Memo: Who teaches professional writing?
To: Nathanial Rivers and English 306
From: Kaye Maloney
Date: January 27, 2008

Introduction

Professional Writing is an area of English that continues to change. In the book, “Professional Writing and Rhetoric,” it is clear in the introduction that the field has changed over time. The introduction and first few chapters are devoted to defining Professional Writing. The book says as technology developed a need for communicators who could help people use the technology arose. The book also gives the impression that as this was happening a need for communication media came about, opening up a wide variety of occupations for the professional writer. I found this to be the case after talking with Jaclyn Wells, who has taught professional writing classes at Purdue and is working on her masters in rhetoric and composition. From talking with Wells, I gained a perspective on professional writing as a career and more about what the major entails.

Background

For many students who have professional writing as a major, they study another area also. Wells said many professional writers work on web design, write grants or become technical writers. Technical writers have to earn a degree in whichever area they want to work in. She said they also do a lot of visual work, like pamphlets and innovative ways to present information. In Wells’ case, she is working towards her masters in rhetoric and composition and professional writing is one of the areas that falls under that category. In order to complete her masters, she learned how to teach English 106, run programs, and teach writing to students who come from various curriculums. When Wells graduates, she hopes to work for a writing program as an administrator.

Wells also talked about the various topics students learn about for the professional writing major. She said students can learn about new media and multimedia, and how they are related to English. She students are also exposed to how decisions are made through decision architecture. Wells explained new media by telling me about a class she took that dealt with it. She said the class was about how to teach with new media. The class discussed what the benefits were for teaching with video games. The class also talked about technology people can’t live without and how their dependence on it changes the way we think or live. Wells also said that the class talked about persuasion what is most effective with it, a website, a speech or a book. Many topics people don’t consider to be English, come out in the area of professional writing.

Perspective on Professional Writing

Wells described professional writing as any written communication. She said this ranges from e-mails, business proposals, letters or e-mails to clients, or anything that involves communication in a business setting. She also said that most people do not call themselves professional writers and many people do it every day but don’t realize it. Wells explained to me how professional writing is a new field and it is typically only offered at larger universities – she went to a small liberal arts college that did not have it.

Conclusion

After speaking with Wells about professional writing, I understand why it continues to change – it is an area of English that revolves around technology. It seems to me that there will always be a need for people to communicate information in the most effective ways no matter how society changes. If we don’t communicate with each other, we know that bad incidents can result – whether they are life threatening or not. Communication is key in any field of work.

Interview Questions

-How would you explain professional writing to someone who has no concept or idea of what it is?
-What kinds of areas have you worked in?
-What kinds of opportunities are available to professional writing majors?
-What are the different areas of professional writing?
-Where do you want to work with your degree?
-How has professional writing changed?
-How does media affect professional writing?