Department of Writing & Rhetoric
WHAT WE DO
The Department of Writing and Rhetoric is the home of the University of Mississippi’s First-Year Writing and Speech Communication programs, the B.A. in Rhetoric, the UM Writing Centers, and the UM Speaking Center.
Studying Writing & Rhetoric
The Department of Writing & Rhetoric is the home of the University of Mississippi’s First-Year Writing and Speech Communication programs, the B.A. in Rhetoric, the UM Writing Centers, and the UM Speaking Center. The department also administers the Writing Enriched Curriculum program, the Minor in Professional Writing, and the Minor in Digital Media Studies. In 2020, the Department became the institutional home of the Willie Morris Awards for Southern Writing.
What is Rhetoric?
Rhetoric is the study and practice of effective messaging.
Rhetoric shapes meaning, experience, identity, and culture. As one of the seven original liberal arts (grammar, rhetoric, logic, geometry, arithmetic, music, astronomy), rhetoric is foundational to critical thinking and a college education. Aristotle described a rhetorician as one who observes “in any given case, all available means of persuasion.”
In Rhetoric classes, students analyze all types of messages, from political speeches to grant proposals to websites to tweets, and compose and deliver their own effective oral, print, and digital texts. They learn to think logically while speaking and writing effectively.
The Department of Writing and Rhetoric supports UM students’ rhetorical development at every stage. First- and second-year courses cover the fundamental writing, speaking, and analytic skills college demands. Upper-division courses focus on specific rhetorical contexts, media, theories, and audiences to develop skills in hearing, reading, composing, and delivering effective messages.
The Speaking and Writing Centers offer support and practice for student presentations and papers in any class. Co-curricular organizations, like the Ty R. Warren Debate Union, provide opportunities for students to collaborate and communicate about the issues that are most important in their lives.
Build the rhetorical skills that will shape your future with the Department of Writing and Rhetoric.
Undergraduates
Academics
The Department of Writing & Rhetoric offers a B.A. in Rhetoric, Writing, and Speech Communication and a Minor in Professional Wring.
Resources & Scholarships
Find out about the generous scholarship opportunities and awards for writing and rhetoric students and student success resources available at the department, college, and university levels.
Meet Our Student Ambassadors
Ainsley Counce
- Greek Life
- Service and Community Engagement
Can you tell me about a professor or a class you’ve taken that has had the most impact on you?
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Ava Ortwein
Why did you choose to attend UM?
See Ava’s AnswerLatest News
Stay informed with the latest from the University of Mississippi Department of Writing and Rhetoric. Explore how our people and programs are actively enhancing the quality of life in Mississippi and beyond. Discover how our innovative research, engaging community connections, academic achievements, and unique student experiences are making a difference.
Honors & Awards / Student News
OXFORD, Miss. – Students in the University of Mississippi Warren Debate Union finished their season among the top teams in the nation.
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Support Writing & Rhetoric
Help support the Department of Writing & Rhetoric by giving a donation! Your gift can help support:
- facilities
- materials and resources
- student groups
- scholarships
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