General Features of Academic Writing
may need to communicate with internal staff
It uses formal language.
It is precise.
It can either be objective or subjective
depending on the type of writing.
It is explicit.
It may contain jargon.
It cites sources.
Considerations in Academic Writing The content
determines the value of academic writing. The
basic format of academic writing is composed of
an introduction, body, and conclusion. The
language and style of academic writing should
be clear, precise, and coherent. Citations are
important in academic writing.
Professional Writing: Purpose, Audience, and
Aspects
Professional writing is writing in the workplace.
It is a discourse wherein one communicates to
enable and support the work of a business or
workplace context.
Professional writing may have the following
purposes: to inform or share information with
its audience and to persuade or build goodwill
with the audience.
Aspects of Professional Writing
When creating professional writings, the
following aspects must be given utmost
importance:
1) Purpose- refers to the goal you want to
achieve in writing the professional text.
2) Audience: Who will read the document?
Always be aware of the readers of your
professional text. The information exchange
within a workplace can have a huge impact on
its readers. Be careful of sharing information
that is not necessary.
3) Stakeholders: Who will benefit from the
document? Who may be affected by it?
Operating in a workplace context means you
including entry-level, management-level, and
upper-management-level staff
4) Context: What is the background of the
document? What specific situation prompts an
individual to write it?
There are many different contexts you might
find yourself in when you are in a
workplace.Determining the context of a
professional text will help you produce
meaningful and purposeful messages.
Formats of Professional Writing
1) Business letter- It is written in formal
language and style and usually on stationery
that includes the official letterhead of a
company.
2) Memorandum or memo- It is usually a brief
message sent to the concerned personnel to
inform them about any new information, such
as a change in policy or procedure.
3) Business proposal- This written document
contains a plan or a suggestion for developing a
product, service, or action that can address a
client’s problem or issue.
4) Résumé- A résumé lists the person’s
educational attainment and work experience.
General Features of Professional Writing
It generally uses formal language.
It is concise and precise.
It can use either the first-, second-, or third-
person point of view.
It often uses the active voice.
It uses a direct, objective, but respectful tone.
It uses both persuasive and informative
strategies.
Considerations in Professional Writing
The purpose of writing in any profession should
be clear.
The audience should always be considered.
WRITING FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION, READING
AND WRITING SKILLS
The Purpose of College Admission Writing
Writing for college admission typically involves
creating a résumé, a letter, and an essay, to
persuade the reader, the admission officer in
particular. Your writing will allow the officer to
get to know you better as a person, which is not
evident from your grades or exam scores.
The Audience of College Admission Writing
Who will be reading these college applications?
Well, it depends. It could be a university
admissions officer or the actual department
head of the course you want to enter.
Keep in mind that they will most likely be
looking for applicants who will be able to:
succeed in their chosen program,
contribute positively to the educational
experience of their peers, and bring honor to
the college or university and be a
productivemember of society upon graduating.
The College Admission Letter
Purposes of a College Admission Letter
A college admission letter is written by students
for the following purposes:
to express their main reason for choosing a
certain school for college; and to persuade the
admissions committee that they are a good fit
for the school.
FEATURES OF A COLLEGE ADMISSION LETTER
HEADING
DATE OF THE LETTER
INSIDE ADDRESS
SALUTATION
BODY
SIGNATURE
TIPS FOR WRITING A COLLEGE ADMISSION
LETTER
BE HONEST AND SINCERE IN TELLING YOUR
REASON FOR CHOOSING THE SCHOOL. AVOID
SUPERLATIVES.
TELL YOUR STORY IN AN INTERESTING MANNER.
WRITE SPECIFIC DETAILS.
CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WELL.
REVISE AND PROOFREAD YOUR LETTER.
The College Résumé
A college résumé is a summary of a student’s
accomplishments in high school. It shows the
reader the achievements and activities of the
student in a nutshell.
Features of a College Resume
Heading
Education
Honors, awards, and special recognition
Extracurricular activities
Community activities
Employment
Interests and other activities
TYPES OF RÉSUMÉS
CHRONOLOGICAL RÉSUMÉ – THIS PRESENTS A
JOB APPLICANT’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
FUNCTIONAL RÉSUMÉ – THIS RÉSUMÉ
PRESENTS THE JOB APPLICANT’S PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE BY HIS OR HER MAJOR SKILLS. IT
INCLUDES A JOB OBJECTIVE AND A SECTION
CALLED A SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS.
COMBINATION RÉSUMÉ – THIS RÉSUMÉ
COMBINES THE MOST USEFUL FEATURES OF
THE CHRONOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL
RÉSUMÉS. IT INCLUDES THE SECTION’S
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS, SPECIAL SKILLS,
AND HIGHLIGHTS.
THE COVER LETTER: PURPOSE AND FEATURES
A cover letter is a letter of application. Through
this letter, the job applicant promotes himself
or herself to the employer by mentioning his or
her valuable characteristics and requests an
interview. Employers use cover letters to screen
applicants for a certain job. Features of a Cover
Letter

Return address

Date of the letter

Inside address

Salutation

Body

Complimentary close

Signature

Enclosure line

To be able to write an effective and professional

cover letter, certain guidelines should be
followed. Some of them are the following:

Research the company that posted the job

advertisement.

Compose brief and concise paragraphs in the

body of the letter.

Write in formal language.

Do not forget to enclose or attach your résumé

if you are sending the cover letter with it.