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Write for Work targets students who need to learn about basic workplace writing, speaking, and job-search skills. From the first chapter—in which students create company profiles that contextualize later writing practice—it is a hands-on, real-life book.
You can get your own hands on the program by reviewing the following resources:
As an instructor using Write for Work, you should choose those parts of the book that promote mastery of the competencies for your particular class. The book is divided into five sections, and you can find chapter-by-chapter support for each section.
- Section I: “Understanding the Basics” (Chapters 1–3) begins by asking students to design their companies. This placement is intentional since it allows class writings that follow to take on real-life energy. Section I also reviews the basics of writing: the writing process, and the seven traits of good writing.
- Section II: “Writing in the Workplace” (Chapters 4–11) presents specific types of workplace writing: forms, e-mail, memos, business letters, summaries, instructions, reports, and proposals.
- Section III: “Communicating in the Workplace” (Chapters 12–16) focuses on oral communications including listening, conflict and criticism, telephone basics, and oral presentations.
- Section IV: “Landing a Job” (Chapters 17–21) guides students through formal career planning and then moves on to job applications, résumés, job-related letters, and interviewing.
- Section V: “Proofreader’s Guide” (Chapters 22–30) addresses punctuation, mechanics, usage, and grammar—including sentence skills and challenges for English language learners. Both explanations and exercises are included. The "Proofreader’s Guide" is cross-referenced throughout the text.
Whichever sections of Write for Work you use, it is the authors’ hope that the material will move your students to a new understanding of the importance of careful writing and speaking in the workplace.