CM 445: Technical Writing for the Professions Unit 2: Pitching Ideas & Conducting research Christine Danelski, Ph.D.

Any questions from Unit 1? On the readings? The discussion boards?

Unit 2 Activities:  Reading: You will read chapter 3 “Collaborating on Writing Projects” in the our textbook and two articles found in the Kaplan Library:  Castles, S. (2002). Show and tell. Writer.  Weinberg, S. (1996). The all-important query letter. Writer.

Unit 2 Activities:  Discussion Board Prompt: You will plan your final project using the organizational format found in Chapter 3 of Writing for the Professions.  Unit 2 Project: You will compose an actual query letter to the editor of the magazine or journal to which you are going to submit your article.

WP: Chapter 3 Phases of the Project  Planning (Timeline!)  Writing, usability testing, and editing  Producing  Conducting a postmortem Bovell et. al. (2008). Writing for the Professions. Pearson Education. 58.

Writing for Publication CM445KaplanUniversity CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

Unpaid publication Unpaid publication Self-promotion Self-promotion Feedback from readers Feedback from readers Push for paid publication Push for paid publication Find niche online Find niche online Develop web following Develop web following Obtain own web address Obtain own web address Internet-only Publication CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

1.Analyze writing to find market 2.Research market 3.Obtain guidelines 4.Professional format for query & manuscript 5.Track multiple submissions 6.Learn from rejections 7.Keep submitting Publication Process CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

Not written for your best interests Not written for your best interests Print and electronic rights, different Print and electronic rights, different Exclusivity Exclusivity Indemnification, you’re responsible for content (even edited) Indemnification, you’re responsible for content (even edited) Publication Contracts CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

Keep it short, serious, articulate Keep it short, serious, articulate Draw reader in, no gimmicks Draw reader in, no gimmicks Confident, not assuming Confident, not assuming Brief synopsis (3 sentences) Brief synopsis (3 sentences) Note publications, academic experience Note publications, academic experience How article fits into periodical How article fits into periodical Find name of editor Find name of editor Query Letter CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

Use Business Letter format Use Business Letter format Use single-spacing block format paragraphs Use single-spacing block format paragraphs Skip a line between each paragraph. Skip a line between each paragraph. For more details on how to format business letters go to: Purdue Online Writing Lab: How to write a business letter at: Query Letter CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

Title page Title page Top left (single space): your legal name, address, phone, Top left (single space): your legal name, address, phone, Top right: word count Top right: word count Halfway down, centered: Title Halfway down, centered: Title Two spaces down: by Two spaces down: by Two more spaces down: [Name] Two more spaces down: [Name] Manuscript (if no guidelines provided) CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

First page First page 1/3 way down, centered: [Title] 1/3 way down, centered: [Title] Two spaces down: by [Name] Two spaces down: by [Name] Two more spaces down: begin article Two more spaces down: begin article Left header: [Last name], [Title] Left header: [Last name], [Title] Right header: page number Right header: page number 1/3 way down: Chapter (if book) 1/3 way down: Chapter (if book) Indent paragraphs, double-space, 1 inch margins Indent paragraphs, double-space, 1 inch margins Manuscript (if no guidelines provided) CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

Engaging and memorable writing Engaging and memorable writing Avoid slow starts Avoid slow starts Edit, or have it edited Edit, or have it edited Find balance between simple and interesting; don’t overwrite Find balance between simple and interesting; don’t overwrite Use your own writer’s voice Use your own writer’s voice Avoiding Article Rejection CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

Practice, Persistence, Professionalism Practice, Persistence, Professionalism Adjust expectations Adjust expectations Rejections happen to everyone Rejections happen to everyone Be thick skinned, open minded Be thick skinned, open minded Publication = luck/timing + writing Publication = luck/timing + writing Network with writers, professionals, editors, etc. Network with writers, professionals, editors, etc. Hard Truths CM445 / C. Hannigan / 2010

Writer’s Guidelines Database: Writer’s Guidelines Database: List of some relevant periodicals: List of some relevant periodicals: Formal Writing suggestions: /AcademicSuccess/PeerTutoring/Writing/pdf/style/form al_vs_informal.pdf Formal Writing suggestions: /AcademicSuccess/PeerTutoring/Writing/pdf/style/form al_vs_informal.pdf /AcademicSuccess/PeerTutoring/Writing/pdf/style/form al_vs_informal.pdf /AcademicSuccess/PeerTutoring/Writing/pdf/style/form al_vs_informal.pdf Writer’s Market (book): Writers-Market-Robert- Brewer/dp/ /ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid = &sr=8-2 Writer’s Market (book): Writers-Market-Robert- Brewer/dp/ /ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid = &sr=8-2http:// Writers-Market-Robert- Brewer/dp/ /ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid = &sr=8-2http:// Writers-Market-Robert- Brewer/dp/ /ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid = &sr=8-2Resources

Any questions about query letters?

In your own professional or academic life, explain when you have used vertical and horizontal communication strategies.

What experience do you have with managing conflict in group settings? Explain a situation and what you did to minimize the conflict.

Looking ahead to Unit 3: Business Writing Reading: Read chapter 4 in your course textbook. Read the following article found in the Kaplan Library: Locker, K. O. (2003). Will professional communication be the death of business communication? Business Communication Quarterly, 66(3), Seminar: How does business writing differ from technical writing or writing in the professions? What seems to be most lucrative work for technical writers in this profession? Explain.

Looking ahead to Unit 3: Business Writing Discussion Board: Part 1: Explore business opportunities. Part 2: Answer one of the nine questions in the prompt as it relates to business writing. Journal Entry: You will choose a topic from a variety of bullets to respond to in relation to the unit’s reading. Your response will be written for others to read and respond to as well.

Feel free to contact me during the week with any questions or concerns. I usually answer all within 24 hours Also I keep my AIM icon on while I grade on Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays. My AIM name is CDanelski2. Chris D. Thanks for attending.