Hitting The Target:
How to Improve Your Written Communications

© 2007 By Anna Forsyth
All Rights Reserved. Printed with Permission

In any course of study, the majority of assessments and assignments will involve some form of written communication. Therefore, it is essential to learn the art of communicating effectively. Following the guidelines outlined here could be just the boost for your grade average that you need, or even the difference between a pass and a fail. Imagine that effective communication is like archery, and make it your aim to hit that target!

Keep the following pointers in mind when planning an assignment or essay:

1. Have a point

An arrow without a point would be a blunt stick. Have you ever tried hitting a target with one of those? The more focused you are on the point, the higher the likelihood that you will reach the target.

While we’re on that point (pun intended), do you know your target?

Read the question or problem, then read it again. Be absolutely sure that you understand what you are aiming at, or what the question is. Then once you do, line it up and take aim.

2. Streamline

Ever wondered why arrows have feathers? They put them on there to streamline the arrow and help guide it in the direction of the target. Make sure that all your feathers (your sub-points) all lead to the eventual target. Even though it might be your most profound point, or your most brilliant piece of writing, if it doesn’t get you to where you want to go – get rid of it!

Make it your goal to use precise language throughout your writing and to be as specific as possible. Don’t beat around the bush too much and make sure that you are communicating exactly what you want to get across.

It is fine to make a detour in your writing, as long as it is necessary and not just a wild goose chase!

Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Does this really make sense? Read widely and often. Keen readers make great writers, because they understand what works from the reader’s perspective. If you’ve never read an academic essay on anthropology, how will you know how to write one?

3. Strengthen your aim

In archery, if there is not enough force behind the arrow, it is likely to fall short of the target. In any written communication, it is important to back-up your points and convince the reader that you know your subject. Including enough support material will ensure that your writing is strong and convincing. If you find this difficult, ask yourself if you have done enough research and ground work. Maybe you need to go back and re-visit your material.

If you are given a choice of topics to write about, make sure you choose one that you believe in. Avoid topics that are completely new to you, unless you are sure that you have enough time and access to resources to pull it off.

4. Train to win

If you know that you are weak in certain areas, such as grammar, spelling or writing essays, most schools will offer courses that you can take advantage of. It might be a wise idea to invest in a good dictionary, thesaurus and encyclopedia and there are numerous resources available for free online.

If you have a friend or classmate who is particularly strong in an area that you struggle with, ask them to read through your work and to offer their advice. Read through the work of others and take note of the techniques they use to get their points across or any mistakes that they have made so that you can avoid them in your own writing.

When you receive comments on your writing, take a note of them and use them as training tips to improve your communication, rather than feeling discouraged. Any feedback you receive will bring you a step closer to improving your communication.

The most important part of the writing process is the editing. Don’t allow yourself to hand in anything that you have not checked through at least once for simple spelling and grammar errors and errors of sense.

Print out a draft and write notes on it or highlight areas that need improvement. Sometimes reading it in this format will help you to pick up mistakes that you have missed on the computer. (This doesn’t mean you should skip the spell check though.)

It might pay to have a small break between edits or drafts and to come back to it with a clear head. When you have been working hard on a piece of writing, it is easy to get tangled up and lose perspective. Take regular breaks to clear your head and refuel. Go for a walk or take a power nap.

With these pointers in mind, you will have the skills to improve your written communication in any area and to hit that target every time. Ready, aim, fire!

*****

Anna-Kaye Forsyth is a freelance writer for education, and a content developer for interactive whiteboard company Smart Board in New Zealand. She holds a Batchelor of Music Education from the University of Auckland. Anna is the author of 3 compilations of thinking hats lesson plans for teachers, which are due for release soon through Curriculum Concepts. Currently, Anna is working freelance to support herself as she pursues a career as a singer/songwriter.

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