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The Norton Survey of English Majors:
A Student Perspective

Over the last two years, Norton’s literature group conducted a wide-reaching survey of more than 2000 students and degree-holders from English programs to identify answers to three main questions:

  • Why do students choose to study English?
  • How does their coursework connect (or fail to connect) with their professional goals or experiences?
  • What would they suggest for the major in the future?

We’ve summarized the results into a report that we hope will complement the work that English departments, instructors, and administrators are already doing to attract students to the field.

Are your students interested in college publishing careers?

Invite your students to join information sessions with Norton literature staff.

Posters to Celebrate your English Majors and Minors

Tell us about your courses and department in a short survey and receive a three pack of posters to hang in your office or department to publicize the benefits of an English degree.

The data

We encourage readers to download and examine the full data set in the context of your own initiatives and research purposes, and to adapt the student survey for local needs.

Did you miss “Illuminating the English Major”?

Watch the recording for insights and resources from English departments across the country.


Norton Literature Events

Engage with top writers, poets, and teachers—including Norton's award-winning authors and editors—for thought provoking talks and student lectures throughout the academic year.


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Image Credits: (Harjo Photo) Photo by Shawn Miller; (Betts Photo) Photo by Mamadi Doumbouya; (Wilson Photo) Photo by Ralph Rosen; (Dove Photo) Photo by Fred Viebahn; (Mays Photo) Photo by Apisit Lim.
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