Writing in Social Work Practicum

Students will view the presentation and provide 4 take-aways they learned and will apply during their Practicum placement. There Is No “Good Writing” “Good writing” varies… By discipline: E.g, English vs. Social Work. By context: E.g, classroom vs. workplace By GENRE of writing: E.g, within social work, functional writing vs. practice-oriented writing General principles: precision, specificity, rigor, and purpose (note that “clarity;” “jargon,” Writing is Everywhere Social Work Genre Sets Practice: Writing to document and improve practice – Audience: Usually other social workers, coworkers, supervisors Examples: – Case notes (workplace) – Interaction or observation reports (workplace) – Intervention proposals / reports (academic / workplace) – Case study (usually academic, but based on workplace) Genre Set: Functional writing Communicates information Requests information Requests action * Scenario: Emailing a supervisor. In a meeting, a student has asked a supervisor if he can adjust his hours. The supervisor checks her schedule, and emails a response. CC What Evidence Does it Use? Evidence (continued): When in doubt, ask a supervisor or experienced coworker for recommended terms or language More so than other genres, case notes may be all somcone sees of you-so “dress well” with your Client reports having a heroin addiction, and attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings irregularly for three years. Client is a heroin addict, and has attended Narcotics Anonymous mectings sporadically for Three years