No matter what type of Continuing Education or professional development course you may be pursuing, the ability to write clearly and concisely is key. Business and professional writing takes many forms, from formal letters and white papers, to the daily e-mails we send to co-workers and colleagues without giving it a second thought. In today's world, writing for the internet has also become another commonly required skill. Becoming familiar with the expectations and industry standards for communication is part of the adult students continuing education format.
Why is there so much emphasis on the importance of writing? Particularly in business, communication is vital. Writing clearly is important not only for how it can be beneficial, but also for what can result when you don’t write clearly. Miscommunication in the workplace can cause misunderstandings and bad feelings. These types of problems can interfere with professional behavior and goals, and result in a significant loss of time and revenue.
As a student in almost any educational setting, whether a technical, trade school or a four-year program, you will be required to produce a certain amount of writing. Essays, short papers, and term papers will probably be required of you. Rest easy – these forms of writing are no mystery, even for the new or returning student!
Essay writing is formulaic, and practice makes perfect! The basic pieces of an essay are:
- Introduction and Thesis Statement: This is the first paragraph or two of the essay, where you introduce your topic and your thesis. This should be no longer than a paragraph or two at the most.
- Body: This is the “meat” of your essay, where you will discuss your topic in detail, producing evidence to support your thesis and make your case to the reader.
- Conclusion: The conclusion is the final paragraph where you summarize the information and evidence you have gathered and bring it all into focus for the reader. Just like the end of a good conversation, it’s a “wrap up” that leaves your reader feeling like you have covered all the bases and exited gracefully!
The first rule of academic writing is to know your subject! Writing in any form is much easier when you have a firm grasp of the topic or subject you’re addressing. Professors or employers will easily spot a poor essay that is not the result of poor writing, but instead is due to a lack of knowledge. Preparedness is vital. Check out this great article for more detailed information on college essay and term paper writing.
There are numerous tools available to help you craft your writing. The Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a tremendous resource for writers of all levels. It has a wealth of information to help you produce academic and professional writing that is properly formatted and correctly cited.
Even if you don’t love – or even like – to write, you will find that consistent efforts using the appropriate steps will have you producing great essays and term papers with a minimum of stress! Contact me if you have any particular writing questions.
