"Writers plan and write literary or other written work for publication or performance. Writers may create original pieces of written work, which can take the form of poetry, novels, short stories, biographies, plays, or film, radio and television scripts. They may also write for multimedia distribution, such as CD-ROMs and the internet." |
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A writer may perform the following tasks:
- choose themes or subjects for written work, conduct research into the subject, assemble background material and obtain other necessary data
- plan and organise material and write the work
- revise or edit the work, making sure that the style is consistent, there is proper development of the theme, plot and characterisation, and there is correct referencing
- set out the original manuscript so that it is clear and legible (i.e. typed or word processed) and submit the work to a publisher
- work with other specialists, such as scriptwriters, software developers, graphic designers and illustrators, to create multimedia works.
- Writers may specialise in fiction writing; general interest non-fiction; journalism; children's books; educational textbook writing; historical writing and transferring oral histories into written form; corporate or training videos; technical writing; documentation preparation; freelance editorial services; helping others to prepare their manuscript for publication; scriptwriting or playwriting; documentary writing; humour or comedy writing; copywriting; editing text into accessible 'plain English' form; or in writing texts for musical works.
Work may be commissioned by a book or magazine publisher, a theatre, film or television production company, or radio or television station or network. Alternatively, work may be sold by the writer or a literary agent acting on the writer's behalf. Writers often work with visual or performance artists.
In the business environment, writers can work as communication specialists. They may design training seminars or packages, facilitate in workplace discussions, identify problems in documentation and conduct communication audits.
A writer may specialise as a:
Games Designer who develops the concept and gameplay (what the player experiences) for a computer or video game and documents their ideas by writing specifications. This game design is then used to create the game by the game development team. Games designers must have strong writing and storytelling ability. Artistic, programming and multimedia skills are also desirable.
Technical Writer who researches and writes manuals, textbooks, on-line user guides and other information-based material. Technical writers need to understand and explain complex technical information. They may specialise in IT, engineering, finance or help documentation.
Personal Requirements:
- observant and inquisitive approach to people and their environment
- able to think and write creatively and clearly
- excellent understanding of English, particularly grammar and spelling
- concentration, perseverance and dedication.
Graduates develop generic skills in:
- Written expression
- Capacity to analyse and interpret in a dispassionate and objective manner
- Critical thinking
- Knowledge application
- Problem solving
- Computer literacy
- Conceptual ability
- Creative self expression
- Decision making
- Data aquisition and analysis
- Communication
- Research techniques
- Marshalling facts in support of arguments
- Personal growth/critical self awareness
- Understanding of cultural differences
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