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Add Writing to Your Desktop Publishing Resumé
Learn to Write and Expand Your Desktop Publishing Opportunities

By Jacci Howard Bear, About.com

Writing and editing are requirements of some desktop publishing jobs. If you want to expand your skill set and broaden your job opportunities, learning how to write is one way to do that.

Additionally, a background in and knowledge of a specialized field such as desktop publishing, could lead to employment as a writer -- if the writing skill is there. Improve your writing and look at three markets that could combine desktop publishing and writing.

Mechanics of Writing: Punctuation

Punctuate Like a Pro© J. James
You may know how to create beautiful hanging punctuation or how to finetune the spacing of an ellipsis, but do you know the ins and outs of using commas, periods, semi-colons, and other punctuation marks? Writing isn't entirely about stringing a bunch of words together.

Mechanics of Writing: Grammar

You may have learned about the "correct or incorrect use of language" in school but how much do you remember? Writing and editing both require a knowledge of both descriptive and prescriptive grammar.

Mechanics of Writing: Writing Style

What and how much you read, your speech, the act of writing, and the detail you put into your writing all influence how you express yourself.

Types of Writing: Copywriting

Write Words That Sell© J. James
Many freelance desktop publishers get their first experience doing copywriting by writing the text of their own brochures or marketing newsletters. Offering copywriting services to small businesses along with designing advertising materials such as brochures and direct mail pieces is one way to combine writing and desktop publishing.

Types of Writing: Book Reviews

If your personal desktop publishing library is anything like mine, you've read a lot of books on software, graphic design, typography, and page layout. One way to combine your technical expertise with writing is by writing book reviews.

Types of Writing: Technical Writing

You already know the technical aspects of book design, now write the book. From creating a great book index to writing a user's manual, there are many ways to combine your desktop publishing skills with technical writing.
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