The Skill of Writing - Personal Statement Example

 The skill of writing Abstract The skill of writing depends on one’s ability to express complex ideas in simple and precise terms and also to integrate materials from different sources. Writing academic paper demands a certain format of composition and stresses on factors like maintaining formal tone, avoiding jargon, observing grammatically correct form and critical-analytical approach of the topic. The writing skill that is developed through the practice of writing academic papers has long-standing influence on any field of study and career.

It gives one the confidence to approach any topic both in academic field or otherwise. Writing is a process that feeds on resources like reading, observation and real-life experience. The genre of academic writing requires extensive reading and research work. The research plays a pivotal role in providing the write-up focus and substance. It makes the composition rich and informative. The writer must have good research skill apart from being an active reader. But the highlight of academic writing is the writing style itself which is formal, grammatically correct and not unnecessarily accessorized with big words.

Above all other aspects it needs proper planning and organization to compose an academic paper. Writing skill I developed during the course When writing an academic essay there is high possibility of getting lost in the overload of information supplied by the research materials. The first task is to zero down on the topic that the writer wants to work on and then sift relevant information to build up the argument of the essay. While deciding upon the argument of the essay the writer has to choose one or more perspectives of approaching the topic.

In the light of that perspective the writer arranges the points in such a way that the argument looks strong and convincing. Academic writing calls for a critical-analytical approach of the topic. The writer should attempt to develop an individual perspective in the essay yet incorporating appropriate elements from the resources as support of his argument. Quotes or paraphrasing from the references wherever necessary makes the essay resourceful and interesting. It also shows the writer’s ability to integrate and tune in information according to the need of the paper.

When using references the writer must be aware of the different referencing styles like MLA, APA, Harvard, and Chicago and strictly adhere to one particular norm. The writing has to be grammatically correct, precise and to the point. The writer’s focus should be on selecting and using appropriate words to give proper expression to the point of view that he or she wants to establish. One should try to avoid using complicated sentences and difficult words and stick to simple expressions. But as it is academic writing one has to maintain the formal tone and be careful of not slipping into informal mode of writing or using slang or jargon.

At every step the write-up has to be reviewed through editing and proof-reading.Application of writing and research skill in other fields and future career With the skill of writing and research one can be confident of approaching any subject area, for it is one skill that is required in any field of learning and application. One may apply the skill to be a research scholar in any chosen field. It opens up innumerable career options. If one knows the basics of good, formal writing one can apply for any kind of job from corporate to academics.

My take on the contribution of research on writing One must have a strong knowledge base and conceptual clarity in order to write academic papers. A good research work is necessary before attempting on any writing assignment as it provides resource for the writer to draw ideas from and gives no scope for writer’s block. It ensures spontaneity.My perception of writing after the course The course has pin pointed the loopholes which I had never taken care of like maintaining the formal tone, doing a thorough planning about organization and presentation of the material.

It has changed my perception of writing from being an art form to no less than any science. I have come to the conclusion that writing is a unique blend of artistic creativity and scientific accuracy.