Minor in Writing and Rhetoric

Shape ideas. Share your voice. Make an impact.

 

The TWP Minor in Writing and Rhetoric builds rhetorical agility and ethical awareness in written and oral communication across multi-modal contexts.

Whether you're pursuing health, law, STEM, public policy, or the arts, this minor empowers you with critical thinking and communication capacities so you can advance your goals and use your voice to influence others.
 

A minor that signals depth, critical thinking, and human voice.
 
What is Writing and Rhetoric?

The art and ethics of written, spoken, and digital communication—learning how to connect, persuade, and inspire across audiences and media.

Employers consistently rank written and verbal communication and creativity among the top skills they seek across all fields—from health care, tech, and finance to engineering, policy, and beyond. 

This remains true, and is arguably even more important, in the GenAI-era, when GenAI can automate much communication. Critical thinking and human expression—and the ability to collaborate with AI to produce purposeful, persuasive, effective communication across contexts—have never been more essential. 

Why it's for you:

Whatever your interests—health, law, STEM, public policy, arts, humanities, or social sciences—the Writing and Rhetoric Minor strengthens your ability to think critically, write effectively, and communicate across diverse contexts.

What you’ll gain:
  • Rhetorical agility and ethical awareness
  • Public speaking, visual design, and digital storytelling abilities
  • Experience using Al as a tool for strong, ethical communication
  • Flexible course pathways tailored to your academic and professional goals
     
Academic Requirements
  • Prerequisite: Writing 120
  • Total courses: Five (at least three Writing‑coded (W/WR)
  • Core requirement: At least one of the following W/WR‑coded courses:
    • Writing 201S: History of Writing Studies
    • Writing 202S: Theoretical Frameworks of Writing Studies
    • Writing 203S: Research Methods in Writing Studies
  • Electives (TWP-origin): At least three additional Writing and Rhetoric courses at or above the 200 level
  • Optional: Non‑TWP elective: Up to one approved course from outside TWP 
Whatever your Major/Area of Interest, the Writing and Rhetoric Minor Is for You

The Writing and Rhetoric Minor offers a valuable complement to any major or area of interest. Find your major/area of interest below to see example pathways in the Minor in Writing and Rhetoric.
Explore below example pathways for the Minor in Writing and Rhetoric to see how this minor can meaningfully enhance your passions and capacities in a particular major, discipline, or area of interest:

We also encourage you to create your own pathway in the Minor in Writing and Rhetoric to pursue your passions or advance your goals. Scroll through the Minor in Writing and Rhetoric Course Offerings and Approved Electives.

Not sure where to start? Reach out! 
Contact TWP DUS Professor Hannah Davis: hannah.davis@duke.edu 

Example Pathways for the Minor in Writing and Rhetoric 
Based on Majors/Areas of Interest


Pre‑Health / Public Health
  • Writing 202S: Theoretical Frameworks of Writing Studies — Theoretical perspectives and their impact on how we understand and create communication
  • Writing 281S: Rhetorics of Health & Medicine — Patient-centered and narrative-focused writing
  • Writing 205S: Composing Oneself or Writing 240S: Style, Voice, Editing – personal voice and connection in writing, and clarity in tone
  • Writing 315S: Arguments Across Disciplines — Analyze conventions of research writing to increase disciplinary knowledge and argumentation
  • Writing 343: Scientific Information Literacy for the 21st Century (forthcoming Spring 2026)

Pre‑Law / Public Advocacy / Non-Profits

  • Writing 201S: History of Writing Studies— How writing and writing studies have evolved across time, shaping and reflecting human interactions
  • Writing 316S: Persuasive Writing for Change — Advocacy, public scholarship, policy framing
  • Writing 265S: Writing for Global Audiences or Writing 384: Public Speaking: Policy Advocacy and Communication – How to effectively communicate to varied audiences
  • Writing 240S: Style, Voice, and Editing — Analyze and practice effective rhetorical and stylistic choices across a range of contexts
  • Writing 350S: Feminist Rhetorics – How people use language and communication to challenge stereotypes, expand opportunities, and make change (forthcoming Spring 2026)

Computer Science / Engineering

  • Writing 203S: Research Methods in Writing Studies —Qualitative and mixed-methods research methods, focused on the field of Writing Studies and adaptable across disciplines
  • Writing 240S: Style, Voice, and Editing — Analyze and practice effective rhetorical and stylistic choices across a range of contexts
  • Writing 266S: The Dialog Laboratory— Experience the nuances and complexities of interpersonal communication across contexts
  • Writing 281S: Rhetorics of Health & Medicine—Understanding how rhetoric impacts science research and public communication around science research
  • Writing 343: Scientific Information Literacy for the 21st Century (forthcoming Spring 2026)

Arts & Humanities / Social Sciences

  • Writing 201S: History of Writing Studies— How writing and writing studies have evolved across time and shape current communication practices
  • Writing 203S: Research Methods in Writing Studies — Critical inquiry and argument structure
  • Writing 285S: Lessons from African American Rhetoric — Social critique and rhetorical history or Writing 265: Writing for Global Audiences
  • Writing 350S: Feminist Rhetorics – How people use language and communication to challenge stereotypes, expand opportunities, and make change (forthcoming Spring 2026)
  • Writing 316S: Persuasive Writing for Change — Advocacy, public scholarship, policy framing

Finance / Banking

  • Writing 203S: Research Methods in Writing Studies —Qualitative and mixed-methods research methods, focused on the field of Writing Studies and adaptable across disciplines
  • Writing 265S: Writing for Global Audiences—Exploring the nuances of cross-cultural written communication
  • Writing 266S: The Dialog Laboratory—Experience the nuances and complexities of interpersonal communication across contexts
  • Writing 384: Public Speaking and Global Civic Discourse—Exploring the nuances of cross-cultural communication in the context of public speaking
  • Writing 240S: Style, Voice, and Editing — Analyze and practice effective rhetorical and stylistic choices across a range of contexts