On Writing

Saturday Ambassador

Greetings! I am the Saturday Student Ambassador of the AI Photography Department. Welcome to my world.

 

My goal in this forum is to provide food for thought each week on topics ranging from photography tips and techniques that I find useful to how to become a more organized and productive student. I will present some topics for discussion, but please feel free to ask any pertinent question or initiate discourse on a relevant subject.

 

This week, I want to discuss writing skills and their importance in the professional environment:
 

Throughout history, the development of written language and the subsequent ability to communicate with depth and precision has been paramount to human progress. As technology evolves, however, the proper and skilled use of language has been degraded. For example, television can provide an interesting visual experience, but rarely matches the depth of insight found in literature. Moreover, it is someone else’s vision rather than that which arises from your own imagination. Texting on a tiny keypad is made easier by employing shortcuts and acronyms. Over time, however, this “relaxed” attitude toward language has become an accepted manner of communication in our society.

 

Archimedes Thoughtful, Domenico Fetti, 1620 http://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/fetti.php

Regardless of your personal approach to the English language, a line must be drawn in academic and professional applications. This does not imply that you need to appear pompous by employing language no one understands; it simply means that clear, concise and accurate information presented in an interesting and professional way will impact a broader audience and garner respect from colleagues and potential clients. It also reduces the possibility of propagating incorrect information – a problem which plagues our society.

 

Here are some things you can do to improve your vocabulary and writing skills:

 

§  If you encounter an unfamiliar word, look it up. Then try to use it at every available opportunity for a while; it will eventually become integrated into your working vocabulary.

§  Spelling/grammar checking in Microsoft Word or in the discussion areas in the classroom is great. However, don’t rely solely on its accuracy. It does not always interpret your intent correctly.

§  Proof read everything you write; we are all guilty of typographical errors and our fingers don’t always move at the same speed as our brains. The best way to identify errors in a document is to read it aloud.

§  Utilize AI’s Writing Center, accessible through the Campus Common. This is a valuable resource available to all students.

§  Ask questions! If you don’t know, find out. No one is going to deliver information to you on a silver platter; college is all about questing for knowledge.

 

~Saturday Ambassador

 

Source:

 

Fetti, Domenico. “Archimedes Thoughtful, 1620”. Art Experts. 2013. Web. June 17, 2013. <http://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/fetti.php>