Effective Written Communication
The ability to communicate effectively in writing
Effective communication is the ability to present your ideas effectively, efficiently, and when necessary, persuasively. It means being able to be understood by your audience. We communicate and interact with each other constantly in a wide variety of forums – so the methods and styles of our communication vary. In your college and professional lives the most common forms of communication are in writing and in speech. However, you should also develop you ability to communicate with visual images when necessary.
You should be able to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in writing by being able to produce a text and reflect on how your writing has changed. As you consider your written work and prepare your reflection, keep these questions in mind:
- How would you compare your writing ability when you began college with where you are now?
- Can you identify a draft of a paper, or a paper previously written for another course, that shows where you started?
- What work provides good examples of writing that develops and supports a thesis? Do you present your argument logically, with relevant evidence and examples?
- What have you written that shows your ability to handle information and documentation properly – using appropriate citations and reference style?
- Which of your written work best illustrates your ability to write with clear sentences, correct grammar and mechanics, and language that is appropriate for the audience and occasion?
- What areas of your writing do you see as in need of attention?
Criteria for evaluating reflections for Effective Written Communication:
Exemplary |
Satisfactory |
Needs Improvement |
Not Acceptable |
|
Generalizes about writing skills across the body of their work and reflect on how their writing can be further improved. Explains how and why this writing should be considered effective communication for a specific discipline |
Analyzes the strengths and weaknesses within drafts of a single paper or different papers across time. Shows an understanding of purpose and audience for a given assignment |
Identifies steps in the writing process Describes the changes between drafts |
Inappropriate artifact or reflection |