Professional Writing for Social Work Practice

Many social work students today lack the basic writing skills they will need to practice effectively with clients. This user-friendly guide to effective writing skills focuses specifically on the types of writing social work practitioners are required to do in everyday practice: writing for agency reports, client documentation, court letters, and grant writing applications, among other documents. It includes abundant real-world examples drawn from all arenas of social work practice.

The text helps students to understand and practice the basics of successful writing through the inclusion of actual forms and records that are customarily used in social work practice. It presents examples of strong writing and analyzes common writing errors. Each chapter contains examples of good and poor writing, and includes forms on which students can practice their new skills. The text also covers legal and ethical issues surrounding legal documentation and use of writing to influence policy and transmit research findings.

• Helps students understand and practice the basics of good writing
• Focuses specifically on the types of writing they will need to do in social work practice
• Includes writing samples used in actual social work venues
• Provides samples of agency reports, intake forms, client progress notes, court documentation, and more

Daniel Weisman, MSW, PhD, is professor emeritus of social work, Rhode Island College, and former chair, Bachelor of Social Work Department.

Joseph Zornado, PhD, is professor of English at Rhode Island College.