How can you showcase analytical writing and communication skills?

1 Understand the purpose and audience

Before you start writing, you need to clarify the purpose and audience of your communication. What are you trying to achieve? What are the main questions or issues you want to address? Who are you writing for? What do they already know and what do they need to know? How do they prefer to receive information? Answering these questions will help you tailor your tone, style, format, and content to suit your communication goals and expectations.

2 Gather and analyze relevant data

The next step is to gather and analyze the data that supports your communication. Depending on your topic and purpose, you may need to use different sources and methods of data collection, such as surveys, interviews, experiments, observations, or literature reviews. You also need to apply appropriate analytical tools and techniques, such as statistics, graphs, charts, models, or frameworks, to interpret and organize the data. You should always evaluate the quality, reliability, and validity of your data and sources, and acknowledge any limitations or biases.

3 Develop a clear and coherent structure

A good analytical communication has a clear and coherent structure that guides the reader or listener through your main points and arguments. You should start with an introduction that provides some background information, states your purpose and thesis, and outlines the scope and organization of your communication. Then, you should present your data and analysis in a logical and consistent way, using headings, subheadings, transitions, and signposts to create a smooth flow. Finally, you should end with a conclusion that summarizes your main findings, implications, and recommendations.

4 Use evidence and reasoning to support your claims

One of the key aspects of analytical writing and communication is the use of evidence and reasoning to support your claims. You should not just state your opinions or assumptions, but back them up with relevant and credible data, facts, examples, or quotations. You should also explain how your evidence relates to your claims and how it supports your thesis or argument. You should avoid logical fallacies, such as hasty generalizations, false dilemmas, or ad hominem attacks, and acknowledge different perspectives or counterarguments.

5 Write clearly and concisely

Another important aspect of analytical writing and communication is the clarity and conciseness of your language. You should use simple and precise words, sentences, and paragraphs that convey your meaning clearly and avoid ambiguity or confusion. You should also avoid unnecessary jargon, slang, or acronyms, and define any technical terms or concepts that your audience may not be familiar with. You should also check your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting for accuracy and consistency.

6 Revise and edit your communication

The final step is to revise and edit your communication before you submit or deliver it. You should review your communication from the perspective of your audience and purpose, and check if it meets the criteria and standards of your field or profession. You should also ask for feedback from someone else who can offer a fresh and objective perspective. You should look for any gaps, errors, or weaknesses in your content, structure, logic, evidence, or language, and make any necessary changes or improvements.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?