memo

To:

Dr. Karen C. Holt

From:

Tanner H. Murri

Date:
Subject:

10/8/2014
Research Proposal: The Well-Rounded Writing Professional

Purpose:
I passionately believe that the world needs people who can write well. This has become
the purpose of my own educational quest. The purpose of my research is to emphasize the
purpose, and realize the end of my own education. That is, gaining power of the written
word, and being able to translate that skill into a constantly changing professional world.
I understand the importance of good writing skills, but Ive often puzzled at the prospect
of a good writers ability to know about other subjects like technological and medical
terminology, or the crafts of law and government. The main issue culminated: What must
an English undergraduate learn in school to gain placement in jobs after graduation?
Background:
In my fifth grade class, the student who received a 100% on the spelling pre-test every
Monday was given the opportunity to conduct the class spelling test the following Friday.
I stood and administered that spelling test all but three times that fifth grade year. My
friends always knew me as the kid with the extensive vocabulary. In other words, I
learned how to sound smart, because I wasnt all that smart. I love words and I love
writing. As I have grown older, Ive become interested in issues in sports. After I wrote
an essay on the issue of concussions in American Football, I began thinking of other
issues I could write about in the sporting world. Ive become a sports radio snob, and I
enjoy hearing people argue their respective opinions. As Ive researched internships, Ive
realized that I need more skills. For instance, I noticed that a production and writing job
at ESPN requires familiarity with a teleprompter. I dont think any of my English classes
are going to give me that experience. I need to find out if I can take any other courses, or
if I need to declare some kind of a minor.
Significance:
This is a crossroads that a lot of English students have to face. Especially because a lot of
successful English majors have gone on to business or law. Prior to my major declaration
in college, I lightly researched the emphases of the English department. I know that I
1

memo
defaulted to a Professional Writing emphasis because I didnt want to learn English to
become a novelist and creative writer. I also wasnt a Lit lover. I simply wanted to get
better at what I was already good at. I have met many students who love to write, but
dont know what they will do with it. I hope to gain some direction for myself, but also
for other students who may be in the same boat as me. All in all, when Im interviewing
for a job after I graduate, I wont have to say: No I dont know how to do that, but I do
know how to structure a page-long sentence.
Description:
First, I want to understand hot career options for a professional writer. I would like to
get this information from a primary source, namely Quinn Grover, an English professor
here at BYU Idaho. He has many years of experience in the field of technical writing, and
I hope he can shed some light on professional writing as a career. Next, I want to
interview my cousin Tyrel Murri, who is currently writing a novel and studying his
Masters in Minnesota. Since he is right in the thick of his education, Im hoping he can
give me current advice on internships and networking. Although he is a creative writing
graduate, I feel his technical savvy will lend some insight. Secondary sources include
databases which have been accessed at the David O McKay Library. These include:
Proquest and JSTOR. I will also access a couple of blogs to get advice from writers who
are trying to make a career for themselves. While there are age-old principles which may
be of use, I will be looking for up-to-date analysis because of the rapid pace at which the
writing world is changing.
Outline:
Working thesis: Whether obtained by internship or extended course work, the mastery of
supplementary skills beyond the core of language studies is becoming more important for
those in pursuit of a professional writing career.
Introduction
Background information
Assertion of issue question
Reason behind issue
Thesis

Body

Answer thesis

Skills can be obtained in an internship through on the job training

Skills can also be obtained by determining classes to take during undergrad or during masters studies.
Answer why? Because the writing world is expanding immensely.

Conclusion
Restate urgency of thesis, and call English majors, who are just like me, to action. GET MORE TRAINING

memo
Annotated Bibliography:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2014-15 Edition, Technical Writers, on the Internet at
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm (visited
October 02, 2014).
Jobs in the technical writing field are expected to jump 15% from 2012-2022 due
primarily to advances in technology. (Might want to be versed in computers.)
Charman-Anderson, Sew. "How To Tell If You Are A Professional Writer." Forbes
Magazine 7 Aug. 2013. Print.
The author basically destroys all stereotypical examples of a writer and gets down to
what a REAL writer needs to succeed.

"Jodyhedlund.com-." Author, Jody Hedlund: 4 Ways to Prepare For a Professional

Writing Career. 25 Feb. 2011. Web. 3 Oct. 2014.
She is an author, and she is basically giving basic tips on how to get the ball rolling in a
professional writing career.

Gould, Jay Reid, and Wayne A. Losano. Opportunities in Technical Writing Careers.
Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2000. Print.
I havent been able to read all yet, but this book outlines careers, opportunities, and what
preparation is requisite.
Grover, Quinn. Interview on 10/8/2014
Michigan State University College of Arts and Letters, Careers in Professional Writing.
2008. Film.
A professor or director of some sort lays out the importance of professional writing in a
series of videos.
Murri, Tyrel. Interview forthcoming
Newhouse, Kelley R., et al. "Professional Writing in the English Classroom: LiteratureBased Professional Writing: An Oxymoron Whose Time has Come." English
Journal 101.4 (2012): 97-100. ProQuest. Web. 3 Oct. 2014.
Interesting take on how professional and creative writing platforms can intertwine and
add to a well-rounded learning experience.

memo
Problems:
Should any technical glitches come to pass with my internet at home, I will be sure to
utilize my parents internet service (under 3 miles from my apartment). If I go out to my
car to drive to my mum and dads house and find a flat tire, I will walk two doors down
to my grandparents house and use their internet. If my computer stops working, I will
use my wifes. If my whole paper gets deleted I will cry, and then remember that Ive
backed it up to my small blue jump drive. I also must plan for my interviews to fall
through. If that happens, I do have back-ups. Im in regular contact with one of my high
school English teachers, and hed be delighted to share some knowledge and wisdom for
my research. If he doesnt work out, Ill have to rely much more on databases.
Timetable:
October 7, 2014
8. 9:45-10:00 Interview with Brother Grover 15:00-16:00 Phone interview with Tyrel
Murri.
9. 16:30-18:00 Write introductory paragraph at home.
10. 14:00-16:00 Compile research notes and outline body argument at home on the
couch.
11. 9:00-10:00 Revise outline of argument at home.
12. Rest
13. 14:00-16:00 Write body paragraphs according to argument outline at home.
14. 16:30-18:00 Revise body paragraphs and integrate any other research at home.
15. Wednesday is other homework day.
16. 16:30-18:00 Revise body paragraphs at home.
17. 15:00-17:00 Write conclusion and weed out annotated bibliography to create works
cited at home.
18. 9:00-9:30 Write a thank you note to Brother Grover at home.
19. Rest
20. 14:00-15:00 Take any questions to the writing center at the library.
21. 16:30-18:00 Make writing revisions from writing center at home.
22. 18:00-19:00 Read paper out loud to my wife three times, and make needed
grammatical changes.
23. 16:30-17:30 Read paper out loud to myself and make final changes at home.
24. FINAL Paper due at 7:45 am.

memo
Request for Approval:
As I research this topic, I hope to make more sense out of my future. I know this research
will be of great value to me. I wish to be able to share what Ive learned with others. I
request approval for research so I can ultimately add deference to my education and forge
ahead with a perfect brightness of hope.