writing for yourself

Writing for yourselfWriting for yourselfWriting for othersWriting for others

Writing for othersWriting for othersother college classescover letters seeking employmentletters to the editor/government officialsblogs, posts on a message boardthank yous and other personal notesbusiness communicationsprofessional journalsmedia content

other college other college classesclasses

Read assignments closely. Listen in class. Take notes.

Ask pointed questions. Narrative voice? Essay or report? Amount of research? Tone? Audience? Format?

Understand that each instructor’s terminology will probably differ. If possible, speak with the instructor about your paper directly, one-on-one. Give the writing process and your ideas the time and focus they deserve. Shine!

cover letters cover letters seeking seeking employmentemployment

Stick to one well edited page. Review professional samples. Seek feedback from an editor before mailing. Do not send out cover letters with mistakes. Compose a beginning, middle, and end to your letter in brief paragraphs. Trim excess; be forthright and under-stated.

blog, blog, post on a post on a message message boardboard

Live in the new frontier. Maintain civility even in cyberspace.

letters to letters to the editor/the editor/government government officialsofficials

Politely express yourself on the views of the day. Write with focus; support your ideas with details. Write to the editorial pages of your favorite newspapers and magazines, electronic or print. Address elected government representatives as is customary for their office.

Thank yous and other personal notes

Remember to say thank you. Handwritten notes are a nice gesture for a variety of occasions, both personal and professional. Send a note card after a job interview. Offer condolences. Reach out to a mentor. Make a personal connection.

business communicationsbusiness communicationsLearn how to write professional e-mails and other forms of business communications. Don’t guess! Take a class or consult a reference. On the job, maintain good communication skills on the phone, interacting with clients and coworkers, and in writing.

professional journalsprofessional journalsUse the OCC database to find out what’s being published in your intended field. Industry publications? Academic Journals? Write to match intended publication. Send your work with a cover letter. Getting published looks good on resumes.

media content media content Newspapers and magazines, both print and electronic, need content. Why aim low? Maintain writing skills. Who knows where they might take you. Write articles, novels, poems, plays and scripts about your professional and personal experiences. Write to match intended publication. Seek publication.

Writing for yourselfWriting for yourself

journal or diaryfamily storiesscripts for job interviews

centercenter

journal journal

or diaryor diary

Compose first draft essays about what’s on your mind in order to blow steam or get in touch.

Try journaling exercises such as

writing unsent letters.

Write for personal use as creativity dictates.

Or dedicate to a loved one, such as a child or distant relative.

Untangle your emotions.

Records your dreams.

Plot your goals.

Detail a journey.

keep records

family storiesfamily stories

Record your child’s early life.

Tell the story of meeting a spouse or close friend.

Remember stories of joy and sadness.

Include funny stories too.

Share with loved ones.

Try it! scripts for scripts for job job interviewsinterviews

In advance of a job interview, guess questions and compose answers.

Actually write out a script.

Revise.

Rehearse out loud alone or together with a friend.

Use your well composed ideas at the interview.

Free up nervous energy for other important behaviors like maintaining eye contact and voice control.

Operation Get That Job!

Unsent letter

exampleexample

journaljournal

exercisesexercises

Write a letter to your ten year old self offering wisdom and advice.

Write a letter to the deceased, lost or unborn.

Write a letter expressing what can’t be said in real life.

Write a letter to your older self. Read it in a decade’s time.

Create a time capsule with your family. Include letters, stories and other artifacts. Create a map,

bury your treasure and dig it up in the distant future.

write to enjoy lifewrite to enjoy life

"The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Gina Fournier

Oakland Community College

Summer 2008