Question: The only standard advice I have received about the writing sample for job applications is: “Stay within the page limit.” But surely there is better advice than that. And how much leeway ...

Strong writing and communication skills are highly sought after by most employers. Whether crafting short emails or lengthy annual reports, many workers use their writing skills every day. And for an ...

Copy these 7 prompt templates to get clearer drafts, stronger openings, tighter rewrites, and a consistent voice from ChatGPT in 2026 every time.

Q: I frequently see ads that ask for writing samples, along with the résumé and cover letter. I have hesitated to respond to these job ads because I’m not sure what kinds of things I should submit.

Resumes, cover letters and writing samples are the first, and sometimes only, opportunity to make a positive impression on an employer. They must be perfect. Your entire work history and educational ...

As I near the end of my Air Force career and continue the job search, I am applying for a job that asks for a writing sample. I intend to use a memo I wrote for a case that is pending that I have been ...

The following are actual responses to some of our recent submissions to the Online Writing Lab, although the names have been changed to maintain the anonymity of student writers. You can expect ...

Having students move beyond descriptive paragraphs and five-paragraph essays can help improve their ability to write—and their love of doing it.

A fifth grader takes the New York State English Language Arts exam. Writing has been hard to test reliably, but a new approach called comparative judgment holds promise. (Photo by John Paraskevas ...