Additional Materials:
Business Letter:
2041 West Wells Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233
September 3, 2013
Dr. Beth Godbee
Professor
Marquette University
Dear Beth:
Every semester brings a new set of classes, and with them a new chance to develop skills. I am particularly excited for this class, however, because of the opportunity to engage in an entirely new field of writing, specifically a field of writing that I will most likely interact with on a daily basis after graduation. Writing for the Professions, for me, is a chance to find my professional voice and learn how to use it to the best of my abilities.
In the past I have taken several writing-intensive courses at Marquette. These classes include Advanced Composition, with a focus in digital communication; Learning to Write, a class devoted to the study of rhetorical education in Western society; and Creative Writing-Poetry. Although these classes did help me to develop my professional voice, particularly in digital and social media, writing for the professions was not their main focus. Consequently, I would like to use this class as an opportunity to explore the limits of professional writing and to further develop a voice that will be useful in the workplace.
At the moment, I am most concerned with clarifying what is expected from writing in the professional world. What tone should I develop? What level of brevity is expected? How intimately should I address the audience, if at all? I understand that there is a level of flexibility in professional writing, but I hope that participation in this course will help me to learn how to adjust to fit a large number of professional audiences and duties.
Because this is my best chance at Marquette to develop these skills in a classroom environment, my goal for this class is to actively participate in class activities, and learn as much as possible from our weekly professional speakers. Additionally, I would like to discover through my work what I can offer the professional world as a writer, and how to apply this knowledge.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Murphy
Marquette University Student
2041 West Wells Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233
September 3, 2013
Dr. Beth Godbee
Professor
Marquette University
Dear Beth:
Every semester brings a new set of classes, and with them a new chance to develop skills. I am particularly excited for this class, however, because of the opportunity to engage in an entirely new field of writing, specifically a field of writing that I will most likely interact with on a daily basis after graduation. Writing for the Professions, for me, is a chance to find my professional voice and learn how to use it to the best of my abilities.
In the past I have taken several writing-intensive courses at Marquette. These classes include Advanced Composition, with a focus in digital communication; Learning to Write, a class devoted to the study of rhetorical education in Western society; and Creative Writing-Poetry. Although these classes did help me to develop my professional voice, particularly in digital and social media, writing for the professions was not their main focus. Consequently, I would like to use this class as an opportunity to explore the limits of professional writing and to further develop a voice that will be useful in the workplace.
At the moment, I am most concerned with clarifying what is expected from writing in the professional world. What tone should I develop? What level of brevity is expected? How intimately should I address the audience, if at all? I understand that there is a level of flexibility in professional writing, but I hope that participation in this course will help me to learn how to adjust to fit a large number of professional audiences and duties.
Because this is my best chance at Marquette to develop these skills in a classroom environment, my goal for this class is to actively participate in class activities, and learn as much as possible from our weekly professional speakers. Additionally, I would like to discover through my work what I can offer the professional world as a writer, and how to apply this knowledge.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Murphy
Marquette University Student
Uline Writing Test for Interview
The following is a test administered by Uline to its internship applicants to test their ability to condense information. Consequently, it defines Writing for the Professions, in part, as a concise and clear medium.
Instructions:
"Please summarize the following paragraph, focusing on key points.
In 1980, after recognizing a local need for a shipping supply distributor, Liz and Dick Uihlein started Uline from the basement of their house. Their first product, after much consideration, was the H-101 carton sizer, which is still offered today. The H-101 carton sizer sold far beyond their expectations and encouraged Liz and Dick Uihlein to add more products to the Uline catalog the following year. Uline has steadily grown since 1980 and continues to be a family owned and run business. The Uline product line has expanded to include industrial and packaging materials, including over 1,200 corrugated box sizes alone. The 500+ page Uline catalog reaches many different businesses nationwide, offering over 27,500 products with quick delivery. Today, with over 3,000 employees nationwide, Uline has distribution centers near Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Allentown, PA; Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; Dallas, TX; Seattle, WA; Toronto, Ontario; Tijuana, Mexico and Monterrey, Mexico."
"Please summarize the following paragraph, focusing on key points.
In 1980, after recognizing a local need for a shipping supply distributor, Liz and Dick Uihlein started Uline from the basement of their house. Their first product, after much consideration, was the H-101 carton sizer, which is still offered today. The H-101 carton sizer sold far beyond their expectations and encouraged Liz and Dick Uihlein to add more products to the Uline catalog the following year. Uline has steadily grown since 1980 and continues to be a family owned and run business. The Uline product line has expanded to include industrial and packaging materials, including over 1,200 corrugated box sizes alone. The 500+ page Uline catalog reaches many different businesses nationwide, offering over 27,500 products with quick delivery. Today, with over 3,000 employees nationwide, Uline has distribution centers near Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Allentown, PA; Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; Dallas, TX; Seattle, WA; Toronto, Ontario; Tijuana, Mexico and Monterrey, Mexico."
RESULT:
Uline’s Beginnings:
-Filled local need for shipping supply distributor in 1980
-Success of first product prompted expansion of catalogue and company
Uline’s Values:
-Family owned and operated
-Employs over 3,000 Americans
What Uline Offers:
-Over 27,500 products
-shipping supplies (industrial and non-industrial)
-packaging materials
-Quick, nationwide delivery
-Ten distribution centers in strategic locations
Uline’s Beginnings:
-Filled local need for shipping supply distributor in 1980
-Success of first product prompted expansion of catalogue and company
Uline’s Values:
-Family owned and operated
-Employs over 3,000 Americans
What Uline Offers:
-Over 27,500 products
-shipping supplies (industrial and non-industrial)
-packaging materials
-Quick, nationwide delivery
-Ten distribution centers in strategic locations