Public Writing: Resources

Writing for the Public (University of Toronto)
A short article will help you think about several aspects of public writing, including audience, language, and conventions

“So you wanna write for the public?” (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill)
Repository of public writing resources from a variety of institutions

Going Public: Writing about Research for Public Audiences (US Department of Education)
Comprehensive report from the US Department of Education with strategies for explaining research concepts through public writing

Usability.gov - Writing for the Web 
A how-to document with considerations and tips for creating web content that is broadly readable for an online audience  

Writing for the Web (WC3) - Web Accessibility Initiative
This page focuses on creating accessible web content, particularly for users with disabilities. Content includes creating descriptive titles and headings, alternative text for images, meaningful links, and more

UW College of Education web writing best practices (for staff)
Tips for creating effective, engaging web content, including considerations for accessibility and general readability 

Writing for the Web in Web Design Basics for Educators (Torrey Trust, University of Massachusetts Amherst)
Although created for educators, a collection of universally applicable tips for web design including formatting, headings, and audience/subject consideration

Diversity Style Guide (Rachele Kanigel, ed., San Francisco State)
Created by and for journalists and media professionals. Includes topic glossaries and list of resources for writing and interviewing with sensitivity.

National Association of Black Journalists Style Guide (NABJ)

National Association of Hispanic Journalists Cultural Competence Handbook (NAHJ)

Disability Language Style Guide (National Center on Disability and Journalism)

Association of LGBTQ Journalists stylebook (NLGJA)

White Language Supremacy Resource Guide (Oberlin)

The Habits of White Language (HOWL) (Asao B. Inoue, Arizona State University)

Anti-Oppression Toolkit (National Campus and Community Radio Association)

Anti-Oppression Toolkit Facilitator’s Guide (Ulex activist training nonprofit)

Anti-racism and Anti-Oppression Writing Resources (University of Maryland Baltimore Writing Center) 

Inclusive and antiracist writing (Simon Fraser University)

Antiracist Writing Across the Curriculum Toolkit (Syracuse University)

Anti-Oppression guide (Simmons University)

Allyship and Anti-Oppression: A Resource Guide (TriCollege Libraries, 2013-2019)

Writing for Social Justice (free online MOOC course from UC Berkeley and edX)
"Can writing change your world? Writing with power about personal, social, and political issues can change minds, introduce solutions to old problems, and help you become a more engaged participant in public life... Learn to harness the power of writing to bring about about personal, social, and political changes that matter."

UW Libraries Search, "writing for social justice" 
Search the UW Libraries for books and articles on writing for social justice. Log in for full access.

How to Write an Editorial (video, New York Times, 2014)
Former NYT Opinion editor Andrew Rosenthal shares tips for writing an effective opinion editorial 

How To Write an effective Blog Post (University of Wisconsin Madison Writing Center)
Overview of what the elements of a blog post are and why they are important to include

Tips & Tools: Blogs (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill) (more Tips & Tools)
Compilation of blog writing strategies including layouts, composition, and communicating with readers

Writing Exhibition Texts (Carleton College)
Strategies for writing exhibition texts including examples of introduction text, group labels, and captions

Responding to Other People’s Writing (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill)
Suggestions for providing constructive, text based feedback when reviewing others' writing

UW College of Education web writing best practices (for staff)
Tips for creating effective, engaging web content, including considerations for accessibility and general readability 

UW Bothell Writing and Communication Center
Resource for all stages of the writing process. Appointments available in person, on Zoom, via phone, or through email!