It has been a long process of development and adaptation for me to write for both work and education. In school, I was a beginning writer who had trouble putting my ideas on paper. My writing skills gradually got better as I moved up the grade levels. Writing has always been a key component of communication at work. This includes emails, reports, project proposals, and presentations. The requirements for precision and clarity in professional writing have become noticeably higher, which has motivated me to hone my abilities.
I have worked on various academic writing tasks, including essays, research papers, lab reports, and creative pieces. I eventually learned to adjust to the many approaches and styles that each demanded. I have created business reports, technical documentation, marketing materials, and correspondence with coworkers and clients throughout my professional career. I have built a broad set of talents thanks to various writing styles.
There are a few important ones when it comes to the “rules” or customs I adhere to when writing. Whether writing for a professional or academic audience, these standards include consistent grammar and punctuation. Priorities have always included proper sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation. Additionally, depending on the requirements of each project, I have adhered to different citation styles when writing academically, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. I have followed company or sector-specific style manuals when working.
In my writing, simplicity and clarity have been of utmost importance. My main objective has always been ensuring that my message is concise and precise. In professional communication, it has been crucial to eliminate extraneous jargon and complex language. In addition, I have learnt how to write with the reader in mind, whether professors and peers in academic writing or clients, coworkers, or supervisors in a professional setting.
Although their implementation has improved with time and practice, these principles and norms have remained constant. The demand for accuracy and adherence to these rules grew as I advanced through higher educational levels and assumed greater responsibility at work.
Regarding the “rules” of writing, I recall learning that my early education strongly emphasized fundamental concepts like grammar and spelling. I gained a basic understanding of rules relating to verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and proper spelling. Another fundamental skill I learned was organizing essays and papers with introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions. As my schooling progressed, I learned how crucial accurate citation of sources and refraining from plagiarism were. The importance of writing that is clear, cohesive, and has a logical flow between words and paragraphs has also been emphasized time and time again. Additionally, throughout my academic career, comprehending and writing for a certain audience came up frequently.
Despite my best efforts to follow conventions in my writing, there have been times when I used words that only partially followed etiquette. One instance was when I used everyday language in an academic paper at the beginning of my college career. Utilizing a common expression would help the reader relate to a difficult sociological concept. My professor argued that the formality and professionalism anticipated in scholarly work were undercut. Hence, it was inappropriate for academic writing. This experience taught me the importance of keeping a consistent tone and style in academic writing. It emphasized the significance of accessibility and clarity while advising against certain linguistic choices in academic settings.
In conclusion, my writing development has been characterized by constant growth and adaptation. In school, I was a beginning writer who, over time, developed my abilities. With various document formats and communication approaches, writing has played a significant role in my working life. As I progressed in my schooling and work, the standards and conventions I adhere to have become more polished. The fundamental guidelines for writing I was taught in school continue to direct me, ensuring that my work is always exact, concise, and audience-specific. Even though I occasionally used language that did not conform to expectations, these mistakes served as wonderful teaching opportunities that made me realize how important it is to follow accepted rules in academic and professional writing.
References
American Psychological Association. (2023). First-person pronouns. APA.org.
https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/grammar/first-person-pronouns
Elbow, P. (1999). Inviting the mother tongue: Beyond “mistakes,” “bad English,” and “wrong language.” JAC, (19)3, pp. 359 – 388. https://www.jstor.org/stable/20866251
Knickerbocker, D. (2015). Why zombies matter: The undead as critical posthumanist. Bohemica
Litteraria, 2, pp. 59 – 82. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=808802
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