Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Try a tuna sandwich for a classic lunch. Make tuna melts for a twist on simple tuna sandwiches. Mix tuna salad for a versatile dish.

Answer: Combine 1 can of tuna with 1⁄2 cup (0.12 L) of mayonnaise and add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Spread the tuna mix evenly on a slice of bread, and place a slice of bread on top to finish your sandwich. Tomatoes, lettuce, olives, pickles, cucumbers, avocados, and onions all make great toppings for tuna sandwiches. Mix 1 can of tuna with 1⁄2 cup (0.12 L) of mayonnaise and toast 2 slices of bread. Spread the tuna on the bread slices, add cheese, and heat a skillet on medium heat. Press the 2 bread slices together against the skillet for 4-5 minutes to melt the cheese and serve. Combine 1 can of tuna with 1⁄2 cup (0.12 L) of mayonnaise, 1⁄4 cup (0.059 L) of celery, 1⁄4 cup (0.059 L) of onion, 1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of lemon juice, 1⁄4 teaspoon (0.0012 L) of garlic powder, and salt or paprika to taste in a bowl. Refrigerate the bowl overnight to chill the salad and serve within 2-3 days of making. You can eat tuna salad by itself, dip chips in it, or add it to other meals like green salads or lettuce wraps.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Find a mentor. Consider moving to a technical hub. Make a contact list. Network at seminars, job fairs and major technical events.

Answer: Starting out in the field can be daunting, so contact your college's alumni department or local chapter of the STC to see if you can meet with an experienced technical writer. This mentor can give you advice and tell you what markets or employers are looking for entry level staff.  The STC also maintains an active mentor board. If you're interested in find a mentor to help you find an entry level job in technical writing, complete a profile that can be posted on this board. A mentor help you by sharing experiences, advice and training. If you're uncertain what particular field of technical writing might suit you, a mentor can help you understand the different aspects that may affect your choice. A mentor can also help you access new training and professional development. There are more entry level jobs in cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, D.C., Boston, Houston, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta and Dallas than in smaller cities. Look at the STC website to find the best cities for technical writing jobs.  More and more technical writing jobs are available online as well. If you don't live in a larger city, you may want to find an online entry level technical job position. Depending on the particular track of technical writing you plan to pursue, consider the other factors involved in your field to decide where you should live. For example, if writing for research in healthcare is your goal, look for positions in cities that also house major medical research centers. If you're interested in pursuing writing for the aerospace engineering field, look for jobs in cities that are major hubs for Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, etc. Look online using job search engines. Reading the listings is a good way to become familiar with the job market in different cities. List all major companies that are hiring technical writers in any position. For this list, you'll want to be as inclusive as possible.  Make a spreadsheet that lists the company, industry, contact information and any special notes or qualifications. You should be able to alter your spreadsheet as you acquire new information. Delete or add new entries as need be. Call or email companies directly. Ask them to consider you for any future entry level positions and keep your resume and portfolio on file. To cover your bases well, contact between 50 and 100 companies. Meeting contacts in the industry and foster relationships. They may be able to give you hints about possible entry level openings.  Make sure you have an attractive and professional-looking business card to share with others. Keep your resume up-to-date so that you can share with professional contacts you meet through networking.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Create a final draft. Keep listening.

Answer: Ultimately, you need to have your logo digitized.  You can do this yourself or hire a professional to make it happen for you.  Learn a graphic design program.  The most used program is Adobe Illustrator but Inkscape is another offering, and it can be downloaded online for free. There are a number of instructional books and websites that can help you learn Illustrator.  Community colleges and some continuing education programs offer classes in this design program.  Hire a professional graphic artist.  If you already have a background in graphic arts, computer-assisted design or you're a quick study, then you may be able to do it yourself; otherwise, you're better off putting your work in the hands of a professional.  Visit designers' websites to see their portfolios.  You want to choose someone who has experience working with logo design. Ask about turnaround time.  Depending on what stage your design is in, you may go through another revision with an artist or he or she may simply reproduce your idea "as-is."  In any case, find out how long it will take from the time you give them your design until you see a finished product. Find out about costs.  Again, where you are in your design process will impact the cost of this service.  If you need someone to go back to square one with you in your design, that will be more expensive than if you are happy with the logo you've created and simply want to have it professionally computerized. Check online services.  There are a number of online graphic design services that allow you to pay a set fee and in return receive several logo designs from artists trying to win the job.  You choose the design you like best and work with that artist through the completion of the project. Once your logo is finished, it's important that you stay open to feedback on the design.  Use social media.  If your company has an established online presence, run your logo past those who are connected to you and listen to what they have to say. Try your logo out on your website first.  If the response to your logo isn't positive, it's easier and less expensive to revise and republish it on your website than to redo printed materials. Get details.  If clients say the logo is "confusing" or "difficult to read," press them for details.  The more you can find out before you invest in all of your print collateral, the easier it will be to tweak the design.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Make sure you have the right position. Choose the proper tools. Set up your paper properly. Practice.

Answer:
This means that your feet are firmly on the floor, you are comfortable and your back is straight. It also means that you need to have the right pen hold.  The pen should sit between your first two knuckles, gripped by your thumb and first finger. It should rest against the middle finger. For the proper position of the pen you need to make sure that you're holding it at a 45 degree angle. To test this, draw a right angle (90 degrees) with a pencil. From the corner of the angle slide your pen upward cutting the right angle in half. It should be a thin stroke. You will want to make sure that you give the appearance of a weighted line, meaning that your strokes appear thick and thin, as needed. To do this you'll need to pick the pens and paper and ink that work best for you.  Broad edge writing tools that work well for calligraphy are markers, fountain pens, staff with inserted nibs (tips), brushes, quills, or reeds. You will want paper that doesn't bleed ink through. You can practice on regular notebook paper. Check the cotton content of paper, because papers with a cotton content to give a crisper line. Of course you can always find paper specially for calligraphy and if you have a calligraphy set it often comes with appropriate paper. In terms of inks, you want to stay away from india drawing inks, because the lacquer in them has a tendency to rust the nibs of pens and to clog pens. It's better to find a water soluble ink. This means understanding where the lines go so that your calligraphy has uniformity of appearance. You'll need to set a nib height, which can be anything, but the 15th century italic has a height of 5 nibs, which will be used in the example of proper lines.  Baseline is the writing line that all letters sit on. Waistline is the line above the baseline, which changes according to the x-height of the letter (in this case, 5 nibs above baseline). Ascending line is the line that all ascending letters hit. It should be 5 nibs above the waistline (or whichever nib length you're using). Ascending letters are the letter like a lowercase "h" or "l." Descending line is the line that descending letters hit. It should be 5 nibs below the baseline. Descending letters are the ones like a lowercase "g," or "f." You will, of course, need to practice the letters of your chosen calligraphy style, so that you become accustomed to them, but you'll also need to practice the angle of your writing utensil and the movement of your hand. Play around with your pen and ink. Make circles, tents, and lines as practice so you get the feel for the angle and the press of the pen.