WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.466 --> 00:00:03.132 When a nineteenth century 2 00:00:03.133 --> 00:00:04.366 British author wrote 3 00:00:04.366 --> 00:00:06.132 “the pen is mightier than the sword,” 4 00:00:06.133 --> 00:00:07.199 he was referring to 5 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:08.466 the tremendous power of words 6 00:00:08.466 --> 00:00:11.132 used skillfully by writers and authors. 7 00:00:11.133 --> 00:00:12.866 Writers use their language skills 8 00:00:12.866 --> 00:00:14.899 to produce content for an audience. 9 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:17.066 They compose books, movie screenplays, 10 00:00:17.066 --> 00:00:19.532 magazine articles, and web content. 11 00:00:19.533 --> 00:00:21.266 Writers need creativity 12 00:00:21.266 --> 00:00:22.732 to come up with ideas, 13 00:00:22.733 --> 00:00:24.199 critical thinking skills 14 00:00:24.200 --> 00:00:26.233 to convey their concepts clearly, 15 00:00:26.233 --> 00:00:28.166 and persuasively, when needed, 16 00:00:28.166 --> 00:00:29.599 and adaptability to understand 17 00:00:29.600 --> 00:00:31.833 their audience’s perspectives. 18 00:00:31.833 --> 00:00:33.866 The work of different types of writers 19 00:00:33.866 --> 00:00:35.566 varies significantly: 20 00:00:35.566 --> 00:00:37.299 creative writers like novelists, 21 00:00:37.300 --> 00:00:39.333 songwriters, poets, and playwrights 22 00:00:39.333 --> 00:00:41.099 are generally self-employed, 23 00:00:41.100 --> 00:00:42.766 and may labor for months or years 24 00:00:42.766 --> 00:00:44.399 before getting published, 25 00:00:44.400 --> 00:00:46.333 while technical writers and copywriters 26 00:00:46.333 --> 00:00:47.966 often work 9-to-5 jobs 27 00:00:47.966 --> 00:00:49.799 with a clear career path. 28 00:00:49.800 --> 00:00:51.566 Copywriters work on ad campaigns, 29 00:00:51.566 --> 00:00:53.299 and technical writers prepare 30 00:00:53.300 --> 00:00:55.800 instruction manuals and how-to guides. 31 00:00:55.800 --> 00:00:57.500 Using specialized skills, 32 00:00:57.500 --> 00:00:59.166 often learned on the job, 33 00:00:59.166 --> 00:01:01.966 they simplify complex ideas for the public, 34 00:01:01.966 --> 00:01:03.899 or write highly-technical material 35 00:01:03.900 --> 00:01:06.300 for a specific professional audience. 36 00:01:06.300 --> 00:01:09.033 Writers and authors often work in offices, 37 00:01:09.033 --> 00:01:10.499 but may work from any location 38 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:12.366 with Internet access. 39 00:01:12.366 --> 00:01:14.366 Most writers have a bachelor’s degree in 40 00:01:14.366 --> 00:01:16.566 communications, journalism, or English, 41 00:01:16.566 --> 00:01:18.599 and lots of writing practice. 42 00:01:18.600 --> 00:01:20.866 Aspiring writers who want to enter the field 43 00:01:20.866 --> 00:01:23.166 often gain experience from internships, 44 00:01:23.166 --> 00:01:25.266 blogging about their personal interests, 45 00:01:25.266 --> 00:01:27.132 writing for school publications, 46 00:01:27.133 --> 00:01:28.999 small businesses or non-profits, 47 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:31.400 or local news organizations.