Professional writing involves creating informational materials, explanatory documents, and sales materials for various fields. It requires education and training to avoid legal and ethical issues. Technical manuals, medical documentation, and news reporting are common areas of professional writing. Business news writers develop expertise in a particular field and may have hands-on experience. Ethical integrity is important in all forms of professional writing.
Professional writing is the composition of informational materials designed for those who work in a professional capacity. This career also involves the creation of explanatory documents and articles, as well as sales materials for use in technical fields. Producing documentation and educational materials for use in the medical field is another activity within professional writing. General news coverage and business news are also considered within this sector. The writing methods strongly depend on the type of writing required by the end user.
The field of professional writing spans many fields, and as a result, there is a wide variety of communication materials produced for various audiences. Professional writing is largely defined by the education that prepares a person for this field. It is usually expected that those who compose sales materials are familiar with the products or services that will be distributed to customers.
There are legal ramifications for composing and distributing written materials or composing how-to guides for products or sales materials. Copyright infringement and liability issues are two of the main ones. Consequently, the training of a professional writer or journalist usually prepares him or her to carry out writing assignments without coming into conflict with these issues. Ethics are also a concern, particularly in news reporting.
Those pursuing a professional writing career are commonly trained to avoid understanding the integrity of an article. An example of a compromised ethical integrity would be a writer who does not disclose a payment he has received from a company he has profiled in a newsletter. This is considered skewed news coverage, and most people would probably consider it a violation of ethical journalistic standards.
Professional writing is often required in the production of technical manuals or in the documentation and reporting of manufacturing activities. The medical industry also requires extensive documentation, due to legal regulations regarding patient disclosure of drug therapies and medical procedures. Those who work as medical editors typically receive specialized instruction related to producing content for this field. They are also generally expected to have some level of comfort in using medical terminology.
News reporting covers many journalistic niches. General news is expected to conform to whatever journalistic standards are in operation within a country. These can vary significantly from one culture to another, but in general, factual content, reliable sources, and professional discretion when reporting differentiate news from propaganda.
Business news writers are expected to develop expertise in a particular field, such as computer hardware. They can develop extensive contacts within the field. Some become expert sources. These journalists may then have the opportunity to report on breaking news before other journalists. The field of corporate reporting is well populated by trained professionals who may have hands-on experience in the field in which they provide news coverage.
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