A Guide to Writing for Human Service Professionals

By (author) Morley D. Glicken California State University, San Bernardino

Publication date:

01 August 2017

Length of book:

250 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

263x182mm
7x10"

ISBN-13: 9781538106198

Straightforward and concise, the second edition of A Guide to Writing for Human Service Professionals offers students and professionals practical tools to improve their writing. In his animated and highly accessible teaching voice, Glicken presents the rules of punctuation, grammar, and APA style in jargon-free language that’s easy to understand. Chapters include detailed, real-world examples on how to write academic papers, client assessments and evaluations, business letters, research proposals and reports, papers for mass audiences, requests for funding, and much more. Glicken provides the most comprehensive writing guide available in an engaging and digestible format, including end-of-chapter exercises that allow readers to further practice their writing and critical thinking skills. A Guide to Writing for Human Service Professionals is an invaluable resource for current and future human service professionals across social work, psychology, and counseling.

Updates to the Second Edition include:

New writing exercises in every chapter to help current and future human service professionals improve critical thinking and expository writing skills
New discussion on social media writing, cyberslang, and writing articles for the mass media on issues related to the human services
A greater emphasis on the difference between politically correct writing and writing that shows sensitivity to diversity
Expanded coverage of critical thinking and writing, conducting research, and plagiarism
New examples of resume writing, business letters, and reference letters
Expanded discussion of the importance of writing clear mission statements and agency goals

1 Writing Is Just Talking With a Few Rules
2 Getting Started
3 Punctuation and Grammar
4 Using the Correct Word
5 The APA Crib Sheet
6 Plagiarism, Proper Credit to Original Sources, and the Role of Human Subjects Protection
7 Writing Objective Client Assessments
8 Business Letters, Referrals, Complaints, Committee Minutes, Reference Letters, and Mission Statements
9 Resumes and Cover Letters
10 Locating Relevant Information for Reports and Research Proposals
11 Writing the Research Report
12 Requesting Money
13 Writing for the Popular Press
14 Writing Course Outlines, Professional Workshops, and Brochures
15 Using the Internet and the Laws Governing Privacy (HIPAA)
16 How Writing Can Change Our Lives

Like the author's 2008 work, this update is a concise resource for students and professionals in the human-services fields who seek to improve their writing skills. Written by Glicken, an educator and social-work practitioner, the guide provides detailed descriptions with helpful and often humorous examples spanning a myriad of writing genres. Also included is guidance on how to choose a topic, the correct use of grammar, and recommended best practices for writing business letters, complaints, and mission statements. The updated second edition also includes writing etiquette for social media, useful techniques for writing on sensitive topics, and relevant writing practice exercises suitable for both small groups and individuals. The goal is to improve critical-thinking skills and show readers how to make logical arguments supported by research. Throughout the work Glicken articulates the importance of writing well in all aspects of society, and he gives readers useful, practical tips for being the best writers they can be. Recommended for teachers and writing center practitioners in pertinent fields, but particularly beginning students pursuing careers in the human services.

Summing Up: Recommended. Community college and lower-level undergraduate students; professionals/practitioners.