English Courses Advice Plz

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Lagrangian
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(If there is a better area for this, please move it, I wasn't sure where to stick it.)
I'm going to be starting college this year and I was looking at two colleges primarily, a community college and a State University. If I can't get a scholarship at the SU, then I'll go to the community college for the first few courses that will transfer in to make it cheaper(I hope) otherwise I'm straight off to the U.
I'm hoping for the Scholarship to come through, so I looked up the classes I would like to take as a fiction novelist/editor.
I already have my own ideas, but I'd like your opinions on which would be best-http://onestop2.umn.edu/programCatalog/viewCatalogProgram.do?programID=312&strm=1079 and http://onestop2.umn.edu/courses/courses.jsp?institution=UMNMO&designator=ENGL

Here are the community courses-http://www.nhcc.edu/What_can_I_study/Course_descriptions/CourseCatalog.aspx?disc=ENGL For convenience's sake, let's just assume they all transfer.
 

ideagirl

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(If there is a better area for this, please move it, I wasn't sure where to stick it.)
I'm going to be starting college this year and I was looking at two colleges primarily, a community college and a State University. If I can't get a scholarship at the SU, then I'll go to the community college for the first few courses that will transfer in to make it cheaper(I hope) otherwise I'm straight off to the U.
I'm hoping for the Scholarship to come through, so I looked up the classes I would like to take as a fiction novelist/editor.
I already have my own ideas, but I'd like your opinions on which would be best-http://onestop2.umn.edu/programCatalog/viewCatalogProgram.do?programID=312&strm=1079 and http://onestop2.umn.edu/courses/courses.jsp?institution=UMNMO&designator=ENGL

Here are the community courses-http://www.nhcc.edu/What_can_I_study/Course_descriptions/CourseCatalog.aspx?disc=ENGL For convenience's sake, let's just assume they all transfer.

At the CC, start with college writing and advanced college writing. (I would assume from the literacy of your post and my knowledge of CC pedagogy that the CC's "preparation for college writing" courses may teach skills that you already have.) At the state U, figure out which course (fundamentals of writing vs. college writing) is the best fit for your existing level of skill--you'll need to talk to an advisor for that. And don't be afraid to sign up for a writing class that you think might be a little bit below your level--it never hurts to fill in the gaps in your writing skills while repeating certain other skills to make them stronger.

Basic college writing classes are the foundation of every other humanities class (as well as many of the science classes) that you'll take in college. Pretty much every professor in every class you'll ever take will value clear, well-organized writing, especially if it also shows that you know how to do research, so nail that skill from the get-go. Also, basic college writing courses generally include teaching about what constitutes plagiarism (which includes but is not limited to paraphrasing someone else's ideas without giving them credit), and you do need to be clear on what that is, because the consequences of not being careful about that can be harsh, both in school (e.g. failing the class) and out of school (books with plagiarism in them can result in total humiliation for the author and the publisher, and you, the editor, are in the perfect position to spot plagiarism BEFORE that happens).

Then move on to other types of writing (fiction, etc.). I would suggest that you try your hand at several different types--not just fiction, but also poetry, journalism, maybe creative nonfiction if such classes are offered--because it will help develop your ear for different styles and your ability to write in those styles, which will definitely help you as an editor. You might find yourself one day editing a fiction manuscript that's written in a very poetic style, or a very journalistic style; having a basic background in types of writing other than fiction could be helpful.

And of course, take as many literature classes as you can.
 
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