Blurb Writer, Vocabulary.com (Freelance)

IXL Learning, a leading EdTech company with products used by 15 million students, is seeking creative, motivated writers to develop content for Vocabulary.com. In this role, you will write engaging blurbs that will help teach learners the different meanings and usages of English words, like this blurb for "MacGyver":

To MacGyver is to solve a problem in a creative way using any available random objects. Drop your keys down an elevator shaft? You may have to MacGyver them out using a shoelace, gum, and a magnet!

This slang verb is named after the protagonist on MacGyver, which ran from 1985 until 1992. MacGyver was a resourceful secret agent who repeatedly freed himself from sticky predicaments using his ingenuity (plus his Swiss Army knife and duct tape). When you fix something in an innovative, makeshift way, you MacGyver it — even if you're not making a papier-mache hot air balloon using a soccer ball or creating a smokescreen from baking soda and vinegar like the original MacGyver.

You can see other examples of blurbs by clicking on "Random Word" on Vocabulary.com's dictionary page.

This is a remote, 1099 consulting role for three months with a possible extension.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Writing engaging blurbs that teach word meaning and usage to school-aged and adult audiences
• Researching word etymologies and fun facts about words
• Adhering to conventions in The Chicago Manual of Style and an in-house style guide
• Accepting and implementing feedback

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• BA/BS degree, preferably in English, creative writing, or a related field
• Exceptional writing skills, including a finely tuned sense of English grammar and usage
• Strong critical-thinking, research, and problem-solving skills
• The ability to be efficient and organized while working on multiple projects
• Previous professional writing experience

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR APPLICATION

• Your resume
• A cover letter
• A sample of your writing highlighting your ability to write for a school-aged audience

ABOUT IXL LEARNING

IXL Learning is the country's largest EdTech company. We reach millions of learners through our diverse range of products. For example:

• 1 in 4 students in the United States uses IXL.com
• Rosetta Stone provides an immersive learning experience for 25 languages
• Wyzant is the nation's largest community of tutors, covering 300+ subjects
• Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) is a comprehensive marketplace for millions of educator-created resources

Our mission is to create innovative products that will make a real, positive difference for learners and educators and we're looking for passionate, mission-minded people to join us in achieving this goal. We have a unique culture at IXL that fosters collaboration and the open exchange of ideas. We value our team and treat one another with kindness and respect. We approach our work with passion, tenacity, and authenticity. We find it immensely satisfying to develop products that impact the lives of millions and we are eager to have you join our team.

At IXL, we value diversity in age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, political and religious beliefs, and life experience, and we are proud to promote a work environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work. IXL Learning is an Equal Opportunity Employer.