college writing help

college writing help

The Importance of College Writing Skills

1. The Role of College Writing Skills

Larson then goes on to explain how college writing will actually affect public and professional life. Those students who learn how to write effectively will develop a refined way of expression and a level of thinking and self-discipline. These students will also fare better in the job market because companies desire employees who can think clearly and solve problems independently of revision.

In the second section of the essay, Larson details the role writing will play in a student’s collegiate career and beyond. Larson states that a recent study by the American Council of Education indicated that the top factors influencing student success were skills related to writing (e.g. critical thinking, written and oral communication, and problem-solving skills). As a result, these skills were also reported to be the competencies that are most desired by employers.

The Role of College Writing Skills

In his essay, “The Importance of College Writing Skills,” Richard J. Larson provides an insightful interpretation of college writing. Larson explains that the standards for writing have risen. In today’s society, the general consensus is that someone who writes well is better educated than those who do not. Any student who expects to be successful in college should possess the ability to write well. Given that colleges regard writing as one of the most important ways to ensure that students receive an education second to none, and the fact that colleges are an academic institution, students without the ability to write well would be at a serious disadvantage.

The Importance of College Writing Skills (Summary)

2. Enhancing Critical Thinking Abilities

The most effective method for teaching critical thinking is to allow students to apply the concept to course content. Often professors try to teach critical thinking via a “generic” approach, which is not an effective method for developing critical thinking due to its difficulty in application. Developing critical thinking in a content-rich course makes the job of the instructor easier since students will want to understand what is important and why it is important. Creating a thought-provoking assignment that challenges students to defend their belief on an issue is an effective method of getting students to critically think about an issue. For example, in a political science course, instead of teaching students about the different political ideologies and the history behind them, the professor could have the students choose a political ideology or a current policy and attempt to write a position paper justifying or attacking what they chose to the issue. This would require the students to critically evaluate the current issue or a specific political ideology, understand why it is true or why it is weak, and eventually make a decision about their belief on the subject. Although students often do not want to do more work than is necessary, it is important for the instructor to reinforce that developing these skills will be beneficial for the student in the future. A foreign language course may also provide an effective method for learning critical thinking. Instead of simply trying to teach students vocabulary and grammar, the instructor may set up an argument in the target language about a controversial topic and make the students take a side on the issue and defend it. This will require students to think in the target language, understand views other than their own, and attempt to communicate persuasively, and it can make language learning more meaningful and fun for the students.

Students will spend countless hours and days in college developing their intellectual capacities, yet one of the most valuable skills that is difficult to develop is the ability to think. In our global society with quick access to knowledge in almost every field, thinking may seem overshadowed by other information-based skills. However, the ability to think critically, applying advanced clarity and accuracy in understanding and evaluating what is true or false, is vital. The term critical thinking is used to describe any mode of thinking that is of good quality, and its reliance on knowledge is only a selective one. It is a complex thought process that is purposeful, reflective, metacognitive, clear, and logical with the goal of deciding what to believe or what to do. As difficult as critical thinking is to define, it is just as difficult to teach to others. Critical thinking involves problem-solving, decision-making, and taking a position and defending it. With its numerous applications and diverse definitions, teaching critical thinking and the disposition to use it can best be accomplished through an equally diverse set of teaching methods.

3. Effective Communication through Writing

Poor grammar and writing skills can affect the careers of university graduates. Good writing skills can be a main point of difference when it comes to getting a job. The job market is a competitive place at the best of times, especially true for graduates coming into it. At the moment, it is tougher than it has been for years because of the global economic downturn which began in 2008. Nowadays, there are nevertheless many young people who may have a degree but are struggling to get onto the primary step of the career ladder just because of the level of competition for jobs. This generally means that the only thing that differentiates one graduate from any other applicant is their form of communication. It is still a somewhat common belief among employers that university graduates will have good verbal or written communication skills. An applicant that, on paper, provides evidence of good writing skills with the grammar to match will stand out. Taking into account the functional nature of written communication in the modern workplace, it is writing skills that many employers find to be most important for a prospective employee.

Introduction: Effective communication skills play a crucial role in the success of an organization. Whether an individual works for a small organization or a large entity, effective communication is the key to success. Take the example of a worldwide business entity; there, effective communication is the key element to the success of the enterprise in terms of the transfer of information and the decision-making process. A multitalented person is one who can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. While verbal communication is essential, so is the ability to express one’s thoughts in writing. This is where writing skills become significantly important.

4. Building a Strong Foundation for Academic Success

“The defensive program describing the grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors in students’ papers is probably hurting faculty members more than it is helping students… students basically see writing as a surface phenomenon, one best “acquired” the rough draft will light the first learned it well any serious contemplation about detailed criteria for better writing”.

Another study found that students who are required to take a remedial English course in college are 50% less likely to earn a degree. This means that a student who does not develop their writing skills before or during college is going to greatly lengthen the amount of time it takes to earn a degree, and is more likely not to earn a degree at all. With the high cost of tuition at many schools, it is no surprise that writing skills have become a make or break for many students seeking to attend college. In response to the growing importance of writing skills in higher education, one college professor wrote:

Students who can write well are at an academic advantage, whether they are tasked with writing a report in high school or a college essay. Multiple studies have shown that students who are competent writers tend to earn higher grades in school than those who are not. This is no different at the college level; in fact, students can expect even greater repercussions to their GPA due to writing poorly. One study found that 56% of two-year and four-year colleges have entering students take a writing assessment for class placement; of those institutions, 81 percent used the assessment to place students into a writing course. This means that if a student is not prepared to begin writing at the college level, they will likely be placed in a basic course which will slow the progress of their degree.

5. Expanding Career Opportunities

Another way that a college education can increase one’s career opportunities is by providing an individual with a greater knowledge of their field and a more in-depth understanding of their industry. As college graduates progress in their careers and gain valuable experience, they will be able to obtain high level management positions. These positions are often reserved for candidates who are able to effectively contribute to the company’s goals and make improvements to organizational structure and efficiency. High level management positions require an individual to have the ability to make decisions that will improve the organization’s performance. This kind of critical thinking often requires an in-depth understanding of the field and the confidence to make difficult decisions. College graduates who are able to apply the knowledge that they’ve learned and work towards improving themselves will have a significant advantage when trying to reach these types of positions.

One of the most important benefits of a college education is that it provides individuals with the skills and knowledge that are necessary to increase their career opportunities. The knowledge and skills that one develops through college education can be directly applied to on-the-job tasks. This will increase the chances of promotion within an organization. The fact that college education provides individuals with valuable skills is something that can’t be disputed. These skills are an invaluable asset in the job market. They will provide college graduates with many short and long term benefits, and help set the stage for a rewarding career.