ENGL 3424 - Writing for Social Media

Credits: 3

This course will explore the relationship between audience, purpose and text in a cross section of social media, including Tweets, blog posts, Facebook updates, and Instagram photos, among others. As we practice working in the various forms, we will concurrently develop criteria for evaluating each form of writing and visual texts, find examples, assess what makes them effective, and consider the decoding skills they demand from readers. Students will merge theoretical discussions of social media with writing practice, learning how to characterize, use, and write with and for different social media platforms, from social-networking sites to crowdsourcing platforms. There will be an increased engagement with social media through effective, active social media writing and exploration of ”influencer” culture.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102