"Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow."
—Lawrence Clark Powell


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Because we think in words, the study of English—both language and literature—is the study of ideas and the expression of ideas. Writing skill is not limited to "correct" grammar and mechanics but rather emphasizes clarity, coherence, persuasiveness, and power—the effective communication of complex ideas. And reading skill is not limited to functional literacy but rather involves an appreciation of the power of language to create and communicate subtle nuances of thought.

Studying English—as part of the general education curriculum or as a major—is less about learning facts than it is about acquiring skills. In our technological world, where computers effectively store and retrieve information, we need to become more sophisticated users of information; we need to learn how to employ information in meaningful and productive ways. To do that, we need to know not just what the information is but what it means. In other words, the pursuit and construction of meaning is the primary task of English literary and language study. And this process makes your life richer.

The most successful people in this world are seldom the ones who try to fashion themselves to fit some predetermined slot in the existing order of things, but rather those whose vision and ability enable them to find or create a space that fits them. This requires imagination and an awareness of the many dimensions of human thought and experience—skills offered by the study of language and literature.

The study of English also provides skills that have multiple applications in many career fields. One of the things employers say they look for in successful candidates is the ability to communicate clearly; no other academic study develops communication skills better than English, because the many forms of communication and self-expression are the core of its discipline.

The study of English is not about right and wrong answers; it's about immersing yourself in the process of intellectual growth. It's about reading deeply and thinking hard about ideas you might not otherwise have considered, and it's about using those new ideas to expand your conception of yourself and your world. Ultimately, the value of your college education will lie less in the number of questions you can answer than in the kinds of questions you can ask now and over the course of the rest of your life.



—Dr. Derek B. Alwes, Newark English Department Coordinator