PRO Opportunity: Copywriting for Graduate Students in English Literature

AJ DeBonis

Copywriting for Graduate Students in English Literature

One of the intended uses of this PRO project is to orient students in English literature to the field of copywriting as a possible profession. Copywriting involves creating content for the purposes of advertising and marketing, and can include writing for a variety of print and online outlets. The first section delineates the basic goals and nature of copywriting, projected employment and salary prospects, and reasons for pursuing or avoiding the field. The second section provides a very, very brief history of copywriting, while the third section discusses copywriting for the internet, including some of the skills and applications that will be useful to budding copywriters. The fourth section examines two of my own areas of interest within the field: marketing psychology and storied branding. The fifth and final section considers what students of English literature have to offer to the profession and provides a few tips on developing a portfolio for the purpose of applying to jobs. The main paper is followed by a bibliography of copywriting resources, two interviews with professionals in the field, and a job posting and cover letter for an introductory position.