In this world of 140 characters, instant messages, and emails possessing good business writing skills are still important. When email or other written communication is sent, it is out there for people to judge. Your correspondences not only reflect on you, but on your organization as well, so it’s essential to get it right. For my development goal, I decided to improve my written communication skills by completing several courses through our Judicial Online University (JOU). The eleven courses I took were very informative and complex, so I have divided this report into two sections: grammar skills and the writing process.
GRAMMAR SKILLS
Grammar is extremely important because it is the foundation of communication. The better the grammar, …show more content…
The course, “Common Usage Errors” shows that often these mistakes come into play because of commonly confused word pairs, commonly misused words or idiomatic use of prepositions. Commonly confused words can sound very similar or have a meaning that is close to another word – for example, affect or effect. Combining verbs, nouns, or adjectives with prepositions can also be confusing because their meanings can change depending on context and the correct way to use them may be established through common use instead of a governing rule (this is called idioms). For instance, I can make a comment about another person, but I can also comment to a person and comment on a situation or thing. This lesson teaches that avoiding errors improves clarity, proves competence, and influences how others perceive you. Careful word usage is essential so always refer to a dictionary and/or thesaurus when uncertain about the meaning of a …show more content…
The courses “The Writing Process,” and “Preparing for Success” teaches strategies on how to overcome writer’s block, reduce distractions and stress, and prepare the environment so that quality document can be produced even under tight deadlines. When preparing to write make sure you are in a well-lit and comfortable environment, free from distraction. Set aside a time to return phone calls, emails, and converse with coworkers. Be mindful that perfectionism, lack of confidence, and unrealistic deadlines can hinder your writing, so try to relax. Streamline the writing process by brainstorming, generating ideas and creating an outline to get the words to flow. Remember the purpose of your message and your audience. “The Writing Process” course teaches to let the outline serve as a direction map for your rough draft. Break the draft into chunks and start where you feel most comfortable and never expect the written material to be perfect at first; the draft will come to life after several edits and revisions. Also, during the drafting stage don’t be overly concerned with grammar or spelling. Corrections will be made during the revising and proofreading stages. These final stages are best done after taking a long break from your writing. This makes it easier to see your own mistakes. If possible, read aloud
GRAMMAR SKILLS
Grammar is extremely important because it is the foundation of communication. The better the grammar, …show more content…
The course, “Common Usage Errors” shows that often these mistakes come into play because of commonly confused word pairs, commonly misused words or idiomatic use of prepositions. Commonly confused words can sound very similar or have a meaning that is close to another word – for example, affect or effect. Combining verbs, nouns, or adjectives with prepositions can also be confusing because their meanings can change depending on context and the correct way to use them may be established through common use instead of a governing rule (this is called idioms). For instance, I can make a comment about another person, but I can also comment to a person and comment on a situation or thing. This lesson teaches that avoiding errors improves clarity, proves competence, and influences how others perceive you. Careful word usage is essential so always refer to a dictionary and/or thesaurus when uncertain about the meaning of a …show more content…
The courses “The Writing Process,” and “Preparing for Success” teaches strategies on how to overcome writer’s block, reduce distractions and stress, and prepare the environment so that quality document can be produced even under tight deadlines. When preparing to write make sure you are in a well-lit and comfortable environment, free from distraction. Set aside a time to return phone calls, emails, and converse with coworkers. Be mindful that perfectionism, lack of confidence, and unrealistic deadlines can hinder your writing, so try to relax. Streamline the writing process by brainstorming, generating ideas and creating an outline to get the words to flow. Remember the purpose of your message and your audience. “The Writing Process” course teaches to let the outline serve as a direction map for your rough draft. Break the draft into chunks and start where you feel most comfortable and never expect the written material to be perfect at first; the draft will come to life after several edits and revisions. Also, during the drafting stage don’t be overly concerned with grammar or spelling. Corrections will be made during the revising and proofreading stages. These final stages are best done after taking a long break from your writing. This makes it easier to see your own mistakes. If possible, read aloud