Scheduling is a stressful process, to say the least.

Finding time to talk to your advisor and plotting out your upcoming courses are just a few of the many hoops students jump through every semester. Another problem is figuring out which English 202 class to take, as nearly every major requires those credits in one way or another. Although some majors do prescribe which section to take, many leave it up to you.

English 202 has four sections: English 202A, English 202B, English 202C, and English 202D. But what are the real differences between all of the sections? Well, we’re here to help.

English 202A: Writing In The Social Sciences

English 202A is generally for students in, well, the social sciences. But what does that mean?

Writing in the social sciences is workplace writing, including stuff like research proposals, research reports, and literature reviews. While taking English 202A, students will learn some basics, including appropriate citation execution, while also learning about forms of research in the social sciences field.

Overall, this course will teach how to appropriately write about both research they’ve read and conducted. It also focuses on research strategies for formulating these types of literature.

English 202B: Writing In The Humanities

English 202B is what seems to be one of the most popular sections of the class. A great many of the majors in the liberal arts will most benefit from English 202B.

English 202B focuses on critical writing skills. The class studies persuasive techniques to expand professional writing skills that will benefit the student in the workplace.

Professional narratives, a professional portfolio that includes a resume and cover letter, and analysis of a controversy are some of the assignments students may work on in English 202B. The course’s main goal is identified as skillful argumentation.

English 202C: Technical Writing

English 202C is identified as a course targeted toward students in scientific and technical majors. This section focuses on rhetorical writing strategies. Students will learn how to make a targeted argument and how to critically analyze pieces of literature.

The class also works on how best to write communications to strategically maximize readership and understanding. Assignments in English 202C include reports, emails, memos, and application materials for a job.

English 202D: Business Writing

English 202D is — you guessed it — for the business majors.

This class focuses most on effective business communication. That means English 202D will also have a focus on rhetorical writing strategies and audience targeting. Students will learn how best to target an audience and how to effectively communicate a clear and useful argument.

This class focuses on writing in the business world, so work will include assignments like reports, job application materials, business blogs, document design to maximize readership, and social media profiles.

Which Is Right For You?

While the categories of English 202 seem clear-cut for certain majors, students in double majors and minors may want to consider picking one that best suits all of their degree qualities, majors and minors alike.

If your major doesn’t require you to take a certain English 202 course, choose wisely, consider all of your options, and find what will best suit you in your intended career path.