Download Writing for the Real World

Marion High School
Mr. Elizardo Hernandez, Principal
Writing f,orh
Real World
"Whett
aml
ever
goingto use this?"
Fortunately, that common teen cornplaint is easy to
answer whenit comes to writing! Witingisn't just
somethingyour child does in school-it\ something
he'll do every day of his adultliJe. Show him why
wntingmatters, andhow tobe abetter wnter,
with these ttps.
The world of writing
Help your teenager make the connection between lwiting
and the things he watches, reads, and does-he'll see that he
is always surrounded by writing.
Who writes?
Basically, everyone. Nurses, lawyers, plumbers, auto
mechanics, police officers, computer programmers, politicians, restaurant owners, social workers, actors, and engineers, to name just a few. Generate interest in writing by
talking to your child about how you wrire on the job (prepare
reports, write sales tickets) or at home (email your sister
overseas, keep a joumal).
ll'-t)
Here's a fun way to show your teen that writing is part
a
of^ every career. Ask, "Can you win a Super Bowl o;y
wrii_
ing?" Then, share this story: Bill Walsh-, who coached
the
San Francisco 49ers from 1979 to 19gg, gave his players
a
written test on each week,s opponent
and the team's game plan. He wrote
the test questions, and the players
wrote out their answers. The team
won lhree Super Bowls.
Watch the credits
Together, pay attention at the beginning or end of TV
shows and movies to see who the writers were. Your high
schooler might notice some of the same people wrote his
favorites. When he reads newspapers, magazines, or online
articles, have him note the byline (the reporter's name)the same thing might happen. Then, when reading books,
encourage him to check the "about the author" section to
Iearn about the writer behind the words.
Keep a list
Suggest that your child list all the types of writing she encounters in a single dalz This may include textbooks, homework
assignments, ads, websites, comics, novels, short stories, poetr)!
newspaperc, magazines,songs, recipes, product instructions,
blogs, social media posts, tweets, text messages, emails, sigrs,
and much more. Point out that they all were written by some6ns-2nd that she even wrote this list!
continued
High School Years
@ 201 5 Resources for Edumtors, a division of CCH lncorporated
Writing for the Real World
Page 2
Types of writing
lnformational writing
In school, your teenager will have assignments for persuasive, explanatory and opinion writing. Suggest that she try
Here's where
Need to explain something?
these versions at home.
Persuasive
your child will
use expository writing-to
present reasons and explana-
tions, give information, or
provide steps in a process,
writing
Writing can change people's view o[ the world. Whether it's
petition, or an email to a teacher
or boss, persuasive writing is one o[ the most common forms
of real-world writing.
a letter to the editor, a school
Tellhow. Whateveryour
teenager is good at, he can
share his expertise by writing a
"how to." For instance, maybe he
knows ice hockey irside and out or he's awbtz at ftxing computers. He might write a hockey guide for his little sister or step-bystep directions for his grandfather on solving a software problem.
Have him start with an outline. Then, he can add details, keeping
in mind that his audience doesnt know the process. Finally he
should follow his own steps to make sure they work.
Opinion writing
Teenagers love to share their opinions. Reviews of movies,
music, books, restaurants, and products are all examples of
opinion writing.
uHere\whatl thbthl' When your high schooler
Be anwincing. Have your teen jot down topics she cares
about. Then, she can pick one and write a persuasive piece convincing someone why she's right. She'll need to make her argument clear, address (and counter) the other side, and end with a
sffong conclusion. For irstance, she mightwrite a letter to the
vice principal lobbying for a new school club or to the local
community center about the need flor more open grrn time.
3. Tailor your content, While it's easier to write a
generic cover letter, it's not as likely to land you the job.
Instead, adapt your letter to the companyshow you've done your homework and
know something about the business.
And remember, you need to say
how you'll help them, not the
other way around!
Cover letters and emails are crucial forms of communicadon for getting and handling intemships, after-school jobs,
and careers. Pass on these strategies to your teenager.
1. Keep it short.
Being concise can make
wridng clearer and increase the chances that
reads a
book, encourage her to rate and review it. The most powerful
opinion pieces get straight to the point, show that the writer
understands the topic, and include details (such as quotes
from the book) that prove her point. Encourage her to post
her review on book sites (ama7on.com, barnesandnoble.com,
goodreads.cora). Users often respond to or rate reviews-so
she'lI get feedback about her opinion piece. Note: For safety
reasons, have her use a "pen name" that doesn't include her
last name or other personal information.
K.9
a
cover letter or email will be read. Limit cover
letters to a few paragraphs-never more
than one page. And make business emails
brief and to the point.
4. Proofread.
Careful reviewing can make the difference
between getting or not getting (or
keeprng or not keeping) a job. With
that in mind, rerriind your teen to proof-
2. Use a professional tone. work
emails are no place for jokes, slang, or gossip. The best way to be respected by other
professionals is to be professional yourself. Tip: Use
a precise subject line that captures the content of your email.
read every piece of writing before she sends it.
Hish School Years
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