Writing Proficiency:
Fernando Flores once said, “When people communicate, they don’t simply pass information back and forth. They get things done, sharing interpretations and making commitments that change the status of their work, their world and their future,” (in Zaiss, 2002, p. 61). And Fernando Flores isn't the only person who recognizes the importance of communication and its potential impact for change. Western Washington University requires that each graduate from the university become proficient in five voices of writing, those voices include academic, professional, creative, reflective and advocacy. Writing proficiency skills are a significant part of effective communication and subsequently a tool for creating change - the aim of every human service professional.
As aforementioned, the first writing voice is academic. The academic voice is formal and is supported by logic and evidence such as research and data. Also, academic voice follows the writing conventions of its discipline. In the case of human services this style follows the American Psychological Association (APA). Use of APA formatting creates uniformity and heightened professionalism in the field of human services. In HSP 485, Program Planning and Evaluation, I conducted a needs assessment of human trafficking. I described my research and what I saw as opportunities for solutions based on best practices. Logic and evidence, key components of academic writing, were crucial to a needs assessment that was both reasonable and understandable. A needs assessment requires an explanatory logical process in order for it to be effective. Also, in HSP 385, Applied Research Methods, I wrote a literature review on the effects of income on child development. A piece of writing such as this is based entirely on research and requires that the writer use research and data to support their claims. As it says in the title of the essay, it is a review of existing literature on an issue such as research, reports, articles and data.
Professional writing is used to interact with clients, colleagues and coworkers. Examples of professional writing amongst human service professionals include case notes, confidentiality forms, conferences, meeting minutes and collaboration notes. HSP 345, Case Management, covered theory related to professional writing such as intakes, case notes, confidentiality and collaboration. In this course I created an example intake outline that highlighted various aspects of the intake process. During my internship at Love INC I completed nearly 50 client intakes. During my time at the Bellingham Boys and Girls Club I wrote a professional letter requesting support for our fundraiser and while I was interning at the Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic I created and outlined an expanded marketing strategy. It is especially important to remember to use professional writing in the right context. Using a writing voice that is not professional in a professional setting is unprofessional and may cause the community, donors or colleagues to view the writer as untrained or unqualified. There is a certain level of professionalism expected within the human services sector and this writing voice helps to make sure this is achieved.
A creative writing voice expresses the original ideas and work of the author and often evokes emotion from the reader. While the creative writing style may not be the most prevalent within the human services profession it certainly has its place, especially in regards to self-expression. I used a creative voice in HSP 301, Personal Systems, when I wrote the short essay, This I Believe. Using this voice for this essay I was able to express my personal ideas and experiences about frustrating situations and the healing power that laughter has over so many of them. I think that my use of the creative voice helped the reader feel what I was feeling during the experiences I shared. This writing voice may be most appropriate on the program level of an organization, especially if the target audience is children. Demonstrated creative writing and expression can help children see and experience appropriate responses to how they are feeling. Again, creative writing can be useful for several purposes when used within the appropriate context.
As outlined in the Student Guide to Capstone Portfolio, reflection is a critical component of the adult learning process. It is therefore fitting that the reflective voice and style is one that is utilized and practiced often within the Human Services Program. When an individual uses the reflective voice they are able to consider their experiences alongside their knowledge and create new understanding in the process. Reflection was a critical component of every internship experience. In HSP 341, Practicum and Seminar II, and HSP 440, Internship and Seminar I & II, I had the opportunity to write several reflections. For HSP 341, Practicum and Seminar II, I wrote a reflection of my internship experiences at the Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic (WCPC Final Reflection). In HSP 440, Internship and Seminar I, I reflected on my time at the Bellingham Boys and Girls Club in my essay, BGC Final Assessment. And in HSP 440, Internship and Seminar II, I reflected on my experiences at Love INC in Love INC Reflection. In this essay I wrote, “As I force myself to really reflect upon this last quarter I realize that I have gained exactly what this blessing offers; that is a discomfort about half-truths, anger at injustice, tears for those who suffer from starvation and rejection and enough foolishness to believe that I really can be a part of changing the world in ways that most people think is impossible.” Reflection, more than being a type of writing, is an opportunity to add new learning to our experiences and I plan to continue to utilize reflection as a strategy for change in this world.
Advocacy writing, also commonly referred to as persuasive writing, is used to influence another person’s ideas or opinions. Within human services advocacy writing is often used to influence voters, policy makers and or administrators. In HSP 404, Community Systems, I created a legislative Fact Sheet that outlined the reasons that the legislators should approve SB 5646 and HB 1811 in order to remove barriers that prevent clients from being placed into appropriate housing as quickly as necessary. When a human services professional is working with macro level issues and trying to enact change on the state or national level, then this type of writing voice is especially necessary and effective.
As I move into my career as a human service professional I will take advantage of what I have learned about writing voices and their effectiveness within various contexts. What I have learned about the significance and influence of communication reinforces the importance of using academic, professional, creative, reflective and advocacy voices as tools for communication.
As aforementioned, the first writing voice is academic. The academic voice is formal and is supported by logic and evidence such as research and data. Also, academic voice follows the writing conventions of its discipline. In the case of human services this style follows the American Psychological Association (APA). Use of APA formatting creates uniformity and heightened professionalism in the field of human services. In HSP 485, Program Planning and Evaluation, I conducted a needs assessment of human trafficking. I described my research and what I saw as opportunities for solutions based on best practices. Logic and evidence, key components of academic writing, were crucial to a needs assessment that was both reasonable and understandable. A needs assessment requires an explanatory logical process in order for it to be effective. Also, in HSP 385, Applied Research Methods, I wrote a literature review on the effects of income on child development. A piece of writing such as this is based entirely on research and requires that the writer use research and data to support their claims. As it says in the title of the essay, it is a review of existing literature on an issue such as research, reports, articles and data.
Professional writing is used to interact with clients, colleagues and coworkers. Examples of professional writing amongst human service professionals include case notes, confidentiality forms, conferences, meeting minutes and collaboration notes. HSP 345, Case Management, covered theory related to professional writing such as intakes, case notes, confidentiality and collaboration. In this course I created an example intake outline that highlighted various aspects of the intake process. During my internship at Love INC I completed nearly 50 client intakes. During my time at the Bellingham Boys and Girls Club I wrote a professional letter requesting support for our fundraiser and while I was interning at the Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic I created and outlined an expanded marketing strategy. It is especially important to remember to use professional writing in the right context. Using a writing voice that is not professional in a professional setting is unprofessional and may cause the community, donors or colleagues to view the writer as untrained or unqualified. There is a certain level of professionalism expected within the human services sector and this writing voice helps to make sure this is achieved.
A creative writing voice expresses the original ideas and work of the author and often evokes emotion from the reader. While the creative writing style may not be the most prevalent within the human services profession it certainly has its place, especially in regards to self-expression. I used a creative voice in HSP 301, Personal Systems, when I wrote the short essay, This I Believe. Using this voice for this essay I was able to express my personal ideas and experiences about frustrating situations and the healing power that laughter has over so many of them. I think that my use of the creative voice helped the reader feel what I was feeling during the experiences I shared. This writing voice may be most appropriate on the program level of an organization, especially if the target audience is children. Demonstrated creative writing and expression can help children see and experience appropriate responses to how they are feeling. Again, creative writing can be useful for several purposes when used within the appropriate context.
As outlined in the Student Guide to Capstone Portfolio, reflection is a critical component of the adult learning process. It is therefore fitting that the reflective voice and style is one that is utilized and practiced often within the Human Services Program. When an individual uses the reflective voice they are able to consider their experiences alongside their knowledge and create new understanding in the process. Reflection was a critical component of every internship experience. In HSP 341, Practicum and Seminar II, and HSP 440, Internship and Seminar I & II, I had the opportunity to write several reflections. For HSP 341, Practicum and Seminar II, I wrote a reflection of my internship experiences at the Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic (WCPC Final Reflection). In HSP 440, Internship and Seminar I, I reflected on my time at the Bellingham Boys and Girls Club in my essay, BGC Final Assessment. And in HSP 440, Internship and Seminar II, I reflected on my experiences at Love INC in Love INC Reflection. In this essay I wrote, “As I force myself to really reflect upon this last quarter I realize that I have gained exactly what this blessing offers; that is a discomfort about half-truths, anger at injustice, tears for those who suffer from starvation and rejection and enough foolishness to believe that I really can be a part of changing the world in ways that most people think is impossible.” Reflection, more than being a type of writing, is an opportunity to add new learning to our experiences and I plan to continue to utilize reflection as a strategy for change in this world.
Advocacy writing, also commonly referred to as persuasive writing, is used to influence another person’s ideas or opinions. Within human services advocacy writing is often used to influence voters, policy makers and or administrators. In HSP 404, Community Systems, I created a legislative Fact Sheet that outlined the reasons that the legislators should approve SB 5646 and HB 1811 in order to remove barriers that prevent clients from being placed into appropriate housing as quickly as necessary. When a human services professional is working with macro level issues and trying to enact change on the state or national level, then this type of writing voice is especially necessary and effective.
As I move into my career as a human service professional I will take advantage of what I have learned about writing voices and their effectiveness within various contexts. What I have learned about the significance and influence of communication reinforces the importance of using academic, professional, creative, reflective and advocacy voices as tools for communication.
