Writing

The minor gives students a well-rounded education in creative, academic and professional and journalistic writing. At the same time, it allows students to specialize and develop an area of expertise.

As an integral part of 91ֱ��'s vibrant Department of English, the writing program provides students with:

• Courses in the following three tracks: journalism, professional and academic writing, and creative writing
• Access to and interaction with a highly engaged faculty
• On-going opportunities for world travel
• Participation in the yearly Washington state Les Bailey Writers Series
• Professional experience through 91ֱ��'s student publication, The Belltower
• Membership in the 91ֱ��'s University English Majors Facebook page
• Opportunities for internships with local businesses, the arts and the Washington State Legislature
• Opportunities for field trips and ethnographic observations of the Washington State Legislature
• Creative writing retreats at the 91ֱ��'s Abbey's Lambert Lodge, a beautiful, restorative retreat center on Eld Inlet in the Puget Sound
• Close relations with the Olympia Poetry Network’s monthly poetry readings and the Olympia Song Writer’s circle, both held at downtown Olympia's Traditions café

The writing minor welcomes and is applicable to all majors. Informed by the Benedictine philosophy of education, the writing minor offers students an enriching unique and practical academic experience that meets the needs of the whole person and assists students in writing eloquently for various purposes, audiences and contexts.

Research and internships

91ֱ��'s proximity to the Washington state capital, Olympia, means access to many renowned writers and nature enthusiasts as well as several theatres, poetry and music venues, and local publishing industries. Internships abound with the following:

• Print shops
• Newspapers and radio
• Publishing companies
• State and local governments
• Nonprofits and associations

Related internship possibilities include:

Hear It from a Saint

“The writing minor has provided me the opportunity to expand and strengthen my writing skills to support my political science major and my legal studies minor; by working on genres not used in research settings, I have been able to expand my approach to writing research and report based papers. I have also been able to use the skills gained in the classes required by the writing minor to apply for and be accepted into internships that stress strong writing skills.”​

Kennedy Birley '20
Political Science