Writing, Technically.

Jack Selzer's essay "The Composing Processes of an Engineer" is one of the first extensive analyses concerning the process of Technical Writing in a professional field. As the Introduction to Selzer's composition notes, most research on the procedures of writing well are based on the work of school kids or authors. What Selzer does is highlight a lot of the important groundwork that goes into researching and organizing the appropriate information for professional proposals in a scholastic field. In order to do this effectively, Selzer focused on the work of one particular engineer, Kenneth E. Nelson. Selzer examined the entire procedure in which Nelson was engaged. Selzer analyzed the "jottings, notes, outlines, plans, drafts, and revisions" as well as interviewing Nelson on his process.
I know that Selzer's analysis of Nelson's writing is based on extensive, careful observation, due to the abundance of documented research that Selzer elaborates on in his essay. He breaks down the process of writing technically into the different steps required to bring a final proposal into fruition. I can tell he spent a fair amount of time with Mr. Nelson, based on the information he provides. He explains Nelson's process almost as if he were Nelson. He goes on to emphasize the importance that Nelson places on preparation of the ideas that go into documentation. In fact, by Selzer's recollection, preliminary organization of the final product is a large portion of Nelson's process. Nelson adheres to an outline prior to an actual draft and bases the information he will include on the audience he is writing for. That is one aspect that seems to create success for Nelson, writing for a target audience. Nelson tries to reuse parts of the proposal process again and again, to remain consistent and concise in his readership's eyes.
Since he reuses materials and outlines a great portion of his work, Nelson does not need to do much editing to his final draft, other than a few superficial mistakes. It seems to me that Selzer has shown with his essay not only how to write technically if you are an engineer, but also as a scholar studying technical writing. He seemed to compile a large amount of information regarding the writing procedures of an engineer and outlined that information in a sensible manner. I don't know if Selzer organizes his compositions in the same way as Nelson, but it seems as though he could have done it in a similar regard.

the PoWer of Professional Writing

¡Viva P.W.!
Or so say the students of the Michigan State University Professional Writing Program. It is through the assistance of their website that I am able to understand the various jobs that exist for future professional writers. There is quite a selection of career opportunities waiting out there in the "real world" for those who choose to pursue a career in Professional Writing, whatever their interests might be. A lot of professional fields need the assistance of professional writers: Science, Political Science, Law, Business, Communications, and so on and so forth. In fact, most anything with printed words was probably brought into fruition through the labor of a professional writer. This includes, but is not limited to brochures/pamphlets, newsletters, grants/proposals, websites, research evalutions, manuals, etc. Even fliers or posters are created and edited by writing professional.
In order for one to be a professional writer, he/she need to master the appropriate skills. These skills include but are not limited to problem solving, the knowledge of various computer programs, the ability to work closely with others, and a good comprehension of good writing skills and rhetoric. Because Professional Writing is, of course, a writing profession, writing skills are probably the most important prerequisite. One must be able to practice good research and editing skills. A good sense of audience awareness is also a plus.
I think the diversity that exists in the field of Professional Writing is its most interesting aspect. It seems nice to know that there is not a lot of limitations on what type of work a person can devote themselves to within the profession. I like that someone can choose to work in an environment that is more fun or more serious depending on their personal attitude. I would like to be able to learn the strategies for writing effectively for a specific audience. I need to better understand rhetoric, i think. I am interested in learning all the details that would allow me to write better professionally. All new things I could learn on the subject would be useful.