You are working intensely to improve your writing skills: What are you learning and how are your skills changing? Do you feel differently about writing? Are you on the road to becoming an incurable editor?
Becoming an Incurable Editor
October 21, 2018 by
Hi Professor Young,
I have found that TWH and the BCW are amazing resources to improve my professional writing skills. I am learning so many different formats for different letters such as a complaint letter and a denial letter. These letter formats may very well be useful in my future if I am involved in one of those situations. Since beginning this class I do feel differently about writing. I realize that there is much more to it than just indenting your paragraphs and capitalizing your personal pronouns. I see writing as a practice that anyone can improve on no matter how magnificent they are at it. I now see writing as a challenge which makes it more fun. One of the skills I have majorly improved on is writing and formatting e-mails. I know I properly write e-mails at least three times a week thanks to this class. I believe I am on my way to becoming an incurable editor and finishing this second half of the semester will truly bring me closer to that goal.
All the best,
Shannon
Hi Professor Young,
Since I have been enrolled in this course, my professional writing skills have improved. I have increased my editing skills in multiple aspects. I read my assignments multiple times before I submit them. I do not allow my paragraphs to exceed eight sentences, and I limit the amount of words in my sentences. I learned that it is important to remove information from a sentence if the purpose of the sentence is understood without it. I have become more confident in my writing, and I have become confident in editing my peers’ papers. The most important principle I have learned thus far is how to construct a professional e-mail. I was unaware that I was sending unprofessional e-mails until I enrolled into this course. I will utilize these professional writing skills throughout the rest of my life.
Best regards,
DonDre Harris
Hello Ms. Young,
I feel my writing has changed in its style very much. It is more concise, structured, and I find it easier to keep feelings away from the professional environment of it all. I’ve also learned organization; when I am composing, I strictly compose and do not edit. Then I come back to it with a fresh pair of eyes to edit it.
Hi Professor Young,
This is a late reply, but I thought I would go ahead and write it anyway. Thank you for all the information you have given us so far. Guiding us through the professional writing process. I have learned a lot throughout this semester. Editing, and punctuation, and using less words in a sentence. I am still working on the last one. I feel like I have the knowledge I need to write professional business letters for my future career. Thanks again.
Best Wishes,
Alyssa Lancaster
Hello Professor Young,
While enrolled in this course I’ve found many different ways I can better my professional writing. Skills, such as, comma placement, commonly confused words, and keeping my words straight to the point, that may seem simple but have impacted both my professional and everyday writing.
Along with that, I’ve also seen better attention to my APA style of writing. Thanks to this course I’ve been able to take what I learned and apply it to my other classes that I’m currently enrolled in. I have become a better writer and editor of my work and will continue to do so in the future.
Thank you,
Jessica Miller
Hi Professor Young,
Thanks to your class, I am learning to say more with less words. Having a better understanding of the technical side of writing has made me more efficient. I’ve always enjoyed writing. Now, I enjoy it even more more. Recently, I have found myself editing people while they speak. Incurable? I’m definitely on my way.
Hello Professor Young,
The style of my writing has greatly changed through the course of this class. Prior to this course, I had always been used to “lengthy” writing. I am still working on this but have improved greatly since the beginning of the course. Prior to this course, I believed that length = quality. However; I have learned that “less is more,” when it comes to effective writing. Learning new concepts every week from our text, The Writer’s Handbook and Business Communication and Skills, have helped me improve my grammar in writing. I have a better sense of how to use the active voice, differentiate between commas and semicolons, form subject-verb tense agreements, and so forth. Other concepts I’ve managed to learn through this course is differences between informal emails and formal business letters and their formatting.
Prior to this course, I knew nothing about APA format. I had only been exposed to MLA formatting and when we first had to learn APA I was a bit nervous. However, I do not think APA format is as difficult as I envisioned it to be and that I just needed some time to learn it.
One thing that has benefitted me greatly from this class is the active feedback we receive, both from you and other students as well. I think feedback is crucial in effective writing skills. My previous English courses rarely provided feedback. I enjoy the interaction with other students in this class, it helps me improve my writing skills.
I think this course will help me in becoming an incurable writer. This course basically has the same set up each week; discussions due Thursday, responses by Saturday, and assignments and process messages by Sunday. I think this set up helps me keep a good track of the class. In addition to that, I feel like since we have multiple things due each week it motivates me to keep up with it. It also challenges me and that’s what I believe can help me in becoming an incurable writer.
All the best,
Maria
Hi Professor Young,
First, I have to say that this class is great! The reading material, combined with the practice writing has allowed me to progress so much as an effective writer. One thing I am enjoying most about taking this course is the constructive feedback given after the submission of each of my assignments. As a writer, receiving feedback is a critical and essential part of personal growth, because it allows you to learn and understand the proper ways to apply the different concepts and principles of writing effectively. If I was to recommend a college class to take for first year college students, this class would be it. I feel that this class should be considered foundational to a student’s college journey.
Best regards,
Latora Cain
Hi Professor Young,
I have found both textbooks for class, TWH and BCW, to be incredibly useful. I can easily understand the lesson and the examples help to demonstrate the lesson in action. Your feedback has been very helpful in shaping my writing skills in both business and personal communication. I have put several lessons into practice in my daily writings, and I can visibly see the results. I feel one of my best improvements is e-mail communication; I lacked connection to my reader, and with the text’s examples I could see how this altered the relationship. I am learning something new each week when it comes to writing and editing, and I appreciate the detailed explanation of why this lesson is important in my communication.
Professor Young has helped me prioritize writing to be a fine-tuned skill. Whether you are a student, professional, or homemaker her books provide immediate instruction on improving your writing. The information contained in her books have taught me to be patient in my writing and to edit, edit, edit. Her books provide examples and exercises that will make you think differently, and you will see results driven by detail.
Professor Young’s challenging class has been instrumental for introduction and review of the different types of communication. The on-line discussions allow for reinforcement of the assigned material to further hone your skills. Also, the class has allowed me an opportunity to share personal experiences with other students on communication skills that are necessary in today’s professional environment.
Thank you!
Due to Professor Young’s class that I am enrolled in and the textbooks that we use every week, my writing has improved dramatically. I have been able to learn new information about things I thought I already had mastered like pronouns and commas. Also, due to the weekly reading I have been able to improve my reading and focus skills. With that being said, I think the most influential part of the course so far is how much I have learned about the professional business environment. Not only do I know how to write business documents, but now I know how to properly communicate on the job. This class forces me to challenge myself to improve my writing every week as the content gets more challenging. Due to this, I think I am well on my way to becoming an incurable editor. Professor Young has truly pushed me to be the best writer I can be and I highly recommend these textbooks and her course.
Hello Professor Young,
I am thoroughly enjoying both the BCW and the TWH texts. To simply say they have changed my writing skills would be an understatement. From editing; (when in doubt leave it out), to conciseness; (less is more), I do feel differently about writing in that I no longer view it as a chore.
I’m looking forward to the second half of the semester!
Best,
Tony
I really llike your ᴡriting style, wondeгful info , thanks
for puttinng up : D.