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Your Career

Work smarter and thrive in your higher-ed job with our free weekly newsletter.

June 2, 2025
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From: Denise K. Magner

Subject: Your Career: Why you should 'write like you teach'

How to apply what you do best in the classroom to sharpen your public writing

The powerful role that nonfiction writing plays in human learning represents an incredible opportunity for faculty members to educate beyond the classroom. For years now, professors have heard more and more calls to write for the public, communicate more accessibly, tackle relevant topics. As an academic with deep expertise in a subject, you typically write for your colleagues, and understandably so: Together you are building a shared field of knowledge. But as the political attacks mount on higher education — not to mention the attacks on democratic ideals and practices that undergird the profession — the public needs to hear your voice.

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How to apply what you do best in the classroom to sharpen your public writing

The powerful role that nonfiction writing plays in human learning represents an incredible opportunity for faculty members to educate beyond the classroom. For years now, professors have heard more and more calls to write for the public, communicate more accessibly, tackle relevant topics. As an academic with deep expertise in a subject, you typically write for your colleagues, and understandably so: Together you are building a shared field of knowledge. But as the political attacks mount on higher education — not to mention the attacks on democratic ideals and practices that undergird the profession — the public needs to hear your voice.

Public writing, however, continues to intimidate a lot of faculty members. And it shouldn’t — because you are a teacher. In writing nonfiction, you are simply creating learning experiences for readers. You can get better at public writing by following a simple principle: Write like you teach.

Continue reading: “How to ‘Write Like You Teach,’” by James M. Lang

Send questions or comments to Denise Magner, an editor at The Chronicle, at denise.magner@chronicle.com.

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