Many people engage in specific types of writing, particularly non-academic and technology-based writing, that they might not even think of as “writing.” But these specific types of writing–such as emails and web-based writing–require writers to meet certain guidelines in order to be effective. This section provides resources for writing emails, writing for the web, and writing for the job search.<\/p>\n
Also see:<\/strong> Writing in the Disciplines and Across the Curriculum<\/a> for specific types of academic writing in Business, Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences | Conducting Research<\/a> for resources on how to write a research paper | Writing with Technology<\/a> for information on free online tools, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint.<\/p>\n Note for ÌÇÐÄvlog Students<\/strong>: ÌÇÐÄvlog’s Center for Career Services<\/a> also offers assistance with writing related to career and graduate school applications. See their on-demand workshops<\/a>.<\/p>\n Email is one of the dominant ways people communicate at home, work, and school. Even though email is used for both formal and informal communications, one needs to consider the setting and audience when composing a message. In other words, it may be appropriate to use a casual tone in an email to a friend, but that tone may be inappropriate when making a formal request of a professor. These resources address such issues involved in email etiquette.<\/p>\n Effective E-mail Communication <\/strong><\/a>(The Writing Center, UNC Chapel Hill) Email Etiquette<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) Email Tune-up<\/a> (businessenglishpod.com) Email Writing<\/strong> <\/a>(Texas A&M University Writing Center) How to Practice Email Etiquette <\/strong>(Tracy Goodwin, expertvillage.com) 3 Ways to Boost Gmail Netiquette <\/strong><\/a>(University of Iowa) General Tutorials on Web Content, Writing for Web Sites<\/a> <\/strong>(Jimdo.com) Writing for the Web: Articles & Videos<\/strong><\/a> (Nielsen Norman Group) Action Verbs<\/strong><\/p>\n Career Services<\/a> (State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development) Determining Audience<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Example Employment Documents<\/a> (Purdue OWL) (PDF) Job Interview Worksheets<\/a> (The Resource Center) (PDF) Job Skills Checklist<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Reading and Using Job Ads<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Conduct a Job Search<\/a> (Career Services, ÌÇÐÄvlog) Tailoring Documents<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Cover Letters 1: Quick Tips<\/strong> (Purdue OWL Workplace Writers) Cover Letters 2: Preparing to Write<\/strong> (Purdue OWL Workplace Writers) Cover Letters 3: Writing Your Cover Letter<\/strong> (Purdue OWL Workplace Writers) Curriculum Vitae Guide<\/a> (Marquette University Career Services Center) Curriculum Vitae Samples, Templates, and Writing Tips<\/a> (Alison Doyle, The Balance Careers) Guide: Curriculum Vitae<\/a> (Writing@CSU) Resume Examples<\/strong><\/a> (NC State University Career Development Center) Includes resume examples for various industries.<\/p>\n Resumes and CVs<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Writing Curriculum Vitae<\/a> (Alison Doyle, The Balance Careers) Writing the Curriculum Vitae<\/a> (Purdue OWL) 100 Potential Interview Questions<\/a> (Thad Peterson, Monster.com) Interview Questions<\/a> (LiveCareer) Interviewing Skills Guide <\/a>(Virginia Tech, Career and Professional Development) Asking someone to be your reference or write you a letter of recommendation:<\/em><\/p>\n Applicant Request for a Reference<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Asking for Letters of Recommendation<\/a> (Stanford University) How to Ask for a Reference<\/a> (Alison Doyle, The Balance Careers) Sample Reference Request Letter<\/a> (Alison Doyle, The Balance Careers) Serving as a reference or recommendation:<\/em><\/p>\n Guidelines for Writing Letters of Recommendation<\/a> (Linda Kaiser of University of Missouri, Columbia; Retrieved from Saint Mary’s College) (PDF) How to Write a Recommendation Letter<\/a> (Susan M. Heathfield, The Balance Careers) \u201cIf your reference says this, you\u2019ll get a job\u201d<\/a> (Amy Levin-Epstein, CBS News) Top 10 Sample Recommendation Letters<\/a> (Karen Schweitzer, Thought Co.) Acceptance Letter<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Follow-Up After No Response to an Interview<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Follow-Up to an Interview<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Interest Letters<\/strong><\/a> (Luciana Paulise, Forbes) Inquiry about Cover Letter and Resume<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) Letter of Interest Samples<\/strong><\/a> (Alison Doyle, The Balance Careers) Letter When You Receive a Rejection<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) Model for Writing a Request for Further Negotiations<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) Rejection of Job Offer <\/a>(Purdue OWL) Phone Skills<\/a> (Virginia Tech, Career and Professional Development) The \u201cWrite\u201d Way To Engage Future Employers<\/a> (Michael Sachs, Major Lindsey Africa) Writing Professional Letters <\/a>(University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Career Services) (PDF) On the Art of Writing Proposals<\/a> (Adam Prezeworski and Frank Saloman, Claremont Graduate University Writing Center) Planning and Organizing Proposals and Technical Reports <\/a>(Richard Johnson-Sheehan, Sponsored by Indiana DOT) (PDF) Resources for Proposal Writers<\/a> (University of Wisconsin \u2013 Madison, The Writing Center) Sample Academic Proposals from the Purdue OWL<\/a> (Purdue OWL) (PDF) Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles and Books<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) 4 Editing and Proofreading Techniques for Your Novel<\/strong><\/a> (Courtney Carpenter, Writer\u2019s Digest<\/em>) The 10 Dos and Don\u2019ts of Writing a Query Letter<\/strong><\/a> (Brian A. Klems, Writer\u2019s Digest<\/em>) 10 Proofreading Tips for Self-Publishers<\/strong><\/a> (Anna Lewis, MediaShift) Anatomy of a Query Letter: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/strong><\/a> (Writer\u2019s Relief Staff, Huffington Post<\/em>) Author\u2019s Permission Guidelines<\/strong><\/a> (The University of Chicago Press) How to Write the Perfect Query Letter<\/strong><\/a> (Mary Kole, Writer\u2019s Digest<\/em>)WORKPLACE WRITING<\/h2>\n
WRITING FOR EMAIL<\/h3>\n
\nThorough guideline for writing effective, professional email that includes examples you can use.<\/p>\n
\n“Although instant and text\/SMS messaging is beginning to supplant email for some groups’ primary means of Internet communication, effective and appropriate email etiquette is still important. This resource will help you to become an effective writer and reader\/manager of email.”<\/p>\n
\nPosted on YouTube | April and November 2008
\nA series of video podcasts for ESL students who want to improve their business email writing skills. Here is a list of several of these 9-10 minute videos.<\/p>\n\n
\n“Many of the best practices for writing an effective business letter or memo also apply to writing a business email. For instance, when sending email, it\u2019s just as important as ever to tailor your message specifically to your recipient and keep it brief, direct, and engaging. There are, however, some special considerations for conducting business via email.”<\/p>\n
\nPosted on YouTube: September 25, 2008
\nSeries of short (1 – 1 1\/2 minute) videos on email etiquette in a business environment. Here is a list of segments in this series:<\/p>\n\n
\n“Here are three tools that could save your life, give your emails a professional, unique look, and possibly save you some minor embarrassment.”<\/p>\nWRITING FOR THE WEB<\/h3>\n
\n“Good website writing is the key to beating these odds. Well-written content that\u2019s optimized for the web rises to the top of search results and holds readers\u2019 attention.”<\/p>\n
\nA list of articles related to “Writing for Web.”<\/p>\nWRITING FOR THE JOB SEARCH<\/h2>\n
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General Resources<\/h3>\n
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\nAn explanation of why we should use action verbs when writing professionally and applying to jobs.<\/li>\n
\nThis categorized list contains only a few action verbs you can use to compose concise, persuasive<\/em>, reader-centered<\/em> resumes, cover letters, or other types of workplace documents. The examples are illustrations that overview the uses of action verbs in professional writing.<\/li>\n
\nA list of action verbs categorized according to skill sets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nResources including Resume Writing Guidance<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n“This handout provides information on how to tailor your employment documents to a specific audience.”<\/p>\n
\nThis PDF contains \u201cexamples of resumes, CVs, and cover letters for a variety of disciplines.\u201d It is annotated with comments on organization, grammar, layout, language and other useful tips.<\/p>\n
\nA collection of worksheets that can assist job seekers in defining their objectives, collecting information for their resumes, writing their cover letters, filling out application forms, and acing their interviews.<\/p>\n
\n“The following is a sample list of skills found in a cross-section of careers. Circle every skill that applies to you. Jot down examples of situations in your working life that demonstrate this skill. Then try to incorporate these skills into your resume and\/or cover letter.”<\/p>\n
\nThis resource discusses the organization and language used in job ads, along with strategies for critically reading and understanding ads.<\/p>\n
\nA variety of online resources and tools for students and alumni.<\/p>\n\n
\n“This handout provides information on how to tailor your employment documents to a specific audience.”<\/p>\nCover Letters<\/h3>\n
\n“This page provides a down-and-dirty guide to writing cover letters. Here you will find brief answers and lists of what you should include in a cover letter, how to order and format such a letter, and what to do before sending it out.”<\/p>\n\n
\n“Before you start to write a cover letter, you should gather information about yourself, the company, and the job. This page will help you learn what kind of information to find, where to find it, and how and why to use that information to ‘sell yourself’ in a cover letter.”<\/p>\n\n
\nThis page includes information on writing your heading, addressing your cover letter, and writing your introduction, body, and closing paragraphs.<\/p>\n\n
Resumes\/CVs<\/h3>\n
\nDescribes how a CV differs from a resume and how to compile information for your CV.<\/p>\n
\nHere are some CV examples, formats, and templates for academic, IT, medical, and international positions, among others.<\/p>\n
\nA step-by-step guide to writing your CV. Use the navigation bar on the right to view different categories.<\/p>\n
\n“These OWL resources will help you compose effective r\u00e9sum\u00e9s and Curriculum Vitae for your job search. This section includes resources on page design (which includes using white space, headings, and fonts), as well as resources on tailoring your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 for specific employers. This section also contains links to other OWL resources geared for working class positions.”<\/p>\n
\nIncludes information on when to use a CV and how it differs from a resume.<\/p>\n
\n“This handout provides an overview of strategies for writing an effective curriculum vitae. This topic is particularly important for graduate students who are entering the academic job market for the first time.”<\/p>\nInterviews<\/h3>\n
\n“While there are as many different possible interview questions as there are interviewers, it always helps to be ready for anything. So we’ve prepared a list of 100 potential interview questions. Will you face them all? We pray no interviewer would be that cruel. Will you face a few? Probably. Will you be well-served by being ready even if you’re not asked these exact questions? Absolutely.”<\/p>\n
\n“A great interview boils down to one thing: sound preparation. With the right amount of research, practice, and persistence, you\u2019ll be ready to give the best answers to even the toughest interview questions. To get started, have a look through our list of sample interview Q&As and professional tips. From example responses to salary negotiation guidance, we\u2019ve given you the helpful advice you need to ace your next interview.”<\/p>\n
\nThe guide provides a comprehensive review of interview skills including the following topics: ethical issues | standards of conduct, types and locations, DOs and DONTs, employer information sessions, skills and demeanor, interview attire, typical interview questions, questions to ask the employer, practice interviews and after interviews.<\/p>\nReferences and Recommendations<\/h3>\n
\nHere are some suggestions for contacting people you wish to serve as references for you.<\/p>\n
\nSimple guidelines for managing your letter requests.<\/p>\n
\nHere are some suggestions for asking someone to serve as a reference for you and creating your reference list.<\/p>\n
\nThis is a very basic template for writing a letter\/e-mail asking someone to serve as a reference for you. You might also want to describe the position you are applying for and attach your current resume to the e-mail.<\/p>\n
\nA two-page handout on what to include in the opening, body, and conclusion of a letter of recommendation. The PDF also contains a sample letter.<\/p>\n
\nUseful tips on what to include\/not include in a letter of recommendation.<\/p>\n
\nThis article explains what you can do to prepare your references to speak about you or, if you are serving as a reference for someone, what you can say to help the person sound like a top candidate.<\/p>\n
\n“Writing a recommendation letter for someone else is a huge responsibility and getting everything just right is important. If you are seeking inspiration, the following sample recommendation letters should help. These sample recommendations are the most popular samples on the site.”<\/p>\nCorrespondence with Prospective Employers<\/h3>\n
\nGeneral guidelines for what to include in a letter\/e-mail when you are accepting a job offer.<\/p>\n
\nGeneral guidelines for what to include in a follow-up letter\/e-mail when you have not heard back from a company after an interview.<\/p>\n
\nGeneral guidelines for what to include in a follow-up letter\/e-mail after an interview along with a model letter.<\/p>\n
\n“A well-crafted letter of interest can set you apart from the competition in today’s cut-throat job market. Whether you’re seeking a new opportunity,\u00a0changing your career path,<\/a>\u00a0or simply striving to make a lasting impression, mastering the art of writing a captivating letter of interest can be a game-changer.<\/p>\n
\nGeneral guidelines for what to include in an inquiry letter\/e-mail when you have not received a response to your job application. This site also provides a model letter.<\/p>\n
\nAn example of a letter\/e-mail you would write to a company that has not advertised specific openings. This letter allows you to inquire about potential openings, emphasize your interest in the company, and highlight your skill set.<\/p>\n
\n“Consider writing a letter even when you receive a rejection. Sometime later when you have had additional experience or training, you may want to apply to the firm once more. The letter shows that you were extremely interested in working for the particular company and states your interest in applying for another position at a later date.” This site offers suggestions about what to include in this letter\/e-mail.<\/p>\n
\nAn example of how to professionally and politely discuss a job offer you would like to negotiate.<\/p>\n
\nGeneral guidelines for what to include in a letter\/e-mail when you are not accepting a job offer.<\/p>\n
\n“In your search for an internship or job, your resume and cover letter alone are not the only tools to success. Employers will be evaluating you on all forms of communication and how you handle and present yourself. Be a pro on the phone.”<\/p>\n
\nAn article about how to converse with prospective employers that includes three key tips: use formal language, pay attention to your tone, and think about how you\u2019re representing yourself.<\/p>\n
\nThis document discusses the structure and content of different correspondence between you and your prospective employer. Some topics include an interview confirmation letter, a post-interview thank you letter, and job offer acceptance\/declination\/clarification letters. Sample letters are located at the end of the document.<\/p>\nWRITING FOR PUBLICATION<\/h2>\n
WRITING A PROPOSAL<\/h3>\n
\n“Some Candid Suggestions for Applicants to Social Science Research Council Competitions.”<\/p>\n
\nAn extensive guide to planning for a proposal, from identifying your purpose and audience to drafting your conclusion. This resource includes charts you can fill in while you\u2019re preparing to write. The second half of the PDF (p. 18-end) provides tips for writing a technical report.<\/p>\n
\n“This page lists some useful books and websites for graduate students working on research proposals.”<\/p>\n
\nIncludes sample proposals for conferences, articles and book chapters..<\/p>\n
\nA guide to writing conference proposals.<\/p>\nPREPARING YOUR MANUSCRIPT FOR PUBLICATION<\/h3>\n
\n“Joseph Bates, author of The Nighttime Novelist<\/a><\/em>, shares tips for editing and proofreading a novel or book.”<\/p>\n
\n“While query letters vary a little depending on who the agent is (and their guidelines) and what type of book you\u2019re writing (novel, nonfiction, poetry, etc.), there are many elements that remain the same. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve developed this list of dos and don\u2019ts to help you navigate what\u2019s really important to include in your pitch and, also, what should be avoided at all costs. By sticking to these 10 specific dos and don\u2019ts of writing a query letter, you\u2019ll give yourself the best opportunity to find success and land an agent.”<\/p>\n
\n“No matter how many times you\u2019ve read through your work, it\u2019s amazing how often errors can sneak through to the final stages. The problem: You\u2019re so familiar with the text that you see what you think you have written rather than what you actually wrote. For this reason, at the very least, it\u2019s good to ask a few friends to help you proofread. Don\u2019t forget to carefully proofread the cover, copyright, and title pages as well as any indices, tables of contents, and dedications \u2014 mistakes in these areas happen surprisingly often. So, short of hiring a professional proofreader, what else can you do to make sure your book is as close to perfect as possible? Here are some tips.”<\/p>\n
\n“When submitting book queries, your letter has precious little time to grab the attention of the literary agent reading it. If you don\u2019t get to the meat of the book right away, your query might end up in the recycling bin. The following guidelines will help you compose a letter that will keep agents\u2019 attention long enough to give your manuscript a fighting chance.”<\/p>\n
\nMost of the information regarding permissions on this site is not particular to The University of Chicago Press. This page can help any writer who wants to know more about copyright, fair use, public domain, and when permission is needed for previously published materials.<\/p>\n