Volume 4 Issue 2 – Page 2

Marketing Yourself as a Writer

man working at a computer — Image courtesy of Adobe Stock

Marketing Yourself as a Writer

By Wallace Golding

There exists a common misconception in society regarding the utility of humanity degrees—particularly those in English. They are often seen as archaic and inflexible. As students of the English language, however, professional writers know this could not be further from the truth. English majors are curators and creators well-versed in all things content, design, and project management.

Nevertheless, some sort of disconnect continues to persist between what professional writers believe their degree to be—versatile and flexible—and what employers perceive it to be. As experts in written and visual communication, professional writing students already have an advantage, but there are certain steps that even the most seasoned expert should adopt in order to excel in the competitive job search arena.

There is a generally accepted rule that all professional writers believe to be true: never label yourself as a “professional writer.” Even if this is exactly what you are, this is too broad a term to include on your résumé. With the countless industries that professional writers can end up in, it is important that you cater to the specific industry to which you are applying.

Employers are looking for some sort of expertise beyond document design, typography and rhetorical analysis. That is why it is vital that you focus on the fields you would like to find a career in. So, if you are searching to start a new job with a marketing agency, your title should be something along the lines of “marketing specialist” rather than the relatively nondescript “professional writer.”

As experts in curating content, professional writers understand the importance of branding and maintaining the appropriate image. This should be no different at the personal level either. Create your identity; find one that is recognizable, original, and consistent. CocaCola is identifiable thanks to its cursive-lettered logo and high-contrast colors. Create a design and use the same elements across everything that may be sent to a future employer. This includes business cards, résumés, letterhead, and other printed materials.

Just as you should use your personality in creating an individual brand, you should also use it to create and maintain a personal website and portfolio. There is no better way to showcase what you are capable of than by showing what you have done in the past. If you are an expert in Adobe Creative Cloud programs, prove it with design and document layout work you have done in the past. If you want to dive into the world of technical writing, use documents that you have created either while in school or during internships.

Applications to some jobs may require that prior work be submitted, so keeping your best samples in one place will make this a much easier, more streamlined process. Include your website URL on your business card, résumé and letterhead so that employers can find their way to your work on their own. Additionally, employers may log on to view your work even if they are not requiring you to submit examples of prior work, which can give you an advantage over other applicants.

The most important aspect of marketing yourself as a professional writer, however, is to value industry experience over everything else. Considering the way humanities degrees are viewed, especially in the highly technical fields professional writers often enter, it is important to acquire tangible, résumé-worthy experience before you enter the job market. This can be acheived via numerous methods including internships, paid work, freelancing or even volunteering your expertise to organizations, companies and individuals.

More specifically, it is important that you obtain experience that is relevant to your desired industry. A student interested in pursuing a career in marketing may gain some valuable skills by spending the summer at a biotech firm writing technical documents, but they might benefit more from working at an advertising agency or in the marketing department of a large corporation. Simply put, the experience gained for this student is not bad experience, per se, but it may not be relevant.

Regardless of how they perceive an English degree, employers have been slow to adopt the idea professional writers are, in all actuality, very versatile and flexible. By properly marketing yourself and taking steps like the ones above, however, you can be on your way to that dream job in no time.

Rhetoric and Discourse in Professional Writing

stack of English textbooks — English textbooks

By Jessica Robbins

When it comes to discussing controversial issues, it can be challenging to talk to someone with whom we disagree. It is even harder to write about these issues because we don’t know how our words will be perceived. If our language is hostile and unsympathetic to opposing opinions, it is likely that some readers will become frustrated or simply stop reading. This is a problem for writers because those who disagree with us are often the very people we want our message to reach.

As creators of nonfiction, professional writers face a unique disadvantage when it comes to tackling contentious topics. While a creative writer has the luxury of disguising their ideas inside metaphor and literary critics can conveniently mask their opinions behind literary critique, professional writers must discuss controversial situations openly.

At some point, professional writers are faced with a difficult question: How can I communicate my beliefs in a way that is considerate of those who feel the exact opposite?

This question may have no simple answer, but there are certainly steps we can take to ensure that our ideas are at least heard. According to Dr. Bruce McComiskey, the director of the professional writing program, finding common ground is the most important step when engaging in any type of discourse. Expressing interest in a shared concern is always the best place to start because it lets the other party know that you understand why they would be upset about a particular issue.

Dr. McComiskey goes on to say that it is never a good idea to start with your own personal view if it directly opposes someone else’s. Establishing an element of connection is necessary to make sure that no one feels immediately excluded. We must communicate that we know and understand the other side’s argument before we move forward with the conversation.

The next step in this process is, of course, addressing the issue itself. This is a delicate process for writers, considering the other party is absent at the time the argument is being made. It can be hard to decide exactly when and where a particular idea, phrase, sentence or choice of wording is going to discourage a reader. Therefore, we must be vigilantly to ensure that our argument never comes across as condescending toward a specific belief or ideology.

Keeping condescension out of our work can often pose a challenge. It is impossible to predict exactly how every word will be received, but there are precautions that writers can take to reach the largest audience possible. According to McComiskey, one of the rhetorical devices that individuals use far too frequently is the passive voice. It removes the controversy in a lot of ways, he says, but it does not move the conversation forward, which defeats the purpose of writing about these subjects in the first place. McComiskey says: “If the goal is to offend, then offend.”

It is important to say what you want to instead of tiptoeing around it. The reality of the situation remains that a conversation cannot take place if we never speak candidly about issues that have the potential to offend.

Arguably the most significant aspect of respectful, persuasive writing is keep opinions out of places they don’t belong. We should all listen more than we speak. For writers, this means frequent research as it relates to our topics of discussion. We need to understand the conversation from all angles before we present an opinion. Additionally, examining existing discourse can help us decide what works and what doesn’t when approaching sensitive subjects.

Writing about emotive issues is no easy task. It requires transparency, vulnerability, open-mindedness and, usually, a consent to have your own beliefs criticized. Identifying and establishing some element of common ground is the most important step we can take in these written conversations. Everyone deserves to feel respected and included, regardless of their beliefs.

Writers should always keep the opposing party in mind in order to reach the largest audience possible and communicate that we are listening as much or more than we are talking. Keeping the conversation open ensures that we are actively seeking a solution to these issues and not simply fighting to get our own way.

Keys to Successful Writing

woman writing on clipboard — Image courtesy of Adobe Stock

By Mary J. Doss

According to the UAB Writing Center, “punctuation can make an enormous difference in the meaning of whatever it is you’re writing.” Improper punctuation can result in miscommunication, misrepresentation or worse. Do you know anyone who was denied employment because they used incorrect punctuation? That’s what could happen if you apply for a writing position with grammatical errors.

When you speak to someone face-to-face, you have the opportunity to clarify or restate your intention—this is not the case with writing. For the most part, you are not present when someone reads your work, which means that clarity is absolutely essential. A misplaced comma or period could alter the entire meaning of your sentence. For example, if you write “Don’t stop” instead of “Don’t, stop,” you might end up saying the opposite of what you intended.

The Importance of Punctuation by The Write Corner shows how punctuation can change the meaning of a sentence. If you write “He was bitten by a dog which hurt him” or “He was bitten by a dog, which hurt him,” the meaning becomes unclear and the sentence could become misleading. The comma after “dog” changes the meaning of the sentence. The first statement means the dog hurt him, whereas the second sentence means the bite hurt him.

Improper punctuation can damage well-intentioned writing. The most commonly used punctuation marks in writing are periods, commas, exclamation marks and question marks. In the wrong place, an innocuous comma has the power to mislead your reader, whether that is your professor or your client.

Sometimes we forget to use the correct punctuation, which means that we must take extra care when writing for someone else’s eyes. Make sure to indicate where you want your reader to slow down, to pause, and to stop.

Between 1984 and 1992, I had the opportunity to work in the Word Processing Department for the Army. We were assigned to read, properly punctuate and occasionally rewrite sentences. Everything we read had to be perfect because we were editing training material for the soldiers. This is just one context of many in which professional writing has to be perfect.

If you are looking for a writing career, look no further. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a resource which offers many types of occupations. The handbook reads, “What Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts Do.” The job description went on to say, “These workers are often responsible for editing interviews and other recordings to create a cohesive story and for writing and recording voiceovers that provide the audience with the facts of the story.”

If you are considering becoming an editor, then you must be prepared to use punctuation correctly. The handbook’s description says editors typically do the following:

Read content and correct spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
Rewrite text to make it easier for readers to understand.

Punctuation is of the utmost importance for freelancers, who often work alone and must proofread their own work. Since they write for different companies, the text must be edited to reflect the tone for each. Freelancers must therefore be careful when rereading their content to ensure it comes across properly.

Professional Writing courses prepare students for the real world of writing. Be careful, read and reread everything you write. Knowing how to punctuate correctly is essential for anyone pursuing employment as a professional writer. Former UAB Professional Writing student, Olalekan A. Dada, shares his experience in Professional Writing. Olalekan says, “Writers are needed in a variety of fields, from engineering to the tech industry.”

A few careers that involve high levels of linguistic accuracy can be found at nonprofit organizations, publishing companies, manufacturing plants, medical institutions and legal offices. With that being said, you should always be willing to write well—no matter which path you decide to take.

Inside Mentoring for EH-301: Reading, Writing, and Research

Dr. Jaclyn Wells, Writing Center director

By Malecia Luckie

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be mentored in the professional writing world? Well, I had the chance to be mentored by the director of the Writing Center, Dr. Jaclyn Wells. It was a requirement of the English 301 Course: Reading, Writing, and Research.

The course is designed to improve in-depth reading. Most students tend to overlook deeper messages hidden inside smaller ideas. This course features mentoring to help students as undergraduates and prepare them for life after college. Each student writes a 500-word essay describing their future career plan, then mentors are selected based on a student’s professional goals.

Get to Know Your Mentor

Mentors provide an indispensable service to students considering their lives after graduation. UAB offers a myriad of excellent opportunities for guidance, with professors who have extensive experience in the writing world. If you’re looking for a mentor, it is important to know your their background beforehand, so you can ask relevant questions and know what to expect.

Dr. Wells’ work has been featured in the Writing Center Journal, the Community Literacy Journal and WPA: Writing Program Administration. She even has a book that has been published, Partners in Literacy: A Writing Center Model for Civic Engagement, which was co-authored by Allen Brizee. Dr. Wells has given me many tips on how to be prepared for the world of professional writing.

Take Notes on Their Advice

Dr. Wells gave advice that was simple and to the point. Her first tip for me was, “Internships are incredibly useful for professional writing, actually any sort of real world experience with writing is great and to have a portfolio by the end of college is helpful as well.”

Internships can provide you with real-world experience that will look great to long-term employers. She went on to mention that nonprofit organizations can benefit students tremendously. Nonprofits look great on résumés because it is close to volunteering and service work.

Save Your Work

Dr. Wells emphasized the value of a portfolio, which highlights your skills and helps potential employers know what kind of work to expect from you. Even if you’re not sure it is “good enough,” you should keep your work saved. “Obsessively hold on to things, for people do not credit themselves enough. You should keep everything you have,” she said.

All work can be valuable. Dr. Wells believes that students too often discredit themselves when their work can be used in many ways. Never sell yourself short. You may miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime if you lack confidence in yourself.

Now You’re Ready

Now that you know how and what to do to stay afloat in the job searching process, don’t lose your determination. Even if you do not get every position you apply for—keep going. Sometimes it might feel like things will never work out, but just that know good things come to those who wait. It takes hard work to reach your career goals.

Professional writing majors face many obstacles. Get connected with others like you and find a mentor who has experience in the field you’re interested in. There will times when you feel like giving up on yourself. Just remember: winners never quit, and quitters never win.

The Art of Collaboration

students collaborating — Students collaborating

By Tammy Blue

Regardless of your career choice, mastering collaborative skills is essential for success. Whether you’re working with clients, editors or other writers, collaboration is a necessary feature of professional writing. While it can be one of the more challenging aspects of the job, it is often the most rewarding part of the creative process.

In virtually every professional scenario, a writer will find themselves without full creative control. Business clients will have guidelines that serve as the blueprint from which the writer bases their work. The writer must learn how to implement these ideas effectively without losing their own unique edge. They must make the ideas their own.

Even freelance writers will report to an editor or publisher, who ultimately has the final say on subject, content and style. The professional writer who is able to collaborate within the administrative hierarchy is going to be more valuable. After all, one role cannot exist without the other. There isn’t a successful writer today who will tell you their work has not improved with advice and input from an editor.

Collaboration is often most difficult when working laterally with peers. Though a healthy competition can bring out the writer’s best work, it can also cause stalemates, ultimately derailing a project timeline. It is imperative for the professional writer to express their ideas but remain open to the feedback and constructive criticism. They must always remember that everyone is on the same team.

“This isn’t going to work” are the words every professional writer dreads to hear. Sometimes, even after a successful collaboration, the client will change their mind or realize they actually don’t like what was mutually agreed upon. This can be frustrating for the writer, who now has to modify the project’s design or edit content they feel does not need revision. To the writer, these new ideas might even feel like a regressive step backward. Yet the seasoned professional will dig deep for patience and dive back into the creative collaboration process for their client’s benefit.

One of the most difficult collaborative challenges is working across age or experience gaps. In the professional world, coworkers tend to be in different stages of their careers. For example, a writer may work with a professional who has over 20 years of experience with the organization, or they could be a new hire who just graduated.

The veteran professional may feel intimidated by a younger writer with expertise in programs and software they have never used or have yet to master. If your technical skills are lacking, i is important to set pride aside and consider collaboration with a tech-savvy writer as an opportunity to learn.

At times, you might have to fight the instinct to dismiss a novice writer due to their inexperience. Writers who have worked in the field for many years may be set in their ways with a “been there, done that” mindset. This attitude is a hindrance to effective collaboration.

New writers have a lot more to offer than is often realized. They have fresh eyes and innovative approaches to their work. Conversely, recent graduates should pay attention to writers with more experience and listen to their advice. Veterans can also steer beginners clear of mistakes and potential setbacks before they occur.

When all parties involved donate their personal expertise, collaboration can create a masterpiece. It is important to come into a collective creative process with an open mind and a positive attitude.

Regardless of previous failures, each new collaborative effort is an opportunity to start again. The most amazing ideas often blossom from the distinctive strengths of each contributor.

A professional writer’s talent can be attributed to the fact that they themselves are a product of collaboration. All writers have been influenced by others’ ideas. Professors, editors, publishers, clients and other writers have all contributed to your personal style in some way. It’s likely that you have also learned from a failed collaboration and come out stronger.

Professional writers know their weaknesses and are willing to lean on the strengths of their collaborative partners. By implementing and expanding on these influences, the writer doesn’t lose their voice—in fact, that is how it’s found. That is the art of collaboration.

Creative and Professional Writing: What to Do if You’re Interested in Both

open laptop and book — Creative vs. Professional Writing

By Lauren Moore

As new students come flooding into UAB every fall, some know exactly what they want to study. However, the majority of the lowerclassmen are going to explore their options, possibly making changes to their career paths along the way through a process of trial and error.

For some, this process goes a step further—a student may find the right subject matter to study, but what about the concentration? I struggled with this decision myself. After changing my major a few different times and feeling unsatisfied, I realized that what I really wanted was to study English.

However, my insecurities with this major resurfaced when I had to select a concentration. There were many stigmas that clouded my judgement when I was faced with this decision. I have always loved constructing fiction and other forms of creative writing, but was it practical enough for the real world?

I enjoyed being on the newspaper staff in high school, and writing in a professional sense. Would it be more beneficial to my career to be a professional writer, despite my passion for crafting stories? I had to find out.

In this article, I hope to not only break some of the stigmas surrounding both concentrations, but to also examine potential careers that allow English majors the opportunity to exercise creative and professional writing.

Creative Writing Offers More Than You Think

When people ask me what I’m studying, I usually don’t specify creative writing. I’ve grown tired of the judgmental looks and comments that many give in response. Creative writing suffers from the stigma that it can only lead to teaching jobs. This notion could not be further from the truth. In fact, the creative writing concentration opens the doors to a wide range of possibilities.

Creative writing teaches you how to be a skillful, observant writer. Students are taught to manipulate language in ways that are visually and audibly pleasing to the reader. While a short story and a term paper are very different in content, they both require skillful writing. This concentration will provide you with such expertise.

There are many careers that can derive from this concentration, including publishing, marketing and journalism—proving that creative writing can be a very practical concentration.

Professional Writing is Not as Rigid as it Seems

The idea that first struck me when I considered a professional writing concentration was that it was boring. I immediately feared that there was no way I could be as creative in my career as I wanted to be. Again, this idea is a false stigma associated with this concentration. There are many ways to be creative with a degree in professional writing.

Professional writing is an interesting concentration because it is essentially applicable everywhere. Students in this concentration will learn to develop skills in technical writing, editing and publishing. These skills are useful both in the print and digital media worlds. Not only can professional writers find work as editors and publishers, but they can work at virtually any company that requires a skilled writer.

The Two Concentrations Can Collaborate

The thing to keep in mind with both of these concentrations is that they teach you how to write well. At the end of the day, it often comes down to how you advertise yourself when you interview for a job. If you can assure potential employers that you have the skills they’re looking for, that’s usually all that matters.

There are some opportunities that allow you to use both of these concentrations at once. For instance, some literary magazine publishers and editors get to enjoy designing the magazine and submitting their own creative work as well. All in all, these concentrations are what you allow them to be; if you really look deep and explore all of your options, there will be something there for you.

Five Professional Writing Must-Haves

By Sarah Goodman

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.

Providing Service: Gaining Experience Through the PWC

Elizabeth Slatsky, Social Media Manager for the PWC

By Melissa Lawrence

Professional Writing students frequently engage in emotionless, business-like writing. Unlike other English concentrations at UAB, professional writing requires students to write briefly and concisely. Despite the mechanical nature of professional writing, students in this concentration can still create meaningful products and impact their community.

For instance, UAB’s Professional Writing Club (PWC) partners with a nonprofit organization, Wordsmiths, to help design a literary magazine each year. Throughout the process, UAB students help Birmingham City students acquire the necessary skills to succeed in future careers.

Wordsmiths offers creative writing classes for students attending Birmingham City Schools or living within the city limits. They aim to provide students in 7th to 12th grade with free opportunities to develop creative writing skills. Each year, professional writers and college volunteers work with Wordsmiths to instruct a group of up to sixteen students. They educate the students through extensive individual feedback.

Since most Wordsmiths students are enrolled in schools where seventy percent of students need free or reduced lunches, Wordsmiths focuses heavily on preparing its students for college. Not only do volunteers assist with the students’ creative pieces, they also help with standardized testing preparation and college applications. Wordsmiths shows students how to submit their work to writing contests across the state and the nation. Additionally, students who have enrolled in this after-school program every year since middle school receive a $2,000 scholarship when they graduate high school.

Ultimately, the organization desires to show students that their abilities are valuable and worth improving. They believe that each student has a unique story, and they encourage students to express themselves through short stories or poetry.

The PWC first began collaborating with Wordsmiths in 2014. The organization hoped to continue publishing their students’ work in an annual literary magazine, but it was too expensive and time consuming without the help of the PWC. To save the nonprofit organization a significant amount of money, UAB students now design the layout for the entire publication. A representative of the PWC meets periodically with Gin Phillips from Wordsmiths to ensure the club’s work meets her expectations.

Although UAB students do not directly meet with the Wordsmiths students, they enjoy knowing that their hard work enables young people to have their voices heard.

The PWC’s Social Media Manager, Elizabeth Slatsky, expressed the emotional significance of the project by saying, “I really like knowing my work will have a positive effect on someone. Also, I remember how much I wanted to be a published writer in high school, and I wanted my work to be taken seriously. Creating something that looks professional and polished that the students will be proud of is important to me for this reason. I want to create something they will be proud of.”

At the beginning of the project, PWC members learn how to construct a layout for the magazine within Adobe InDesign. As they format master pages, they also select fonts and designs for the publication. Members then learn how to design a cover page for the magazine. In this process, they often utilize photography skills and gain some Adobe Photoshop experience. This year, a PWC member photographed Rail Road Park to create a unique cover.

When Wordsmiths send in their students’ poems and short stories, PWC members learn how to place their work in the publication while preserving each student’s unique style. After the club completes the project, Wordsmiths receives a final PDF that is ready to print.

Any UAB student can join the PWC and gain valuable experience while designing Wordsmiths’ creative writing magazine. Through this project, students acquire an extensive familiarity with Adobe InDesign. Specifically, students master setting up templates, creating paragraph styles and managing a 60-page document. Students also develop valuable negotiation skills from working with their clients.

Through this project, PWRC students obtain skills for future careers in publishing, and they create a product which many members of the community can enjoy.