The Ohio State University Department of English

Writing, Rhetoric and Literacy (WRL) Specialization

Writing, Rhetoric and Literacy (WRL) Specialization

If you like English classes but wonder if there’s more to it than reading and writing about literature, consider the English major specialization in Writing, Rhetoric and Literacy (WRL). Students in the WRL specialization study how people use texts to persuade, inform and create communities, and they consider how social and material contexts enable and constrain how and what people communicate. By taking introductory and advanced coursework in rhetorical theory, workplace writing, digital media composing, and research methods, WRL students become well-rounded experts in how writing works across diverse contexts.

Basic Information

  • Students pursuing the English major with a WRL Specialization will complete a minimum of 12 unique courses (36 hours).  
  • Students must have a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) for all courses in the major program and a minimum grade of C- for each individual major course. A minimum grade of C is required for English 3379.
  • 27 credit hours must be at 3000+ level.
  • Up to 6 credit hours may be counted towards your GE Theme requirements. These courses are indicated with §. Please consult with your advisor to get more information on how you can (and can't) overlap GE Theme requirements with major requirements.
  • Not all courses are offered every term: please consult with your advisor. 

Requirements for WRL Specialization

Honors and Research Distinction Information