Unit 1 Tutorial

Welcome to Unit 1—Professional Writing Story

So you want to be a writer, huh? Or maybe this class is just a requirement and you’re just trying to pass. Either way, wouldn’t it be easier if you had someone to walk you through it? I know you’re probably swamped with homework, a job, or “extra curriculars" so I’m here to help!

• Start with a sheet of paper and a pen, or your laptop and Word document for you tech-savvy environmentalists.
• Jot down the first three things that come to mind when I say “What Do You Care About?”
• Got ‘em? Now, ask yourself “Should others care about these topics as well?” All topics that receive a “no” answer should be crossed off the list, and you should pat yourself on the back for being so unique in your interests!
• Take the remaining topics and make a list for each answering the following question: “Why should others care?” You’ll probably find that these are the same reasons why you care.

Pretty simple so far right? Take a moment to shake it out and get focused; it’s time to tell a story.

Now, if your first thoughts when you saw “story” involved anything along the lines of beginning… middle… end or Hansel and Gretel, go back to that shaking and focusing thing.

Ready for real now? Ok, pick one topic from your list to write about.

The number one thing to keep in mind is that, despite how talented you think you are or aren’t at storytelling, you do it daily, multiple times even. Remember that crazy night last week? Did you tell someone about it? What about the next day when you told your professor or boss you were “coming down with something” and wouldn’t make it in that day? See? You are a great storyteller! (And liar.)

Number two is that no one wants to listen to someone who knows everything or only talks to hear the sound of his or her own voice. Be creative, don’t be afraid to sound stupid, and, most importantly, be a good listener! Stories come from experiences and you’ll never experience anything worth telling if you think you already know everything.

So, make up a story that draws your audience in or recall a personal experience. The idea is to give your listeners an experience as if it were their own, in order to motivate them to care about whatever it is you’re writing about-- all in a story that can be told in two minutes or less. Get those juices flowing and don’t forget to post to your blog!

Once you’ve completed your story, it might be beneficial to have someone read it over—be it a friend, classmate, professor, whomever. Feedback and constructive criticism are huge elements of writing so review carefully and update your writing accordingly.

Now comes the fun part! This is multimedia writing so you need to transform your story from the boring essay format it’s currently in to an engaging experience. 

• Add picture, videos, and links. 
• Play with font sizes to create a hierarchy of importance within the story. 
• Add color, special characteristics, whatever it takes. 

Make your story something that you would personally be interested in at least skimming through!

Throw everything you’ve written in this process into a folder to submit, including a printed copy of the final PWS.

Congrats! You made it through Unit 1!