In this case, the writer begins by writing down questions and collecting accurate answers from reputable sources. They analyse the findings and make reasonable conclusions from them. Afterwards, they produce quality written content based on what they’ve found. Research is the backbone of all types of writing, especially if the writer is not familiar with the topic. Not everyone can discover accurate sources, and seeking them out and gleaning essential information from them is valuable.
5 Reasons Why Writing Skills Are Essential For Every Job
Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and exciting content flow–master these elements of writing, and you can be proud of your writing skills. Anyone who reads your work forms an opinion of you based on the content you have written and presented. Having errors in your content gives the wrong impression. Spelling mistakes have cost many online businesses thousands of dollars in potential profits.
Imagine if your CV was full of spelling and grammatical mistakes. Any British employer will immediately reject your application. Such errors give the impression that you haven’t taken the application seriously, you’re not careful in your work, and you lack a strong work ethic. And when you eventually land that job, you’ll need competent writing skills to express your ideas in emails, online content, and official documents. According to a survey by INC
Importance of developing writing skills
Good writing skills are essential for success in the workplace. Whether it’s emails, project reports, or sales proposals, content full of typos, grammatical errors, and poorly constructed sentences suggests a similar attitude towards work.
Five important writing skills you should have
- Strong grammar skills: It happens to most of us. You have a great idea that popped up in your mind. But just because of a poor grasp of spelling or grammar skills, you may fail to express your ideas and convey the message convincingly and correctly. Try to use auto spell-checkers to aid with correct grammar and spelling usage.
- Research: While writing reports or creating marketing copy or proposals, you may come across a topic you don’t know much about. Your ability to research, find suitable information, and pick up only relevant information quickly plays a crucial role in creating effective reports and other written business communication.
- Technical writing skills: If your job entails working on instructional and supportive documents for technology-related tasks, having dependable technical writing skills becomes essential. These skills are necessary to convey complex technical information in a user-friendly manner.
- Think of user manuals as an example. If your work involves getting feedback or creating FAQs, charts, and training documents, then you must focus on learning technical writing skills. Along with strong communication skills, your writing skills, and command over vocabulary and grammar should be exceptional.
- Collaboration and communication: Writing is an art. And art often seeks collaboration to explore ideas, express your thoughts, and convey a message through writing. Thus, whether it’s creative writing or business writing, you must be able to work effectively in a team.
- Assessment skills and active listening can lead you toward building a positive rapport with your customers and colleagues.
- Word Processing Software: Most employers nowadays require using certain word processing programs, collaboration apps, and file-sharing services. Find out the popular apps and software and try to get a hold of their working and features.
- The more you know how to use these platforms, the more convenience you can bring to your daily tasks at the office.
Important steps for writing
One cannot create a presentable copy just by developing creative writing skills and fine vocabulary. Here are some common and important writing steps that will ensure you create effective content every time.
- Research: Whether you are writing a project report, sales proposal, or creating marketing copy, research as much as possible. Think from your reader’s perspective and note all relevant information, ideas, and thoughts.
- Organizing content: The next step is organizing your ideas and relevant information in the proper sequence. Or in other words, create a draft or outline you further want to elaborate on. Outlining helps you in writing a long piece of content by fixing the proper flow and breaking information into paragraphs to make it more meaningful and effective.
- Writing: Now is the actual time of writing. Always use direct language and choose words suitable to the objective of your document. The division of paragraphs, headings or subtitles, and relevant statistics can make it easier for readers to understand.
- Editing and proofreading: Once you have finished writing a report or drafting an email, it’s time to edit, format, and proofread for spelling, grammar, and sentence and paragraph structure. Remember, your readers may take simple grammar, punctuation, or spelling mistakes as signs of negligence towards your work.
How to improve writing skills
- Make use of wide vocabulary: While you are practicing your writing skills, you will find yourself repeating some words. You are not alone. Almost every writer has their own favorite words, which they like to use often. However, using fillers and repeating words throughout the document will annoy your readers. Instead, make use of varied vocabulary, synonyms, and antonyms to make the content fresh, effective, and readable.
- Write for your audience: This applies to everyone whose job role requires business writing skills. Whether you are writing a blog or drafting an email to your client, having a strong understanding of the intellectual and reading levels of your target audience will help you tailor your text accordingly.
- Creativity: People are always bombarded with more information online and offline every day. This often makes your readers fickle, especially when they are forced to read 10-page long reports or manuals. Thus, it’s your chance to show your creativity and present the same information in fewer words without affecting the credibility and meaning of the content.
- Edit and proofread: The first draft is never perfect. Whether you are just starting or have years of experience, every writer needs to edit and proofread their content. Try to write down your ideas and relevant information in the first attempt. Go with your natural creative flow. Don’t pause to edit and correct your mistakes as you can do it later on.
Improve writing skills
- Read widely. Reading a variety of material will help to grow your vocabulary and introduce you to different styles of expression. If you read an unfamiliar word, look it up. Your reading vocabulary is larger than your written one, but you can work to reduce the gap between them by using the new words you learn in your writing.
- Capture your ideas in writing. This requires strategic thinking in order to sharpen your focus to make ideas clearly understood.
- Practice. The more you write, the easier it will be to develop a personal style that is recognizable. Like most skills, practice will make writing easier and more effective.
- Target your communication. Keep your reader in mind when writing. Careful choice of appropriate words and selection of the right length of communication will help to discipline your writing.
- Rely on good writing practices. Always read what you have written before sending it to others. A good trick is to read your work aloud, when many of its shortcoming become evident. Correct your spelling and grammatical errors. Check for organization of ideas, sentence structure and logic flow in paragraphs. Will your readers understand your message and respond the way you wish? Will you be happy with your writing if you read it much later?
- Examine examples. Reading the Curriculum vitae of others can show you the best way to showcase your own skills and job experiences.
- Benefit from responses and feedback. Readers responses provide valuable lessons for future writing. Questions can show you where the message was not clear. Thank readers when they quote you, repeat your message or share your writing with others.
Remember that the process of writing should be enjoyable. Writing is serious business when its impact is important. But write also for fun, taking pleasure in a turn of phrase, a touch of humour and word play. Writing skills will then come naturally to you. When you write your name under what you wrote, you should experience a feeling of accomplishment.
Sources:
https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/writing-skills
https://harappa.education/harappa-diaries/improving-writing-skills-at-work/
https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/blog/importance-writing-skills