Writing for the Real World

List of contents

Note: Each chapter contains Test Your Understanding" and " Group Project and Writing Activities."
1. Creativity and Originality
Professional Profile: Philip D'Angelo, Graphics Designer
Idea-Generation Strategies
Web Activity: Career Exploration
Readings:
"The Power of Goal Setting," Bobbe Sommer
"A Worn Path," Eudora Welty
2. Vivid Language
Professional Profile: Buffie Buchanan, Registered Nurse
Details
Exact Adjectives
Strong Verbs
Figures of Speech
Precise Word Choices
Web Activity: Learning Styles
Readings:
"Time Flies!" Jerry White
"How to Drive the Stakes Through the Hearts of Time Vampires," Dan S. Kennedy
3. Four Rules for Clear Sentences
Professional Profile: Raul Romero, Construction Superintendent
Rule 1: Use Strong Verbs
Rule 2: Avoid Wordiness
Rule 3: Vary Sentence Length
Rule 4: Adhere to Rules for Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling
Web Activity: Professional Organizations
Readings:
"Talk the Talk," T.J. Saftner
"What Ever Happened to Customer Service?" Ralph Kinney Bennett
4. Complete Paragraphs
Professional Profile: Jamie Johnson, Substance Abuse Counselor
Anticipating the Reader's Questions
Layers of Development
Web Activity: Lifelong Learning
Readings:
"Higher Calling," Osborne Robinson, Jr.
"Winning for Zora," Collin Perry
5. Coherent Paragraphs
Professional Profile: L. Lynn Smith, Interior Designer
Methods of Development
Choosing a Method of Development
Transitions
Web Activity: The Job Search
Readings:
From "Career Intelligence: The Twelve New Rules for Success," Barbara Moses
"Interview Tips and Bloopers," Jean Ann Cantore
6. Cohesive Paragraphs
Professional Profile: Cindy Carswell, Certified Recreation Therapy
Assistant
Types of Noncohesive Paragraphs
Writing Cohesive Paragraphs
Web Activity: Online Writing Labs
Readings:
From "How Technology Will Change the Workplace," Samuel Greengard
"Journey of an E-Mail," John Dyson
7. Organizing Logical Units
Professional Profile: Phyllis Shuping, Buyer
The Thesis Statement
Discovering Categories for Ideas
Using Organizational Markers
Web Activity: Personality Quiz
Readings:
"Study Reveals Six Types of Workers," Cynthia G. Wagner
"Tactics to Tame Tough People," Sandra Crowe
8. Interesting Openings
Professional Profile: Mark Radaskiewicz, Engineering Maintenance
Team Leader
Purposes of the Opening
Web Activity: Leadership Potential
Readings:
"What It Takes to Become a Successful Manager Today," William M. Pride, Robert J. Hughes, and Jack R. Kapoor
"Finding Wisdom on Mount Potosi," Bruce Spotleson
9. Effective Closings
Professional Profile: Russell Barnes, Division Commander
Techniques for Concluding a Composition
Web Activity: Online References
Readings:
"Using the Web to Advance Your Career," John J. Casson
"Small Cubicle Is Closing in at the Office," Lenore Skenazy
10. Confidence and Assertiveness
Professional Profile: Starla Hoke, Paralegal
Communicating Confidently
Web Activity: Grammar
Readings:
"Handle Stress Like an Expert," Megan Othersen Gorman
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work," Richard Carlson
11. Sensitivity and Tact
Professional Profile: John King, Systems Administrator
Match Your Points to Your Reader
Make Concessions
Avoid Offending or Insulting Your Reader
Web Activity: Resources for Business and Technical Writers
Readings:
"Personal Values and Ethical Choices," Barry L. Reece and Rhonda Brandt
"Coping with a Crooked Boss," Anna Mulrine and Joannie M. Schrof
Appendixes
A. Conducting Successful Interviews
B. Preparing Effective Oral Presentations
C. Eleven Serious Errors in English"

About the author

Ann Marie McNeely serves as Dean of the Developmental Education Division of Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, North Carolina, where she teaches developmental writing and study skills courses. She has also worked as a freelance writer and editor in textbook publishing since 2000. Ann Marie has a BA and an MA, both in English, from the University of Central Florida. In addition, she earned her Developmental Education Specialist certification from the Kellogg Institute at Appalachian State University. Her passion is helping students develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills they need to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals. She loves to read, travel, learn, and spend time with her husband and children.

Summary

A paragraph-to-essay level rhetoric, Writing for the Real World focuses on career-related writing since most developmental students are employed in full or part-time jobs. To assimilate key skills, students practice writing single or multi-paragraph letters, memos, summaries, reports, and other forms of workplace and community writing.

Product details

• Authors: Ann Marie Radaskiewicz McNeely, Ann Marie Radaskiewicz, Ann Marie Radaskiewicz McNeely
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2008
• EAN: 9780618047970
• ISBN: 978-0-618-04797-0
• No. of pages: 384
• Subjects: Education and learning > Schoolbooks, general education schools; Humanities, art, music > Education; Non-fiction book > Art, literature > Literature: general, reference works