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Tag: writing sample

  • Writing Sample Examples: How To Make Each One Count

    Writing Sample Examples: How To Make Each One Count

    Regardless of what type of writer you are, you are bound to come across times you will need to submit relevant writing sample examples. Whether you need a writing sample to include with a book proposal to a publisher, you are crafting a writing sample to apply for a job, or you are sending writing sample examples for a graduate school application, it is an art to be able to write the perfect piece when it counts.

    So what distinguishes the great writing sample examples from mediocre ones that get passed over? And what are some easy-to-use tips specific to these different types of writing sample examples?

    Writing Sample Examples Fundamentals: Do’s and Don’ts

    DO…

    • Do… read prompts thoroughly. While this is may seem obvious, many people glaze over the instructions and just start writing, potentially missing key elements of the prompt. Look for any information about the tone, the subject matter, and the word length. 
    • Do… write for your audience. The prompt you get may or may not be very detailed. Keep in mind you are not only writing to show your knowledge on a topic, but also to show you can write for the appropriate audience.
    • Do…proofread thoroughly. Any typos or grammatical errors will only detract from your finished work. We highly recommend you use a grammar checker, like ProWritingAid or Grammarly.

    DON’T…

    • Don’t write too little or too much. If you are given a word count, there is a reason for that word count. A 1,200-1,500 word article will require more detail and organization than a 500-word article. Make sure you outline and prepare your article and research to fit the word count. The Article Outline Template can help with this.
    • Don’t use an article you wrote for something else if you are asked to write an original piece. This is an example for you to show how your writing fits the qualifications. 
    • Don’t forget what your goal is. Keep your desired outcome front and center when you are crafting these writing sample examples. Your goal is to write a piece that fits the goal and delights the reader. 
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    Writing Sample Examples: For Job Applications

    When a potential employer is asking for writing sample examples, they are trying to gauge not only your style of writing, but also trying to pick up on key details about who you will be as an employee.

    Potential employers are generally interested in your attention to detail, your ability to follow directions and meet deadlines, your willingness to go above and beyond, and also your understanding of the company and their audience. 

    Checklist for Writing Sample Examples for Job Applications:

    • Read the instructions thoroughly. First, read for the basic idea of the prompt and then read a second time to take notes of everything you need to do to complete the prompt successfully. 
    • Research the company. Find their mission statement, their “about us” section, and understand not only what they do but also what their values are. Take a few minutes to read how they write on their blog, how they represent themselves on social media, and who they are on their website. 
    • Understand not only their brand but also look at who their audience is. Depending on what type of writing you are asked to do, make sure you take what you know about the company into consideration when you write and write for the appropriate audience. 
    • Proofread more than you normally would. That means not only proofread as you go, but read your writing sample examples several times both in your head and aloud so you can correct typos and catch any issues with phrasing or tone.

    Writing Sample Examples: For Freelance Writing Gigs

    Unlike the writing sample examples you’d write for job applications, the types of writing sample examples you include might be a bit different if you are trying to specifically land freelance writing gigs. 

    The editor might give you a prompt and ask you to write a piece for their audience to gauge how you will write for their site. The editor might also ask for recent examples of work you’ve published for other sites. Make sure you clearly understand what they are looking for and include any relevant information. 

    • For writing examples that have been published, include the link to the site. 
    • If you know any details of positive reactions to the article feel free to include that. 
    • Include writing examples that resonate with the same audience as the writing gig you are interested in. For example, if you are looking to write legal research pieces, include a similarly research-heavy piece you’ve written as opposed to a blog you wrote for a parenting website. 

    If you are crafting new writing examples for their blog as a trial article, 

    • make sure you clearly understand the blog and the assignment. 
    • Ask for any guides on their voice, tone, and other publication guidelines. 
    • Format your article for SEO as much as you are able. Remember to organize your subsections using H2 and H3, include your keywords in your headers and throughout the body, and space out your article to make it easier to read online. 
    • If you need more help with your SEO basics – check out our article SEO Writing Explained. There is also a course available from one of our partners at the SEO Content Institute. You can find more info by clicking the image below.

    Writing Sample Examples: For a Book Proposal

    When writing a book proposal to an agent or a book publisher, you do not usually send the manuscript in its entirety. 

    Instead, you will need to include in your proposal a lot of information. You will need to share a little about who you are as an author, who are your readers, a summary of the book, an outline of the book and also writing sample examples from the book itself.

    Checklist for writing sample examples from your book for book proposals:

    • Follow the submission guidelines for the agent or publisher. If you don’t have any submission guidelines, feel free to reach out and ask how they would like to receive your book proposal. For example, some agents and publishers have strong preferences over receiving submissions electronically versus in the mail. 
    • Include a self-addressed envelope if they ask for it and you are expecting to receive the proposal back. However, many publishers receive too many submissions to return proposals. 
    • Include at least two chapters of your book. If your chapters are short, consider adding a third. You should include enough of the book that the reader understands the flow of the book, gets a taste of the characters, and wants to read more. 
    • Proofread your chapters thoroughly. Even if your book has not reached the final stages of the editing process, you should not have any glaring grammar or punctuation errors. While you might still be refining the content, the chapters should be edited thoroughly. Don’t let anything detract from the chapters you submit.
    • Generally don’t include the introduction, first chapter or final chapter. These chapters can feel too introductory or else too final. Instead, include chapters that are compelling, feature memorable scenes, and draw you immediately to the heart of the action. 

    For more help writing book proposals, check out these great resources:

    Writing Sample Examples: For Graduate School Applications

    Graduate school applications include a variety of information, some that you control and some that you can’t by the time you are applying. Even with less than stellar grades, you can still win over a potential school by including stellar writing sample examples. 

    So what is important to include in these applications?

    Checklist for Writing Sample Examples for graduate school applications:

    • Follow the writing prompts. This seems too simple of a direction, but truly one of the keys to writing well is to read the details and write to the prompt. Stay within the guidelines you are given for word length and formatting.
    • Remember your audience. Writing for a college application is different than blog or website copy. If you are not currently in school and writing in an academic style, spend time reading other successful writing sample examples to get in that mode. 
    • Choose a topic that gets you excited. Universities are looking for not only people that are an asset to the university academically but also someone that enriches the student body. Feel free to let yourself shine and include your passions, your goals, and anything else that adds to who you are and will be as a student. 
    • Proofread. At this point, proofreading should be second nature, but don’t get caught up in the details of the application and forget to proofread. Have a trusted friend or advisor read your writing sample examples for a second opinion. 

    That’s a Wrap

    Remember that with careful attention to detail, research and proofreading, you can create writing sample examples that help open doors and get you to where you want to go in life. 

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  • What is A Writing Sample? 7 Simple Steps to Create Yours

    What is A Writing Sample? 7 Simple Steps to Create Yours

    There are a lot of reasons a writer will need to create a writing sample. You might be applying for a job, trying to land a freelance client, or simply creating a portfolio to showcase your skills.

    A good writing sample can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace and give you a real shot. It’s not something you want to treat lightly and you’ll want to make sure you put your best foot forward every time you put one together.

    No matter what kind of writing you choose to do with your career, you’ll always need to be able to showcase your work and show your talent.

    We’ll go over what writing samples are, why you might need to craft one, and the best ways to go about writing one.

    What is a writing sample?

    For the most part, you will see requests for writing samples for jobs where you will be writing often such as blog writing, journalism, internships, public relations, or research positions. It gives employers a good idea of your writing skills and overall tone.

    Writing samples can be anywhere from a few sentences to a few pages, depending on what is required. Sometimes writing samples are paid but often they’re not.

    While they can be time-consuming, a successful writing sample can make you stand out from other applicants.

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      Why do you need a writing sample?

      You’ll often see writing samples with specific writing requirements, formatting, and topics for job applications. You will see them in both traditional jobs and also for freelance writing jobs.

      Sometimes, you’ll need to craft a writing sample from scratch with set guidelines or you might be able to send in previous things you’ve written.

      Writing samples can sometimes also be interchangeable with your writing portfolio as well. Not every job application will require a unique writing sample, sometimes they just simply want to see your past work.

      In that case, you’ll want to pick the most relevant samples from your portfolio to represent your writing.

      Once they see your writing style, they will be able to see if you’re a good fit for the position.

      However, they may choose to have you create a new writing sample from scratch, and let’s go over what you need to keep in mind before writing one.

      writing sample

      What others are looking for in your writing sample

      No matter what you’re using a writing sample for, you must make sure it is as error-free as possible.

      The top thing that will disqualify you as an applicant is having a writing sample with a ton of grammatical errors, typos, or ignoring the guidelines they gave you.

      Potential employers or clients want to see that you know what you’re doing and leaving in errors shows that you don’t pay attention to the small details. With any submission you make, you need to take the time to go through it and check all of your sentences to make sure there aren’t any issues.

      Not only do you need to make sure there aren’t errors in your writing, but you also need to make sure that you’re following every single instruction in the guidelines.

      Your writing sample will also show your overall writing style and if you can match the tone or voice they need.

      Clients or employers will often give you some information about their target audience, but if not, you can search their website or social media for a general idea on the tone they want from their publication.

      How to craft a writing sample

      If you’re putting together a unique writing sample for a specific job, or you’re putting together some general samples for your portfolio, this will guide you through the steps from start to finish.

      #1 – Know your guidelines

      If there are specific requirements for the sample, such as word count or formatting options, you’ll need to follow them exactly.

      However, if you’re just creating some general writing samples, you’ll want to make your own guidelines. Some examples could be a specific type of writing, such as blog writing, and in a certain industry. 

      Rarely will employers or anyone else want to see random writing samples from your personal journals, unless you’re trying to sell something such as a memoir. Keep your samples focused and relevant.

      #2 – Have a clear idea for success

      Once you know your guidelines, you need to know what the ultimate goal of your writing sample is. It might be to showcase your writing style, depth of research, or convince someone to pick you.

      For example, if you’re simply creating writing pieces for your portfolio, you should know what industry and type of writing you want to do. That way, you know that your pieces need to reflect those skills to the best of your current ability.

      If you’re creating a writing sample for a potential new position, you also need to know what success looks like in your sample. What would make you feel confident that you’re giving them everything they’re looking for?

      If you don’t know what success looks like with your writing samples, you can always look through content that the company already published. That will give you an idea of what they look for and approve of on their team.

      #3 – Know your intended audience

      When it comes to writing your writing sample, you’ll want to keep your audience in mind while you craft your submission.

      Knowing who you are writing to, whether it’s for blog posts or B2B marketing, you need to make sure you’re using language that is targeted toward that audience. The last thing you want to do is write to the wrong audience with your writing sample and disqualify yourself as a writer.

      You want to always make sure you’re using the same language as your intended audience. If they use technical language, you’ll want to include some. If it’s on the simple side, you’ll want to make sure your writing isn’t too complex.

      #4 – Look at other samples online

      If you get stuck during your writing process, it might help to do more research and see what other people are creating in the industry you’re writing about.

      This can help you understand what you need to publish and can help guide your tone or choice of words. You will be able to tell if your writing blends in with other work in this industry or not.

      #5 – Edit your work

      As mentioned above, you’ll want to make sure your writing sample doesn’t have any errors. You will want to check it for grammar issues, typos, or any parts that don’t flow well.

      We recommend ProWritingAid and Grammarly.

      If you submit a piece with tons of spelling errors, there is a good chance your application will be immediately discarded. Making sure your sample doesn’t have any errors is far more important than making it have the perfect tone.

      Tone and voice are things that can be refined with time, but basic grammar errors are often something they won’t take the time to teach you. They expect you to know those rules already.

      Editing your writing sample also means going through the guidelines one more time to make sure you didn’t miss any required parts.

      #6 – Stand out from the other applications

      One thing you might consider doing with your sample is to include a few sentences explaining why you wrote your sample the way you did.

      Instead of just a simple sample, you’re giving them a deeper understanding of how you approach writing. You can explain what you did for research and why you used the words you did.

      #7 – Submit your writing sample

      You will need to know the exact type of format you need to submit your writing sample. Some places are fine with newer options such as Google Docs, but more traditional places may want Microsoft Word or even printed versions of your writing samples.

      What to do next

      Download the Pitch Checklist and start submitting your writing samples.

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