Has a professor ever advised you to keep the textbook from their class? Did you listen to them? In an age where renting textbooks is often the most financially feasible option, it can be hard to follow their advice. Still, wouldn’t it be nice to know which professional writing materials will help you in the real world? Here is a breakdown of the books, manuals, stylebooks, software and online resources that both professors and alumni swear by.
Number 1
An online portfolio where you can display your writing is a must-have. To do so, however, requires an ability to maintain the website. Content curation is not everyone’s strength so the ability to manage or code a website is extremely valuable. There are website hosts that are free such as Wix, WordPress, and Weebly, which offer premium services for small subscription fees.
Without subscription fees, you can still manage and customize the website through coding. Sometimes a single line of code can make all the difference in the aesthetic and readability of your content. If you are a coding novice, there are free online training and tutorials like Dash by General Assembly, CodeAcademy, and W3 Tutorials.
Number 2
The responsibilities of professional writers have evolved over the past decade; these days it is a good investment to keep a book on design rules and tips. “Because of everything that professional writers have to know and be able to do in 2017, sometimes our attention to writing effective, clear, balanced, and elegant sentences gets lost in translation,” said Dr. McComiskey, Director of Professional Writing Programs. “So for me, every professional writer, and every professional writing student, should own and use a book on style. Style is not grammar: grammar is about correctness; style is about making writing clear and powerful.”
Now, which stylebook do you go with? There are plenty of valuable ones; it boils down to the approach. Dr. McComiskey offered, “If you’re interested in academic writing, Joseph Williams’ book Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace is excellent. If you’re interested in more general non-fiction writing, then Joe Glaser’s book Understanding Style is great. If you’re interested in writing for the Web, then Nicole Fenton and Kate Kiefer Lee’s book Nicely Said is wonderful.”
Number 3
Adobe Creative Cloud is a must-have for many professions. The utility of Creative Cloud is practically unmatched in the mainstream digital design market. Adobe has an affordable package for students that features all the programs for $19.99 per month. For individuals who are not students, Creative Cloud offers all applications costs for $49.99.
However, UAB alum Olalekan Dada said that if you or the organizations you work for do not have access to Adobe Creative Suite, it is worth your time to learn how to design your work through Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office users can attest that creative design is not an easy task in Word, but learning how to use the other components (Powerpoint, Publisher, Sharepoint, Visio, etc) could also serve as useful tools.
Number 4
When writing is your job, you have to write properly; the online resource called Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) can help with that. Whether you are citing diverse bodies of work or trying to remember an obscure grammar rule, Purdue OWL has the endorsement of professionals and professors alike. Purdue OWL is a free online resource that provides extensive guides in different writing styles, citation, grammar and writing techniques for job searches. The OWL even provides guides for writing in specific industries such as technical writing, creative writing, healthcare writing, literature, engineering and more.
In addition to Purdue OWL, A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker is a great resource introduced in English Composition 101 and continuing through professional careers. However, Director of the University Writing Center, Dr. Jaclyn Wells said, “There is nothing that beats just writing for a long period of time.” Experience is the best teacher, but it never hurts to have a cheat–sheet.
Number 5
The last must-have is coffee. Dr. Wells, Director of the University Writing Center, said that coffee is one of her many must-haves. The discipline of professional writing is a tough one that requires working hard hours and enduring criticism. But if you have the dedication, willpower and an energy boost, you can be a great and successful writer.
You may not need all or any of these extra resources. Just remember that it’s tough to fix things without tools. Having a knowledge of industry-standard programs like Adobe Creative Cloud or best-practices for curating your online content can make a difference.
