English majors specialize in analysis of English literature and are graded on their analytic abilities as well as their ability to communicate it effectively and with precise nuance. They’re not majoring in essay writing, which is what most people get exposure to from the English degree. But just like introduction to programming isn’t computer science, despite being the only course most people take in computer science, the semantic and syntactical accuracy bit is the intro class and the later course work - especially doctorate level - is not at all “writing a clear essay on a topic of your choice.”