From Doubt to Draft: Mastering Writing in Occupational Therapy School
Every occupational therapy student, at some point asks themselves, "How can I enhance my writing?" Even seasoned occupational therapy practitioners occasionally find themselves struggling to articulate their thoughts effectively in writing. This shared challenge is something that unites us all. I, too, have faced this. After a decade of practicing occupational therapy, I decided to pursue my post-professional doctorate in the fall of 2023. In the summer before the program, I revisited my capstone literature and re-read the APA style manual to prepare, feeling confident I would navigate the upcoming year with ease. However, with our first writing assignment I began to doubt myself – any writing skills I had honed during my master's program seemed to have faded. I had to act quickly, knowing that I was not alone in this struggle.
For those of you in a similar situation, wanting to contribute to a facility publication or OT journal, or simply aiming to write better documentation at work, I have shared some resources that I found helpful on my journey. It may seem daunting to fit reading into your busy schedule, but reviewing a chapter before bed or listening to audiobooks in the car are efficient ways to learn. Remembering everything can be challenging, so I recommend keeping some of these resources handy for quick reference. These materials will help you feel reassured and prepared for your writing tasks.
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty
What started as a podcast has blossomed into a best-selling series of books. Mignon Fogarty's passion is making the intricacies of the English language accessible to all. Grammar Girl is a book anyone interested in English grammar, style, and usage can easily understand and enjoy. Fogarty's style is informative and entertaining, thanks to her memorable mnemonics.
Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
A classic style guide initially written in 1918 by William Strunk Jr., a Cornell professor of English, and revised by one of his students, E.B. White. The fourth and most recent edition was updated in 2024. The short book has helpful grammar, usage, and style tips. Warning: this book is not for the faint of heart, and if your writing is anything like mine, be prepared to hear your style is an "abomination." Just laugh it off and take in the authors' advice.
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser
This was the first book I read in my quest to improve my writing. Zinsser's no-nonsense and engaging writing style is an excellent model for aspiring writers. Reading some of his prose out loud attunes the ear to the importance of rhythm among words, sentences, and paragraphs.
Warriner's English Grammar and Composition
I purchased this writing resource on Stephen King's advice in his book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. At first glance, the book harkens back to middle school classes, but let me tell you, it is packed with helpful information. Although modern times have made learning grammar accessible via the internet, just seeing the substantial bulk of Warriner’s sitting on my desk makes me feel like I am making strides in my writing.
University Websites
University websites are great for answering quick writing questions; some universities even offer web tutorials on grammar and usage. Find one that you find particularly useful and explore it when you have some quiet time to concentrate. Some of my favorites include Northern Illinois University's Effective Writing Practice Tutorial, the Purdue Owl, and the Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Online Courses
As with university websites, there are too many suitable online classes to mention in this short article. For those looking for affordable, practical, and time-friendly instruction, I recommend LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and edX.
Grammarly
While not a book or podcast, this tool is undeniably beneficial for any student or professional. Initially, I found the long list of suggested revisions that appeared every time I pasted my text daunting. However, with continued use, I began to see it as a tool for enhancing my writing skills. It took some time, but I eventually made fewer mistakes, and the list of suggestions was shrinking.
This list served me well during my year as a post-professional doctoral student and is a jumping-off point for those who feel compelled to learn more. There are many other great resources; for example, YouTube has an endless list of writing videos, some better than others. Online dictionaries and thesauruses also offer helpful ways to expand and vary your vocabulary, sometimes offering creative alternatives to repetitive nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
My message is this: Writing can be difficult, terrifying, frustrating, and time consuming. It can also be joyful, exhilarating, fascinating, and rewarding. No one is born a “natural writer” – it takes time, focus, and commitment. Writing is a journey, and we never stop learning.
Amanda Soukup, OTR/L, MS, OTD holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University in California. In August 2024, she completed her post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Indiana University. Her capstone project focused on pain management, and she aims to specialize in the chronic pain field, implementing and refining her OT pain program. Amanda is dedicated to conducting further research to advocate for and elevate the role of occupational therapists in this crucial area.