Importance of Effective Writing Skills - Essay Example

? Importance of Effective Writing Skills in My Discipline School Importance of Effective Writing Skills in My Discipline I admit that I did not possess excellent skills in writing. A skill, though, can be attained and enhanced. I believe that human potential can be maximised to the utmost so that a person can perform the best that he or she can do. It is important that before one can improve a particular skill, he or she must be able to determine not only the strengths but also the weaknesses. Having recognized the need for me to improve my writing skills, and knowing that my potential for improvement is strong, I exerted extra effort to augment the elements that I need to manifest skillful writing. Development of writing skills is an asset that can be used in my future undertakings. While a writing skill can be useful in the rank-and-file positions, it can be more helpful for one holding a position of leadership. I agree with the Lin Grensing 1988 report declaring that “one of the most important to productivity” is a writing skill (Hansen & Hansen, 2008, para. 5). And even as early as 1991, the U.S. Labor Department had already said that majority of jobs in the coming years would indeed need writing skills (Hansen & Hansen, 2008) and that includes the computer and information technology sector. Writing skill is necessary in many line of work. In some areas, it may even contribute to success in one's career. Its importance cannot be simply ignored because it is a mode by which we communicate with others and exchange ideas. Whether a person is in computer programming or software production, exchange of ideas with colleagues is indispensable. My discipline is primarily concerned with computers and the people using them. At first glance, it may seem that there is no need for someone involved in my discipline to have any skill in writing. As long as I can speak with the people using the computers, then that would be enough. It is enough that I can write some notes that others can understand. But informative communication does not only happen through verbal exchange. Documentation and important messages should be made in a written form. Some information and messages should be written formally. These types of communications have to be posted on the bulletin board. There is a need to file them in the folder for archiving or reference at a future time. Some documents and reports have to be submitted to my immediate supervisor and the higher officers of the organisation. Other written documents are intended to be read by my peers. These written forms should be made in a formal manner and to do it, I must possess that skill in writing that conforms to a certain writing style. Moreover, there is a specific format in writing formal business documents. The document must also convey the message clearly. Corporate and business correspondences are intended to transfer critical or important information. And whatever message intended by the sender to be disseminated to the rest of the members of the organization, it must be understood as what the sender intended it to be. A faulty written document can relay a wrong impression or an erroneous interpretation. It can have a disastrous effect upon the business or the organisation as a whole. A writing skill then, is crucial to the internal operation of any business or company. In the same manner, when holding a higher position such as that of a manager, a skill in writing is also necessary. The manager has to write reports, letters, and messages for subordinates (Stiller, 2010). Such documents must be easily understandable by the intended recipient, otherwise, it will be consume unnecessary time for the readers to figure out what the author is trying to convey or what instructions are being relayed. If it is a safety instruction and has been misunderstood, an accident or injury can result. An example in my discipline that concerns computer and people working with it can be exemplified clearly in this simple scenario. There are several computer units being used by personnel. A memorandum or notice was posted in a conspicuous place for the computer users to see easily. The message is saying that two computer units should not be used because the electrical outlets are defective and will not be repaired until later. The computer monitors and the CPUs are fully functional. Two errors can be committed under this scenario, one is on the part of the author and the other is on the part of the computer users. Two users arrived later in the afternoon and saw the units not being used. They have read the memorandum and “understood” well that the electrical outlets will be repaired “later”. Since they have arrived in the afternoon, they just assumed that the defective outlets are already functional. They plugged in the computer cables and there resulted a spark. The whole room went dark. A short circuit has just occurred. The files not currently saved were lost. Thousands of dollars worth of information can no longer be retrieved. The servers were also affected. Ongoing online transactions were interrupted, and thus, clients on the other end were not able to consummate their transaction, an added loss to the organization. Other clients did not care much and just sought out other companies that can offer the same services and products. The person who posted the notice has made a defective communication. The error committed by the two users resulted from misunderstanding and miscommunication. The manager who posted the notice did not specify the specific time that the computers can be used or when the electrical outlets will be repaired. A note can also be affixed on the computer monitors themselves, in addition to the memorandum on the bulletin board, informing everyone not to use the two computers. The manager may also instruct the pull out of the computer units and temporarily store them elsewhere so that no one will attempt to use them and plug the cables into the defective electrical outlet. The manager then can be said to be lacking the essential skills in effective writing. He or she failed to communicate the information properly to the users of the computer. There is also a need for the company to advertise its computer services and products to the public. The marketing officer of the company should have a working writing skill to effectively relay to the prospective customers the benefits they can get when they avail of the products and services offered. This may require a different writing approach though. Advertising materials use language and form that appeal to the emotion and needs of the consumers. The written words may be accompanied by images to convey the message more clearly. Ability to find the correct and proper words in the shortest time when making a written document can either save the company so much money or a loss. This is how important a writing skill is in the discipline that concerns computers and the people using them. A writing skill below an acceptable standard is very bad for the business and can result to a higher cost and expenditure (Stiller, 2010). As in any business set-up, an individual involved in a computer business can rise to a higher position when he or she possesses a writing skill (Stiller, 2010) since the management knows that that person can be a valuable asset to the organisation. Realising the importance of a writing skill in my discipline, I strived to improve in whatever manner my skills that would be usable in this field. I cannot claim that I have that excellent writing prowess comparable to the best and renowned writers and authors the world has produced. But I know that I can already convey my thoughts and ideas to others through the written form. And when I assume any of the positions in a company engaged in computer and computer technology, I can effectively perform my functions since I believe that my writing skills have developed a lot. References Hansen, R. S. Hansen, K. (2008). The Importance of Good Writing Skills. Retrieved 30 January 2011, from http://www.thewebwriter.com/goodwriting.htm Stiller, Gabriel. (2010, June 4). The Importance of Writing Skills. Retrieved 30 January 2011, from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Writing-Skills&id=4419732 Read More