{"id":70689,"date":"2014-05-05T13:45:49","date_gmt":"2014-05-05T18:45:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=70689"},"modified":"2014-05-04T19:31:16","modified_gmt":"2014-05-05T00:31:16","slug":"talking-it-out-thoughts-on-professional-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=70689","title":{"rendered":"Talking It Out: Thoughts On Professional Writing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Angela J.A. Kent, Head Editor, INALJ-Virtual Work<\/a><\/p>\n

Talking It Out: Thoughts On Professional Writing<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"AngelaKent\"<\/a>The dreaded blank screen and blinking cursor.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s preparing a cover letter, writing a paper for class, creating a work presentation, or drafting a report for your boss, professional\u00a0writing can be tough.<\/p>\n

Sometimes the link between your thoughts in your head and getting them down on paper is the oft-missed verbal expression of those thoughts.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what I mean:<\/p>\n

Talking it out.<\/strong> Whether it\u2019s a 5-minute elevator pitch or a 5-year plan, the actual verbalization of those career goals and plans has helped me\u00a0focus on job searches and contributed to my overall confidence in my career plans.<\/p>\n

Take note of how you answer one of the following questions when asked in social or professional settings: (1) \u201cWhat do you do?\u201d or (2) \u201cWhat\u00a0type of work are you interested in?\u201d Never mind the why or the how, but rather focus on what it is you are choosing to highlight about your\u00a0work or the work you\u2019re interested in. Thinking about what you tell people first about your work (or want to do) is a signal of the type of work\u00a0you prioritize and are passionate about.<\/p>\n

Write like you speak (minus the \u201clikes\u201d or \u201cums\u201d).<\/strong> If you tend to do better during interviews or just conversations in general, approach your\u00a0cover letter or writing samples like you would a face-to-face conversation.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s because there\u2019s some greater sense of urgency to trying to answer a verbal question or if the actual verbalization of my\u00a0thoughts make it easier to then write it down, but taking this approach always feels less daunting than going straight to writing.<\/p>\n

Sometimes job postings will include writing prompts like \u201cdescribe your commitment to [insert industry]\u201d or even more specifically \u201chow do you\u00a0meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed.\u201d But even if there\u2019s no clear prompt, the general question can be presumed to be \u201ctell us why\u00a0you\u2019re interested in working with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

To avoid summarizing your resume, try to think about someone actually asking the question and how you would verbally answer — as directly\u00a0and succinctly as possible. There is something to the casual conversations with friends and family about why you\u2019re applying to a particular job,\u00a0what you like about the job, and why you think you are a fit for the job. In these circumstances, you\u2019re usually explaining these ideas in much\u00a0simpler – yet clearer – terms than you might approach your cover letter.<\/p>\n

Note to self.<\/strong> While I don\u2019t do this often, keeping on hand a personal recorder or just using your voicemail may help with remembering ideas\u00a0and clarifying your thoughts.<\/p>\n

Professional writings rarely happen in one sitting for me, but I\u2019m always thinking about what I need and want to write about. Sometimes it can\u00a0be easier to record those thoughts verbally than on literal or digital pen and paper. It\u2019s no wonder that there are a ton of apps for voice memos<\/a>\u00a0and voice notes<\/a> out there.<\/p>\n

Listen.<\/strong> From experience, I know that listening to my writing always leads to a better final draft. Running your writing through a text-to-speech\u00a0app is so easy and can be done without the assistance of an editor. It\u2019s like a second set of ears, when you don\u2019t have a second set of eyes.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve used Chrome Speak<\/a> in the past and now use the Mac integrated text-to-speech<\/a> tool. Windows also supports a text-to-speech program.\u00a0The low-tech version of this is to just read your work out loud and catch these same errors.<\/p>\n

Clear your throat.<\/strong> I once heard that the first paragraph of a first draft is all throat clearing. That is, instead of getting to your main point sooner\u00a0in your writing, the first part is taken up by unnecessary summarization.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a fan of putting your main point up front. This style of writing can be particularly effective for the succinct and direct nature of most\u00a0professional writings. In these instances, we don\u2019t have the opportunity to present a background summary with a description of evidence that\u00a0leads to the inevitable answer. Rather, you have only a handful of paragraphs to work with and neither the space nor the time to bury the lead.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re down to the refining stages of your writing look critically at your first few sentences (or even paragraphs) to see how much \u201cthroat\u00a0clearing\u201d exists and where your actual main point is located. Pushing your main point closer to the beginning of your piece can usually make for\u00a0more effective and persuasive writing.<\/p>\n

Watch and Learn.<\/strong> If you ever have the chance to record and watch your presentations, do it! As cringeworthy as you might feel about it,\u00a0listening to your verbal ticks can help with your writing. Many of us use the same transition terms in writing, like \u201cthat is,\u201d or \u201cin so much as.\u201d If\u00a0you\u2019re trying to get rid of repeated terms in your writing, have a closer listen to how you bridge your ideas in conversation.<\/p>\n

Happy writing!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Angela J.A. Kent, Head Editor, INALJ-Virtual Work Talking It Out: Thoughts On Professional Writing The dreaded blank screen and blinking cursor. Whether it\u2019s preparing a cover letter, writing a paper for class, creating a work presentation, or drafting a report for your boss, professional\u00a0writing can be tough. Sometimes the link between your thoughts in your…<\/p>\n

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