In the article, Identity, Authority, and Learning to write in new workplaces by Elizabeth Wardle, she focuses on the workplace for newcomers such as graduates. In her study, a writer name Alan who struggles to the writing demands at his workplace. Alan story highlights the difficulties between academic writing and professional writing. He has to learn how to not write technical documents but also learn how maniver at work and build a relationship with his colleagues. One of his challenges was his authority as a new writer. Regardless of technical skills, he found it hard to gain any types of respect from his other colleagues, especially those who would question his writing abilities and expertise. The lack of authority had impacted his ability to learn and grow as a writer at his job. Wardle had argued that learning how to write in a professional field requires more than knowing technical skills, it involves learning how to participate in it. Since Alan is a new employee, it is harder for him to adjust to everything. So he needs to engage with his colleagues for instance, workplace activities and observe how they write within specific organizational context. She also emphasizes the importance of receiving constructive feedback from other colleagues that is more experienced. This can be beneficial for newcomers like Alan to build their authority and confidence as writers. Wardle points out how to bride out the gap between academic and professional writing. Writing in school is totally different from writing in a professional setting.
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