you mean within the context of how that word or phrase is used within a discipline.
IV. Language The investigation of research problems in the social sciences is often complex and multi- dimensional . Therefore, it is important that you use unambiguous language. Well-structured paragraphs and clear topic sentences enable a reader to follow your line of thinking without difficulty. Your language should be concise, formal, and express precisely what you want it to mean. Do not use vague expressions that are not specific or precise enough for the reader to derive exact meaning ["they," "we," "people," "the organization," etc.], abbreviations like 'i.e.' ["in other words"], 'e.g.' ["for example"], or 'a.k.a.' ["also known as"], and the use of unspecific determinate words ["super," "very," "incredible," "huge," etc.].
V. Punctuation Scholars rely on precise words and language to establish the narrative tone of their work and, therefore, punctuation marks are used very deliberately. For example, exclamation points are rarely used to express a heightened tone because it can come across as unsophisticated or over-excited. Dashes should be limited to the insertion of an explanatory comment in a sentence, while hyphens should be limited to connecting prefixes to words [e.g., multi-disciplinary] or when forming compound phrases [e.g., commander-in-chief]. Finally, understand that semi-colons represent a pause that is longer than a comma, but shorter than a period in a sentence. In general, there are four grammatical uses of semi-colons: when a second clause expands or explains the first clause; to describe a sequence of actions or different aspects of the same topic; placed before clauses which begin with "nevertheless", "therefore", "even so," and "for instance”; and, to mark off a series of phrases or clauses which contain commas. If you are not confident about when to use semi-colons [and most of the time, they are not required for proper punctuation], rewrite using shorter sentences or revise the paragraph.
VI. Academic Conventions Among the most important rules and principles of academic engagement of a writing is citing sources in the body of your paper and providing a list of references as either footnotes or endnotes. The academic convention of citing sources facilitates processes of intellectual discovery, critical thinking, and applying a deliberate method of navigating through the scholarly landscape by tracking how cited works are propagated by scholars over time . Aside from citing sources, other academic conventions to follow include the appropriate use of headings and subheadings, properly spelling out acronyms when first used in the text, avoiding slang or colloquial language, avoiding emotive language or unsupported declarative statements, avoiding contractions [e.g., isn't], and using first person and second person pronouns only when necessary.
VII. Evidence-Based Reasoning Assignments often ask you to express your own point of view about the research problem. However, what is valued in academic writing is that statements are based on evidence-based reasoning. This refers to possessing a clear understanding of the pertinent body of knowledge and academic debates that exist within, and often external to, your discipline concerning the topic. You need to support your arguments with evidence from scholarly [i.e., academic or peer-reviewed] sources. It should be an objective stance presented as a logical argument; the quality of the evidence you cite will determine the strength of your argument. The objective is to convince the reader of the validity of your thoughts through a well-documented, coherent, and logically structured piece of writing. This is particularly important when proposing solutions to problems or delineating recommended courses of action.
VIII. Thesis-Driven Academic writing is “thesis-driven,” meaning that the starting point is a particular perspective, idea, or position applied to the chosen topic of investigation, such as, establishing, proving, or disproving solutions to the questions applied to investigating the research problem. Note that a problem statement without the research questions does not qualify as academic writing because simply identifying the research problem does not establish for the reader how you will contribute to solving the problem, what aspects you believe are most critical, or suggest a method for gathering information or data to better understand the problem.
IX. Complexity and Higher-Order Thinking Academic writing addresses complex issues that require higher-order thinking skills applied to understanding the research problem [e.g., critical, reflective, logical, and creative thinking as opposed to, for example, descriptive or prescriptive thinking]. Higher-order thinking skills include cognitive processes that are used to comprehend, solve problems, and express concepts or that describe abstract ideas that cannot be easily acted out, pointed to, or shown with images. Think of your writing this way: One of the most important attributes of a good teacher is the ability to explain complexity in a way that is understandable and relatable to the topic being presented during class. This is also one of the main functions of academic writing--examining and explaining the significance of complex ideas as clearly as possible. As a writer, you must adopt the role of a good teacher by summarizing complex information into a well-organized synthesis of ideas, concepts, and recommendations that contribute to a better understanding of the research problem.
Academic Writing. Writing Center. Colorado Technical College; Hartley, James. Academic Writing and Publishing: A Practical Guide . New York: Routledge, 2008; Murray, Rowena and Sarah Moore. The Handbook of Academic Writing: A Fresh Approach . New York: Open University Press, 2006; Johnson, Roy. Improve Your Writing Skills . Manchester, UK: Clifton Press, 1995; Nygaard, Lynn P. Writing for Scholars: A Practical Guide to Making Sense and Being Heard . Second edition. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, 2015; Silvia, Paul J. How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing . Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2007; Style, Diction, Tone, and Voice. Writing Center, Wheaton College; Sword, Helen. Stylish Academic Writing . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2012.
Strategies for...
Understanding Academic Writing and Its Jargon
The very definition of research jargon is language specific to a particular community of practitioner-researchers . Therefore, in modern university life, jargon represents the specific language and meaning assigned to words and phrases specific to a discipline or area of study. For example, the idea of being rational may hold the same general meaning in both political science and psychology, but its application to understanding and explaining phenomena within the research domain of a each discipline may have subtle differences based upon how scholars in that discipline apply the concept to the theories and practice of their work.
Given this, it is important that specialist terminology [i.e., jargon] must be used accurately and applied under the appropriate conditions . Subject-specific dictionaries are the best places to confirm the meaning of terms within the context of a specific discipline. These can be found by either searching in the USC Libraries catalog by entering the disciplinary and the word dictionary [e.g., sociology and dictionary] or using a database such as Credo Reference [a curated collection of subject encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, guides from highly regarded publishers] . It is appropriate for you to use specialist language within your field of study, but you should avoid using such language when writing for non-academic or general audiences.
Problems with Opaque Writing
A common criticism of scholars is that they can utilize needlessly complex syntax or overly expansive vocabulary that is impenetrable or not well-defined. When writing, avoid problems associated with opaque writing by keeping in mind the following:
1. Excessive use of specialized terminology . Yes, it is appropriate for you to use specialist language and a formal style of expression in academic writing, but it does not mean using "big words" just for the sake of doing so. Overuse of complex or obscure words or writing complicated sentence constructions gives readers the impression that your paper is more about style than substance; it leads the reader to question if you really know what you are talking about. Focus on creating clear, concise, and elegant prose that minimizes reliance on specialized terminology.
2. Inappropriate use of specialized terminology . Because you are dealing with concepts, research, and data within your discipline, you need to use the technical language appropriate to that area of study. However, nothing will undermine the validity of your study quicker than the inappropriate application of a term or concept. Avoid using terms whose meaning you are unsure of--do not just guess or assume! Consult the meaning of terms in specialized, discipline-specific dictionaries by searching the USC Libraries catalog or the Credo Reference database [see above].
Additional Problems to Avoid
In addition to understanding the use of specialized language, there are other aspects of academic writing in the social sciences that you should be aware of. These problems include:
Personal nouns . Excessive use of personal nouns [e.g., I, me, you, us] may lead the reader to believe the study was overly subjective. These words can be interpreted as being used only to avoid presenting empirical evidence about the research problem. Limit the use of personal nouns to descriptions of things you actually did [e.g., "I interviewed ten teachers about classroom management techniques..."]. Note that personal nouns are generally found in the discussion section of a paper because this is where you as the author/researcher interpret and describe your work.
Directives . Avoid directives that demand the reader to "do this" or "do that." Directives should be framed as evidence-based recommendations or goals leading to specific outcomes. Note that an exception to this can be found in various forms of action research that involve evidence-based advocacy for social justice or transformative change. Within this area of the social sciences, authors may offer directives for action in a declarative tone of urgency.
Informal, conversational tone using slang and idioms . Academic writing relies on excellent grammar and precise word structure. Your narrative should not include regional dialects or slang terms because they can be open to interpretation. Your writing should be direct and concise using standard English.
Wordiness. Focus on being concise, straightforward, and developing a narrative that does not have confusing language . By doing so, you help eliminate the possibility of the reader misinterpreting the design and purpose of your study.
Vague expressions (e.g., "they," "we," "people," "the company," "that area," etc.). Being concise in your writing also includes avoiding vague references to persons, places, or things. While proofreading your paper, be sure to look for and edit any vague or imprecise statements that lack context or specificity.
Numbered lists and bulleted items . The use of bulleted items or lists should be used only if the narrative dictates a need for clarity. For example, it is fine to state, "The four main problems with hedge funds are:" and then list them as 1, 2, 3, 4. However, in academic writing, this must then be followed by detailed explanation and analysis of each item. Given this, the question you should ask yourself while proofreading is: why begin with a list in the first place rather than just starting with systematic analysis of each item arranged in separate paragraphs? Also, be careful using numbers because they can imply a ranked order of priority or importance. If none exists, use bullets and avoid checkmarks or other symbols.
Descriptive writing . Describing a research problem is an important means of contextualizing a study. In fact, some description or background information may be needed because you can not assume the reader knows the key aspects of the topic. However, the content of your paper should focus on methodology, the analysis and interpretation of findings, and their implications as they apply to the research problem rather than background information and descriptions of tangential issues.
Personal experience. Drawing upon personal experience [e.g., traveling abroad; caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease] can be an effective way of introducing the research problem or engaging your readers in understanding its significance. Use personal experience only as an example, though, because academic writing relies on evidence-based research. To do otherwise is simply story-telling.
NOTE: Rules concerning excellent grammar and precise word structure do not apply when quoting someone. A quote should be inserted in the text of your paper exactly as it was stated. If the quote is especially vague or hard to understand, consider paraphrasing it or using a different quote to convey the same meaning. Consider inserting the term "sic" in brackets after the quoted text to indicate that the quotation has been transcribed exactly as found in the original source, but the source had grammar, spelling, or other errors. The adverb sic informs the reader that the errors are not yours.
Academic Writing. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Academic Writing Style. First-Year Seminar Handbook. Mercer University; Bem, Daryl J. Writing the Empirical Journal Article. Cornell University; College Writing. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Murray, Rowena and Sarah Moore. The Handbook of Academic Writing: A Fresh Approach . New York: Open University Press, 2006; Johnson, Eileen S. “Action Research.” In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education . Edited by George W. Noblit and Joseph R. Neikirk. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2020); Oppenheimer, Daniel M. "Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilized Irrespective of Necessity: Problems with Using Long Words Needlessly." Applied Cognitive Psychology 20 (2006): 139-156; Ezza, El-Sadig Y. and Touria Drid. T eaching Academic Writing as a Discipline-Specific Skill in Higher Education . Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2020; Pernawan, Ari. Common Flaws in Students' Research Proposals. English Education Department. Yogyakarta State University; Style. College Writing. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Invention: Five Qualities of Good Writing. The Reading/Writing Center. Hunter College; Sword, Helen. Stylish Academic Writing . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2012; What Is an Academic Paper? Institute for Writing Rhetoric. Dartmouth College.
Structure and Writing Style
I. Improving Academic Writing
To improve your academic writing skills, you should focus your efforts on three key areas: 1. Clear Writing . The act of thinking about precedes the process of writing about. Good writers spend sufficient time distilling information and reviewing major points from the literature they have reviewed before creating their work. Writing detailed outlines can help you clearly organize your thoughts. Effective academic writing begins with solid planning, so manage your time carefully. 2. Excellent Grammar . Needless to say, English grammar can be difficult and complex; even the best scholars take many years before they have a command of the major points of good grammar. Take the time to learn the major and minor points of good grammar. Spend time practicing writing and seek detailed feedback from professors. Take advantage of the Writing Center on campus if you need help. Proper punctuation and good proofreading skills can significantly improve academic writing [see sub-tab for proofreading you paper ].
Refer to these three basic resources to help your grammar and writing skills:
A good writing reference book, such as, Strunk and White’s book, The Elements of Style or the St. Martin's Handbook ;
A college-level dictionary, such as, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary ;
The latest edition of Roget's Thesaurus in Dictionary Form .
3. Consistent Stylistic Approach . Whether your professor expresses a preference to use MLA, APA or the Chicago Manual of Style or not, choose one style manual and stick to it. Each of these style manuals provide rules on how to write out numbers, references, citations, footnotes, and lists. Consistent adherence to a style of writing helps with the narrative flow of your paper and improves its readability. Note that some disciplines require a particular style [e.g., education uses APA] so as you write more papers within your major, your familiarity with it will improve.
II. Evaluating Quality of Writing
A useful approach for evaluating the quality of your academic writing is to consider the following issues from the perspective of the reader. While proofreading your final draft, critically assess the following elements in your writing.
It is shaped around one clear research problem, and it explains what that problem is from the outset.
Your paper tells the reader why the problem is important and why people should know about it.
You have accurately and thoroughly informed the reader what has already been published about this problem or others related to it and noted important gaps in the research.
You have provided evidence to support your argument that the reader finds convincing.
The paper includes a description of how and why particular evidence was collected and analyzed, and why specific theoretical arguments or concepts were used.
The paper is made up of paragraphs, each containing only one controlling idea.
You indicate how each section of the paper addresses the research problem.
You have considered counter-arguments or counter-examples where they are relevant.
Arguments, evidence, and their significance have been presented in the conclusion.
Limitations of your research have been explained as evidence of the potential need for further study.
The narrative flows in a clear, accurate, and well-organized way.
Boscoloa, Pietro, Barbara Arféb, and Mara Quarisaa. “Improving the Quality of Students' Academic Writing: An Intervention Study.” Studies in Higher Education 32 (August 2007): 419-438; Academic Writing. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Academic Writing Style. First-Year Seminar Handbook. Mercer University; Bem, Daryl J. Writing the Empirical Journal Article. Cornell University; Candlin, Christopher. Academic Writing Step-By-Step: A Research-based Approach . Bristol, CT: Equinox Publishing Ltd., 2016; College Writing. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Style . College Writing. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Invention: Five Qualities of Good Writing. The Reading/Writing Center. Hunter College; Sword, Helen. Stylish Academic Writing . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2012; What Is an Academic Paper? Institute for Writing Rhetoric. Dartmouth College.
Writing Tip
Considering the Passive Voice in Academic Writing
In the English language, we are able to construct sentences in the following way: 1. "The policies of Congress caused the economic crisis." 2. "The economic crisis was caused by the policies of Congress."
The decision about which sentence to use is governed by whether you want to focus on “Congress” and what they did, or on “the economic crisis” and what caused it. This choice in focus is achieved with the use of either the active or the passive voice. When you want your readers to focus on the "doer" of an action, you can make the "doer"' the subject of the sentence and use the active form of the verb. When you want readers to focus on the person, place, or thing affected by the action, or the action itself, you can make the effect or the action the subject of the sentence by using the passive form of the verb.
Often in academic writing, scholars don't want to focus on who is doing an action, but on who is receiving or experiencing the consequences of that action. The passive voice is useful in academic writing because it allows writers to highlight the most important participants or events within sentences by placing them at the beginning of the sentence.
Use the passive voice when:
You want to focus on the person, place, or thing affected by the action, or the action itself;
It is not important who or what did the action;
You want to be impersonal or more formal.
Form the passive voice by:
Turning the object of the active sentence into the subject of the passive sentence.
Changing the verb to a passive form by adding the appropriate form of the verb "to be" and the past participle of the main verb.
NOTE: Consult with your professor about using the passive voice before submitting your research paper. Some strongly discourage its use!
Active and Passive Voice. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Diefenbach, Paul. Future of Digital Media Syllabus. Drexel University; Passive Voice. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina.
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2024 Best Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Schools
Choosing a great creative writing school for your bachelor's degree, quality overall is important, other factors we consider, one size does not fit all, best schools for bachelor’s students to study creative writing in the united states, 16 top schools for a bachelor's in creative writing, additional noteworthy schools.
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Creative Writing and Publishing Major Minor
If you have a way with words and a passion for language, then consider studying Creative Writing and Publishing. Learn to master the art of storytelling and work towards your dream career as an author, editor, freelancer, or communications strategist.
Your studies will equip you with the skills to succeed in a broad range of publishing contexts. Experiment with different genres of writing, including novels, short stories, poetry and screenwriting, with all creative outcomes being workshopped by supportive peers and enthusiastic staff.
There will be multiple opportunities for publication during your studies. You will be mentored by a team of published authors, editors and researchers who bring real-world industry experience to the classroom.
Previous USC graduates have achieved publishing success and are now recognised as award-winning Australian authors.
View the full range of Creative Industries majors and minors .
The Creative Writing and Publishing Major can be selected in the Bachelor of Creative Industries , Bachelor of Communication , Bachelor of Design , Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Creative Industries , Bachelor of Arts , and select double degrees that include the Bachelor of Arts.
The Creative Writing and Publishing Minor can be selected in the Bachelor of Creative Industries , Bachelor of Communication , Bachelor of Design , Bachelor of Arts , and any double degree that includes the Bachelor of Arts.
For a major in Creative Writing and Publishing, students must successfully complete 8 courses:
Course
Semester of offer
Units
Requisites
Playing with Words: an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
Within the English major, there are two tracks: Literature (ENGL) or Creative Writing (CRWT) . Each of these tracks will prepare you for a B.A. in English.
Major Requirements
Please note requirements for this major have been changed in 2023:
If you have been admitted in the program as of 2023 or are a prospective student, please see “Major Requirements Fall 2023 and on”.
If you have been admitted in the program before 2023, please see “Major Requirements pre-Fall 2023”.
Note that students under the ‘pre-Fall 2023’ requirements may opt to change their requirements to the that of the 2023 catalogue year. See advisor for more information.
Literature Track
One sophomore seminar: ENGL 240
Two courses in early literatures (one lower-division and one upper division)
Two courses in later literatures (one lower-division and one upper-division)
Race, gender, and/or sexuality
Genre and media studies
Two upper-division electives
One senior seminar: ENGL 491
Creative Writing Track
One course in early literatures
One course in later literatures
One course in interpretive lenses
One introductory poetry workshop
One introductory prose workshop
One 400-level workshop
One contemporary/modern literature course
One upper-division elective
All majors take three introductory courses:
ENGL-261g “English Literature to 1800”
ENGL-262g “English Literature since 1800”
ENGL-263g “American Literature”
All three courses should be done or in progress of being done before enrolling in upper-division courses or workshops.
Two courses in Literature written before 1800
One course in 19th-century literature
One course in American literature
One senior seminar
One course in literature written before 1900
One course in literature written after 1900
Finalized course lists for major requirements pre-Fall 2023
Finalized course lists for major requirements Fall 2023 and on
Course Plans
Dive into our sample course plans to get an idea of what your schedule would look like.
Double Majoring
An English degree can help prepare you for a career in entertainment, journalism, business, technology, law, medicine, public policy, or many other fields. Because of this, many of our students combine English with other majors for a double major. While students cannot double major in Literature and Creative Writing, since they each belong to the single English major, it is possible to combine a major in English with a major in our interdisciplinary Narrative Studies program.
Getting Involved
Students in the English major participate in overseas studies through USC Dornsife to study Anglophone literature on many continents in many countries. In recent semesters, students have taken classes like “Satire, Scandal, and Society, 1700-1740” at Queen Mary University of London, “Twentieth-Century Children’s Fiction” at the National University of Ireland in Galway, and “Romance to Realism” at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
As part of your application to study abroad, you will select courses to be pre-approved by your academic adviser to meet your major requirements.
Visit dornsife.usc.edu/english-overseas/ to explore your opportunities abroad.
The English Honors Program is open to students in English Literature and in Creative Writing. The program provides a unique opportunity to pursue in depth a critical project of your own design. If you are thinking about applying to graduate school or professional school (such as law school) you will find the program especially rewarding. The Honors Thesis is a critical research project and typically runs upwards of 40 pages. Upon successful completion of a critical Senior Honors Thesis your USC transcript will record departmental honors.
Learn more about the Honors Thesis Program
Our students complete internships and volunteerships tutoring students at neighborhood elementary schools with the Joint Education Project, assisting with faculty research and research at USC Libraries, volunteering on political campaigns, and working in publishing, marketing, and media. These opportunities complement the intensive study and professionalization on campus in classes and co-curricular activities, and they guide students toward the diverse set of careers open to those with liberal arts educations.
Students can find these opportunities through the USC Career Center at careers.usc.edu , and students majoring in English are eligible to apply for the USC Dornsife Gateway Internship Program .
Students majoring in English are eligible to apply to our progressive degree program in Literary Editing and Publishing and earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees from USC Dornsife in just five years.
Learn more about the progressive degree program
Graduates of our programs in English Literature and Creative Writing have pursued graduate school; published fiction, nonfiction, and poetry; worked in publishing and social media; pursued law school; and worked at film and television production companies in Los Angeles. Alumni who pursue graduate school have enrolled in education programs, the top MFA programs across the country, and research-based programs overseas.
Please share your stories, updates, and projects with us by contacting our undergraduate student coordinators .
Additional Resources
For advisement and to declare a major in the Department of English, please contact one of our undergraduate student coordinators.
Contact Details
Usc department of english.
3501 Trousdale Parkway Taper Hall of Humanities 404 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0354
Office Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30am- 5pm
Times may adjust in accordance with university holidays.
Amherst College, a private school in Amherst, Massachusetts, is known for its rigorous academic climate. Because Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, students can also take courses ...
rankings
This is an attempt at creating an objective ranking of graduate creative writing programs. For further and more detailed information on how the scores are generated see the methodology page. The List. Program Overall score Fiction score Poetry score CNF score Genres Degrees State; Johns Hopkins University: 11475: 10600: 9350: 0:
Creative Writing at University of Southern California
USC Creative Writing Bachelor's Program. Of the 45 creative writing students who graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2020-2021 from USC, about 31% were men and 69% were women. The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of Southern California with a bachelor's in creative ...
2024 Best Creative Writing Schools
Find Top Schools in Creative Writing near you: A ranking of the top 100 best Creative Writing students colleges. ... USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.
- PhD in Creative Writing & Literature
the Ph.D. in CREATIVE WRITING & LITERATURE PROGRAM is one of the few dual Ph.D. programs in the country that weaves the disciplines of literature and creative work into a single educational experience. Students complete coursework in both creative writing and literature. The dissertation project is comprised of creative and critical manuscripts ...
Literature and Creative Writing (PhD)
USC Catalogue 2023-2024 ... The program provides dual emphasis in literature and creative writing, culminating in the dissertation, which combines critical analysis with creative originality. Roughly half of the dissertation is based on original research, that is to say, research contributing to knowledge which enriches or changes the field. ...
University of Southern California
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,699 (fall 2022), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 226 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Southern ...
University of Southern California BA in Creative Writing
USC Bachelor's Student Diversity for Creative Writing. 34 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded. 73.5% Women. 47.1% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*. During the 2019-2020 academic year, there were 34 bachelor's degrees in creative writing handed out to qualified students. The charts and tables below give more information about these students.
University of Southern California
Emily Geminder PhD (Fiction) 2021. Katherine Karlin PhD (Fiction) 2009. Lisa Lee PhD. Robin Coste Lewis PhD (Poetry) Ryan McIlvain PhD. Bonnie Nadzam PhD (Fiction) 2010. Jessica Piazza PhD 2014. Michael Powers PhD. Jianan Qian PhD (Fiction) 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions. "Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.". - Samuel Johnson. Below find the answers to some common questions regarding the Ph.D. in Creative Writing & Literature program. The dropdown menus below will help you skip to the topic in which you are interested.
Undergraduate
About the Undergraduate Program. We offer a broad range of courses in English, American and Anglophone literature of all periods and genres, but also in related areas such as creative and expository writing, literature and visual arts, ethnic literature and cultural studies, the history of the English language and of literary criticism, and literary and cultural theory.
World's 100+ best Creative Writing universities [Rankings]
Music 1046. Painting and Drawing 1066. Performing arts 1020. Photography 1196. Sculpture 1066. Singing and Vocal Performance 1091. UX/UI Desgin 1001. Below is the list of 100 best universities for Creative Writing in the World ranked based on their research performance: a graph of 3.39M citations received by 403K academic papers made by these ...
John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television
John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television USC School of Cinematic Arts Kristen Davis, Program Coordinator University Park, SCA 335 Los Angeles, CA 90089.2211 Phone: 213.740.3303 [email protected]
The 10 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in the US
University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) Visitor7, Knight Library, CC BY-SA 3.0. Starting off the list is one of the oldest and most venerated Creative Writing programs in the country, the MFA at the University of Oregon. Longtime mentor, teacher, and award-winning poet Garrett Hongo directs the program, modeling its studio-based approach to one-on ...
Program: English (BA)
USC Catalogue 2018-2019 ... Majors emphasizing creative writing must take seven upper-division courses, including two introductory creative writing workshops in poetry and prose, and a third workshop at the 400-level. The remaining upperdivision courses must include one course in literature written before 1900, one course in literature written ...
Emory vs USC vs Iowa for Creative Writing : r/collegecompare
Emory-ranked very highly for Creative writing and I loved the vibe on campus. Feels like it is more collaborative than competitive (at least in English) with a lot of smart kids that help each other out. ... USC-got into narrative studies-basically an interdisciplinary major in Dornsife between writing and whatever else I want. Could minor in ...
English & Creative Writing
"I studied English (emphasis in Creative Writing), one of my USC majors, at King's College London (KCL) in Spring 2019. I was enamored by KCL as a host university due to its centric location in the heart of London (the literature capital of the world, not to mention) and its world-class ranking as a literary institution.
Writing for Screen and Television (BFA)
Applicants must submit supplemental application and materials to the program office. For specific instructions, contact The John Wells Division of Writing for Screen and Television, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211 or telephone (213) 740-3303, or online at cinema.usc.edu. General Education Requirements
Students
Ariel Chu is a PhD student in Creative Writing and Literature at the University of Southern California. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Syracuse University, where she was awarded the Shirley Jackson Prize in Fiction. Ariel's work has been published by The Rumpus, Black Warrior Review, and The Common, among others. Her writing has ...
Academic Writing Style
Academic Writing Style - Organizing Your Social Sciences ...
2024 Best Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Schools
It is hard to beat Johns Hopkins University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in creative writing. Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. More information about a bachelor's in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University. Request Information. 5.
Creative Writing and Publishing
If you have a way with words and a passion for language, then consider studying Creative Writing and Publishing. Learn to master the art of storytelling and work towards your dream career as an author, editor, freelancer, or communications strategist. Your studies will equip you with the skills to succeed in a broad range of publishing contexts.
English Major
Double Majoring. An English degree can help prepare you for a career in entertainment, journalism, business, technology, law, medicine, public policy, or many other fields. Because of this, many of our students combine English with other majors for a double major. While students cannot double major in Literature and Creative Writing, since they ...
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Amherst College, a private school in Amherst, Massachusetts, is known for its rigorous academic climate. Because Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, students can also take courses ...
This is an attempt at creating an objective ranking of graduate creative writing programs. For further and more detailed information on how the scores are generated see the methodology page. The List. Program Overall score Fiction score Poetry score CNF score Genres Degrees State; Johns Hopkins University: 11475: 10600: 9350: 0:
USC Creative Writing Bachelor's Program. Of the 45 creative writing students who graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2020-2021 from USC, about 31% were men and 69% were women. The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of Southern California with a bachelor's in creative ...
Find Top Schools in Creative Writing near you: A ranking of the top 100 best Creative Writing students colleges. ... USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.
the Ph.D. in CREATIVE WRITING & LITERATURE PROGRAM is one of the few dual Ph.D. programs in the country that weaves the disciplines of literature and creative work into a single educational experience. Students complete coursework in both creative writing and literature. The dissertation project is comprised of creative and critical manuscripts ...
USC Catalogue 2023-2024 ... The program provides dual emphasis in literature and creative writing, culminating in the dissertation, which combines critical analysis with creative originality. Roughly half of the dissertation is based on original research, that is to say, research contributing to knowledge which enriches or changes the field. ...
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,699 (fall 2022), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 226 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Southern ...
USC Bachelor's Student Diversity for Creative Writing. 34 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded. 73.5% Women. 47.1% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*. During the 2019-2020 academic year, there were 34 bachelor's degrees in creative writing handed out to qualified students. The charts and tables below give more information about these students.
Emily Geminder PhD (Fiction) 2021. Katherine Karlin PhD (Fiction) 2009. Lisa Lee PhD. Robin Coste Lewis PhD (Poetry) Ryan McIlvain PhD. Bonnie Nadzam PhD (Fiction) 2010. Jessica Piazza PhD 2014. Michael Powers PhD. Jianan Qian PhD (Fiction) 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions. "Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.". - Samuel Johnson. Below find the answers to some common questions regarding the Ph.D. in Creative Writing & Literature program. The dropdown menus below will help you skip to the topic in which you are interested.
About the Undergraduate Program. We offer a broad range of courses in English, American and Anglophone literature of all periods and genres, but also in related areas such as creative and expository writing, literature and visual arts, ethnic literature and cultural studies, the history of the English language and of literary criticism, and literary and cultural theory.
Music 1046. Painting and Drawing 1066. Performing arts 1020. Photography 1196. Sculpture 1066. Singing and Vocal Performance 1091. UX/UI Desgin 1001. Below is the list of 100 best universities for Creative Writing in the World ranked based on their research performance: a graph of 3.39M citations received by 403K academic papers made by these ...
John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television USC School of Cinematic Arts Kristen Davis, Program Coordinator University Park, SCA 335 Los Angeles, CA 90089.2211 Phone: 213.740.3303 [email protected]
University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) Visitor7, Knight Library, CC BY-SA 3.0. Starting off the list is one of the oldest and most venerated Creative Writing programs in the country, the MFA at the University of Oregon. Longtime mentor, teacher, and award-winning poet Garrett Hongo directs the program, modeling its studio-based approach to one-on ...
USC Catalogue 2018-2019 ... Majors emphasizing creative writing must take seven upper-division courses, including two introductory creative writing workshops in poetry and prose, and a third workshop at the 400-level. The remaining upperdivision courses must include one course in literature written before 1900, one course in literature written ...
Emory-ranked very highly for Creative writing and I loved the vibe on campus. Feels like it is more collaborative than competitive (at least in English) with a lot of smart kids that help each other out. ... USC-got into narrative studies-basically an interdisciplinary major in Dornsife between writing and whatever else I want. Could minor in ...
"I studied English (emphasis in Creative Writing), one of my USC majors, at King's College London (KCL) in Spring 2019. I was enamored by KCL as a host university due to its centric location in the heart of London (the literature capital of the world, not to mention) and its world-class ranking as a literary institution.
Applicants must submit supplemental application and materials to the program office. For specific instructions, contact The John Wells Division of Writing for Screen and Television, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211 or telephone (213) 740-3303, or online at cinema.usc.edu. General Education Requirements
Ariel Chu is a PhD student in Creative Writing and Literature at the University of Southern California. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Syracuse University, where she was awarded the Shirley Jackson Prize in Fiction. Ariel's work has been published by The Rumpus, Black Warrior Review, and The Common, among others. Her writing has ...
Academic Writing Style - Organizing Your Social Sciences ...
It is hard to beat Johns Hopkins University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in creative writing. Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. More information about a bachelor's in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University. Request Information. 5.
If you have a way with words and a passion for language, then consider studying Creative Writing and Publishing. Learn to master the art of storytelling and work towards your dream career as an author, editor, freelancer, or communications strategist. Your studies will equip you with the skills to succeed in a broad range of publishing contexts.
Double Majoring. An English degree can help prepare you for a career in entertainment, journalism, business, technology, law, medicine, public policy, or many other fields. Because of this, many of our students combine English with other majors for a double major. While students cannot double major in Literature and Creative Writing, since they ...