RWS Finals

• Purposeful Writing

  1. Aimed mostly at various professions in Academic Writing

  2. Backed by research, critical in nature, and usually targets a well-informed group

  3. Presented in a not so formal manner to increase clarity while firmly staying objective
• A writer's purpose is a consideration of what the author was intending when they wrote the text and how they wanted their reader to feel or react
• Purposes of Writing

  • Technical Writing
  • Literary Writing
  • Business Writing
• Purposes of Writing: To Inform

  • To instruct
  • To educate
  • To update
  • To convey a point of view
• Purposes of Writing: To Entertain

  • To make the audience laugh
  • To make them cry
  • To relax
  • To provide an overall enjoyable reading experience
• Purposes of Writing: To Persuade


  • To anger
  • To inspire
  • To rally
  • To achieve a desired outcome
  • To evoke guilt
• Academic vs Professional Writing (Similarities)

  • Includes writing by people who need to communicate academic, professional, and technical information
  • Includes various types of documents such as reports, summaries, papers, and presentations
  • Must be free from errors to avoid distraction to the readers
• Academic vs Professional Writing (Differences)

  • Academic Writing is typically a research or knowledge paper to increase understanding of a subject area
  • Professional Writing communicates a message that will influence actions or opinions on a subject
  • Academic Writing is longer with added opinions and linking words, while Professional Writing is more concise and focused on hard facts
• Academic vs Professional Writing (Audience)

  • Academic Writing audience likely has knowledge of the area being written about
  • Professional Writing audience consists of multiple parties with differing knowledge levels, views, and attention spans
• Layout, Tone and Style: Academic Writing

  • Visual is important but not as important as Professional Writing
  • Lengthy paragraphs
  • Wide range of vocabulary
  • Inquiring tone
• Layout, Tone and Style: Professional Writing

  • Strong document structure to allow readers to skim read
  • Simple words, short sentences, and paragraphs
  • Tone should reflect the message trying to be portrayed
• Formats of Academic Writing

  • Abstract or Articles
  • Books and Book reports
  • Conference Paper
  • Thesis
  • Essay
• Formats of Professional Writing

  • Letters
  • Memos
  • Business email
  • Executive Summaries
  • Resume Writing
• Writing a Research Report

  1. Introduction

  2. Findings

  3. Conclusions

  4. Recommendation
• Writing a Project Proposal

  1. Executive Summary

  2. History

  3. Requirements

  4. Introduction

  5. Purpose/Need/Rationale

  6. Project Description

  7. Support/Budget

  8. Contact Information
• Writing a Position Paper

  1. Introduction

  2. Body

  3. Conclusion
• Writing a Resume

  Types of Resume: Chronological, Functional, Combination, Targeted
• Chronological Resume


  List each job held in order, starting with the most recent. Highlights stable employment record. Employers like to see job titles, level of responsibility, and date of work history
• Functional Resume

  Best when you have too little or too much experience. Focuses on skills and strengths significant to employers. Allows you to highlight particular strengths and transferable skills
• Combination Resume

  Balances the flexibility and strength of a chronological and functional resumes. Indicates a strong employment record with increasing mobility. Highlights transferrable skills
• Cover Letter

  Also known as an application letter. Goes together with a resume or a curriculum vitae. Tips in writing: Market yourself, Convey why you want to attend, Clarify that you have something unique to offer, Proofread your letter