When businesses say that students write poorly, they mean that students do not write decent English. Most students are unable to think rationally or to argue reasonably. Higher education requirements seem to be a problem for students, as they are not in a position to do what is required. University students are unable to express themselves when they write. They cannot differentiate between a sentence, a verb or a noun, and they do not know where apostrophes should be used. The other problem is that they tend to use the wrong tense when writing. This is usually caused by the educational system, which encourages length instead of precision (hbr.org). Clarity is the most important aspect when it comes to writing, but students are not aware of this. E-mails and instant messaging have also contributed to the poor communication skills among students. They have become so accustomed to instant messaging to the point that quality writing is no longer a consideration. This has made it difficult for them to put together clear and coherent ideas (NBC news.com). Furthermore, students no longer have a passion for reading and are now depending on the internet as their source of information.
Good writing means using decent English, and having the ability to write in a logical manner. It involves taking one’s time to write quality work rather than focusing on speed. Moreover, one has to arrange words and phrases in a coherent manner so as to create well-formed sentences. Good grammar is also an important element in good writing. A good writer should be able to express him or herself clearly and logically. Reading can help students become good writers, since books are rich sources of information. It also helps the person to have good vocabulary and spell words correctly. A good writer does not find it difficult to follow logical arguments and answer questions articulately. He or she should be able to take good notes and plan time wisely. Moreover, good writing means that one has the basic study skills (independent.co.uk). Business students need these skills because they will be required to write business letters, emails and memos when they get employed. Organisations will also require them to write company profiles and case studies and in this case, good writing skills will be necessary. Lack of these skills could cost them their jobs in future, and some of them will not even find employment.
Personally, my communication skills have improved over the years. I used to be a poor writer until I discovered that reading is a very effective way for those who want to improve their skills in writing. I have developed a passion for language and literature and each day I make sure that I have read at least one book or magazine. I also avoid relying too much on the internet as a source of information. However, I have encountered some problems in my attempt to become an excellent writer. For instance, since I am used to instant messaging and text messaging, I find it difficult to write formal letters. This sometimes affects the way I communicate, and sometimes I use slang in cases where I am supposed to use formal language. One skill I have not managed to learn is time management, but with the help of my tutors, I am making progress in this sector. Reading has really played a big role in improving my writing skills and I plan to increase the number of materials I read in a week.
Works Cited
Silverman, David. “Why Is Business Writing So Bad?” Harvard Business Review. 10 February
2009. Web.
“University students: They can't write, spell or present an argument.” Independent. 24 May 2006.
Web.
“Business schools take aim at bad writing”. NBC News. 12 May 2006. Web.
