What type of writing samples

Butler Pavilion, Room 5th Floor on a map. Back to top. Whether you are applying for a job, internship, or to graduate schools, you may be asked to provide a writing sample. Writing samples allow an employer or graduate program to judge your ability to convey a written message and should be taken seriously.

When choosing a sample, consider the writing style that you will be using at your job, internship, or graduate program. Typical samples include:. Have someone else proofread your writing samples. Sometimes you are so involved in the words that you miss mistakes. This is where your research pays off. Be current. Show diversity in style. Create a pdf and make it look good.

A word document is one thing, but a pdf with some graphic design elements behind it can really polish your words and make them look legitimate. Use the actual publication. If you can, submit the link to your published work.

This adds tons of legitimacy and value to your work. Lean toward the short side of things. This means a 20 -page , in-depth research grant proposal is too much. How about just a sample from that document? Otherwise, try to keep your samples to one page or less. How do you start a writing sample? Pay attention to the tone, style, and reading level of whatever content you would be responsible for writing if hired.

If you are writing a fresh sample based on a prompt, be sure to follow instructions carefully regarding word count, formatting, and topic choice. If you are submitting a portfolio of writing samples, select the ones that best represent your ability to write for this specific employer. Is a writing sample a cover letter? No, a writing sample is not a cover letter. A cover letter is written specifically for a job opportunity and describes your relevant experience and interest in the position.

A cover letter has two topics — you and the company. A writing sample is either an example of your past written work or a document written for the company in response to a prompt.

If the job states that you may only submit published writing samples, you can still attempt to submit a freshly written one. However, that does qualify as failure to follow instructions and is less likely to result in a job offer. Should writing samples be sent as PDFs? Writing samples should be sent in whatever format requested by the employer.

If no format is specified, PDF is a fine option for ensuring that formatting will not change between devices. Sending your sample as a Google doc can also be convenient, as it allows for the employer to write comments directly in the file. How long should a writing sample be? Samples should be concise and succinct: one to four pages are usually sufficient. In many cases, reviewers are primarily interested in how well you convey your ideas structure and grammatical accuracy as opposed to content.

You may provide an excerpt of a longer paper, as long as the excerpt makes sense as a stand-alone document. If your sample is an excerpt of a longer work, be sure to note that on the first page. Can I submit a sample I co-authored? It is best to also include other samples where you are the sole author. Are there any precautions I need to take when submitting samples? However, you may be asked to provide a writing sample, or other examples of your work, for other types of positions.

For example, if you are applying for a position as an executive assistant to the CEO of a Fortune company, and they will need you to write some of their correspondence, your writing skills are key. The employer's goal is to determine whether you have the writing skills they are seeking. Your writing sample may be read for tone and style, as well as for content, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Employer requirements vary as to what is asked for, and when during the application process applicants are asked to submit their sample.

So remember, what you will be asked for depends entirely on the job and the company. The most important consideration when choosing a writing sample should be quality. Make sure the writing is your very best and have it reviewed for content, spelling, and grammar before submitting; carefully proofread your sample.

If you don't have professional writing experience, you may have other options. For example, an academic paper that was well-received by a faculty member will suffice as a sample if you're applying for a job at a university. A published article, either in print or online, is another good option. If you have a blog, feel free to submit your best blog post. If you've written posts on LinkedIn with content that relates to the job, go ahead and use that.

If you're lucky enough to have published articles, especially for media jobs, that will bolster your credentials as a candidate.

Another important factor is relevance. Whenever possible, you should always match the type of writing in your sample to the kind of writing required in your target job. For example, a journalistically styled piece or a press release that tells a story is most suitable for media-related jobs, while an academic paper works best for a research job.

It can also be helpful to supply a sample with content similar to the topics you might be writing about. For example, an analysis of the use of social media to promote products might be useful for a job with a public relations or marketing firm.