Writing 101: Novice to Novelist
Patrick Sullivan, MBA
MBA-Finance | Passed CFA Level 1 | Finance and Accounting Expert
Elevate your written communication skill set by focusing on quality, not quantity
Throughout my years of education and job experience, I’ve written in a wide range of contexts. I’d like to think that over time, my written communication has improved, and my penmanship has become a honed craft. The fact is, most of us compose papers, emails, and memos that are jumbled and hard to get through from a reader’s perspective.
Fret not; there are a few simple ways to clarify your message and get your point across to the right people.
Know Your Audience
Take a minute to think about who you are addressing with your writing. Texting your best friend will sound a lot different than sending a formal email to your boss, so be keen on tailoring your writing style to the appropriate audience. It’s important to “read the room” when sending a message.
Have a Concise Message
Rambling can confuse your readers, so pick a few key discussion points or topics and stick to them. You want to inform, not word vomit, so make sure to define your message clearly. Having an outline for longer documents can work wonders for engaging your audience and staying on point.
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Make It Personal
Don’t be afraid to inject some personality into your written communications. Let your readers know you are a human being by showing your authentic self and identifying with your audience. Unless you’re writing a strictly technical document (think, owner’s manual to your vehicle), add a personal touch to your text.
The Proofreading Is In The Pudding
Once you have completed your writing, go back and re-read it, checking for spelling and grammar errors. Better yet, ask a friend or co-worker to proofread your work because they may pick up on stylistic tweaks that you miss yourself.
I recommend using spell-checker software, such as?Grammarly, for improving your sentence flow and cleaning up grammatical errors. Having an error-free text shows you’re professional, competent, and detail-oriented, which goes a long way for elevating your written communication skill set and showing your audience that you care about what they’re reading.
Enjoyed the read? Before you go!