Author: Keith Browning
Date:   11-05-03 17:04

I will probably irritate someone because I have already asked this question on the unpublished writers board, but I am an unpublished writer. Oh well, I would like to know what a Copywriters duties are? Thank you for your time, Keith Browning

Author: Keith Cronin
Date:   11-05-03 17:15

See my response in the Unpublished thread.

Also, remember, a dictionary and www.google.com are your two best friends.


KC

Author: Keith Browning
Date:   11-05-03 17:41

American Heritage told me, "one who writes advertising copy" I was hoping for a better explaination, I live in my dictionary and my thesaurus. Thank you very much. Keith Browning

Author: Keith Cronin
Date:   11-05-03 18:11

Ah, I just now noticed most dictionaries use the term "copy" without explaining it, so now I understand your confusion.

The term is often misunderstood, because of its similarity to the word "copyright," which of course is something very different.

KC

Author: Gary Kessler
Date:   11-05-03 22:46

Well, yes, the dictionary is right. Someone walks down the hall in a medium- to large-size firm and says "We need an ad in Sunday's paper. Send the copywriters over to marketing to get the material they'll need to write the ad." And then the copywriters do their job.

Author: Lawrence Chin
Date:   11-08-03 05:43

I do copywriting on a freelance basis. Like what was mentioned above, copywriters basically write the text for advertising or PR material.

Basically, you have to write a copy and the end in mind is to get the reader to respond in the way the advertiser/client wants them to, whether that means buying a product, availing a service, or forming an opinion about an issue.

Journalists look at copywriting as a form propaganda writing. Of course, in order to make the reader respond accordingly some copy writers ignore the negative details if not fabricate lies.

Of course, those are the extreme cases. My clients were events organizers and I was tasked to write copies for distribution to the press.

The extreme form of copywriters are those who write advocacy materials for controversial issues such as tobacco/smoking, abortion, gun control, etc.

I'm sure there is guideline in the US about how an PR and/or advertising practitioner must conduct himself professionally and it would help if you familiarize yourself with that. Because by extension that guideline apply to copy writers and those who are interested in the job.