Writers and Authors — Tasks

Task statements

• Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
• Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
• Present drafts and ideas to clients.
• Edit or rewrite existing written material as necessary, and submit written material for approval by supervisor, editor, or publisher.
• Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
• Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
• Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
• Write advertising material for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.
• Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the script, story, or advertisement message is more readily received.
• Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
• Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
• Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
• Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
• Work with staff to develop script, story, or advertising concepts.
• Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising written material.
• Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
• Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
• Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
• Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
• Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.