Specialties

Tom possesses a versatile skill set that is adaptable across virtually any area of professional, business, academic, or creative writing. He has completed a wide variety of writing and editing contracts for many different types of clients from many different industries. Tom specializes in legal writing, technical writing, academic writing, and general copy-writing.

First, as an attorney, Tom understands that legal readers expect information to be expressed in a standardized format. Generally, the most effective legal writing begins with a legal conclusion. Next, the legal rule supporting that conclusion should follow. The rule may be from either a statute or a prior decision. Third, a case illustration may be helpful to illustrate how courts have applied the rule in previous cases involving similar facts or issues. Finally, the law stated at the beginning is applied to the facts of the case at issue. Where a case illustration was used, a comparison to the prior case is usually helpful here. The complexity of the legal issue may dictate the necessary depth of the analysis. However, the same basic approach—with appropriate variations—should satisfy the requirements of most legal writing assignments.

Second, as a trained technical writer, Tom understands that end users require clear, precise, easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Uniform terminology and detailed illustrations are also invaluable in helping end-users avoid frustration. Generally, there are four key aspects of quality technical writing. First, all good technical writing should begin with a heading that identifies the task to be accomplished. For example, a task may be identified as “How to print documents in color.” Second, the instructions should list each action the end user must take to complete the task from beginning to end. The instructions should take the form of a numbered list. For example, the first step in this example might be something as basic as, “1. Turn on the computer.” Third, indented beneath each numbered step, the instructions should indicate what will happen when the end-user completes that step. For example, will a new window or dialog box appear on the screen when the user completes the step listed? What will it look like? What will it say? How should the end-user respond to this occurrence? Further sub-steps should be similarly broken down until the end-user can move on the next numbered step in the process. Fourth, the final numbered step should produce the desired result. Using the example above, the final numbered step should be something like, “Click Print.” The sub-step to that final numbered step should be something like, “A document printed in color will print and appear in the tray.”

Technical documentation can become complex very quickly, so standardized organization, language, and formatting are essential. For example, words like “click,” “drag,” and “scroll” are commonly used to tell the end-user which action to take. Additionally, words like “menu,” “window,” and “sidebar” may be used to describe where certain functions are located on a screen or what may happen during a series of sub-steps. These terms should be uniform throughout the manual or user guide. They may also receive special formatting, such as bolded text or color-coding. Often a company may employ a style manual that dictates the standard terminology and formatting to be used. A good technical writer can also assist in developing a style manual to ensure consistency throughout a company’s software and hardware products. The same is true for help menus, tables of contents, and indexes. These keys to technical writing will please expert and novice users alike.

Third, as a talented and experienced educator, Tom understands that quality academic writing requires clear, authoritative exposition supported by well-documented research. Like good legal writing, good academic writing should begin with a clearly stated conclusion to give readers a preview of what they should expect to learn. For example, “MOOCs have been proven to be the least effective method of instruction.” Unlike legal writing, academic research does not depend on legal rules and statutes. However, an academic research paper should be guided by a concisely worded thesis that forms the basis of any conclusion. Using the example above, a suitable thesis statement may be, “This paper measures the effectiveness of four different types of classroom instruction using four specific metrics.” The remainder of the paper should explain to the reader how the author arrived at the conclusion that begins the paper. Each section—and each paragraph within each section—should begin with a single sentence that tells the reader what will be discussed in that section and how it supports the paper’s overall conclusion. Thus, academic writing should be well-organized and should illustrate specifically how its conclusions are supported by objective research.

Fourth, Tom is a skilled general copywriter who has helped clients in a variety of fields achieve the professional results they want. Unlike legal, technical, or academic writing, copy-writing may take on a variety of forms depending upon the target audience and the goals of the writer. More specifically, advertising and website content that is intended to drive sales of goods or services should be written in a style that is unobtrusive, easy-to-read, and appealing to the audience most likely to buy the product. For example, a business selling commercial kitchen supplies should feature language about the technical specifications and pricing of the equipment that would make it appear to be a good investment for a restaurant owner. However, if the business owner is selling films, books, or similar entertainment products, the writing must appeal to the personal, individual interests and values of the prospective buyers. Additionally, user-experience style guides can help establish a general tone to convey a consistent brand image.

Once again, thanks to his versatility and adaptability Tom can help you achieve the professional results you want, whether you need a professional who specializes in legal writing, technical writing, academic writing, or general copy-writing.

Interests

Thomas enjoys traveling whenever he can find time. He has been to 15 different countries in North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. He especially likes to combine travel with opportunities for professional development.

Thomas has enjoyed cooking from a very young age. While still in high school, he was employed as a prep cook and learned Italian cooking from a master chef who had emigrated to the United States from Sicily. Cooking and travel seem to go together. Whenever he is abroad, Thomas enjoys sampling regional cuisines and shopping at local markets.

Thomas loves to read and enjoys spending long summer days with novels, philosophy, history, and other works of literature. He is also a fan of great music. His favorites include rock and roll, blues, folk, jazz, and classical.

Education

California State University, Sacramento

The English department at California State University, Sacramento, is a community of teachers, scholars, writers, and support staff whose primary mission is to promote learning in composition, creative writing, English education, linguistics, literature, and the teaching of English as a second language.

Webster Techwriters

The Certificate in Technical Writing from Webster Techwriters includes training and guided practice in writing, editing, and illustrating end-user documentation for computer software and hardware using the Adobe desktop publishing suite. Additional components provide training in HTML, indexing, and creating digital help files using RoboHelp.

Transworld Schools

Transworld Schools is approved by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and accredited by the Accrediting Council of Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Transworld offers language teachers the opportunity to obtain a BPPE-approved Certificate to Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (CTESOL). Transworld Schools also offers General English, TOEFL Preparation, and Business English courses to international students from over 50 different countries. Transworld students study English for professional purposes, to prepare for study at college or university in the US, or for their own interest.

University of Phoenix

The Master of Arts in Education/Adult Education and Training is a graduate degree program intended for students interested in working with adult learners. The MAEd/AET curricular components explore methods of helping adults develop self-directed and self-motivated study habits; understanding culturally diverse populations; and incorporating technology into adult education and training programs.

Golden Gate University School of Law

Founded in 1901, Golden Gate University School of Law was the first Northern California law school with an evening program and is one of the oldest law schools in the Western United States.

The School of Law provides exceptional, practical legal training combined with solid legal theory. Students are challenged to view law not merely as rules to be mastered, but also as social policies to be explored and questioned. Through our extensive clinical offerings, our highly respected litigation program and our comprehensive writing curriculum, our students acquire superb skills in analysis, document drafting, advocacy, trial technique, counseling, interviewing and negotiating.

The School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.