Why are writing skills important?

Many people are convinced that they lack the talent or intelligence to become good writers. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Although some may have to work much harder at writing than others, like any skill, writing ability can always improve with practice.

Improving your writing skills holds several benefits for you. Good writing can:

	enhance your capacity for adapting to sudden and unpredictable changes in the workplace
	improve your ability to articulate your ideas in a clear and intelligible manner
	increase how credible and qualified others perceive you to be.

This isn't to say that once you improve your communication skills that you are sentenced to formal style and structure all of the time. You can still relax when the situation is appropriate, but being able to “turn on” formal writing and speaking ability when you need it will be a decided advantage when it comes to finding jobs, getting promotions, and earning the respect of your co-workers.

Listed below are some links to articles related to good writing:

Good (and bad) writing skills stand out on the job by Michael Kinsman, Copley News Service

Survey show workers shud write better by Associated Press

Writing skills: More important than ever on the job. by Katharine Hansen
The title of this article accurately summarize its message--as the world transitions from an industrial to a service-driven economy, good communication skills are more important than ever. There's simply no more "hiding" from co-workers and customers if you don't communicate well...

Justice Department "Typo" Costs US $100 Million by Associated Press

Writing: A ticket to work, or a ticket out by the College Entrance Examination Board
This 2004 report of the National Commission on Writing for America's Families, Schools, and Colleges surveyed business leaders about the importance of writing skills in the workplace.

Are they really ready to work? Employers’ perspectives on the basic knowledge and applied skills of new entrants to the 21st century U.S. workforce
This 2006 in-depth report studied corporate perspectives about how prepared new hires are for the workplace and what skills employers view as most important for recent graduates to possess.

Bad writing skills: A businesses' nightmare, a freelancer's dream by Peter Bowerman, Freelance Writer
Improve your writing ability and you could have a marketable skill with which to supplement your income... If you're really good, you may be able to write full time--in your home and on your schedule.

Cover letters from Hell at Killian Advertising.com
Don't let this Chicago-based advertising agency's informal tone and casual style fool you into thinking they are relaxed about writing quality; they're not. Send them a cover letter that is poorly written and you'll likely end up on this web page.

The blogs of war by John Hockenberry, Broadcast Journalist
This article discusses the impact that advances in communication technology has had on war. Many soldiers have taken to writing vivid and poignant accounts of the war on terror in personal on-line journals called web logs (blogs). These blogs currently offer readers real-time, first person accounts of the experiences and emotions that occur behind the front lines--accounts that haven't been filtered through the media or the government. They also provide their writers with an opportunity to tell their stories as they occur, as well as the power to re-shape their readers' perceptions about the politics, practices, and progression of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.