05 - Writing with Purpose

Class: CSCE-331

Notes:

Brainstorming Techniques

• Freewriting
  • Write about anything that comes to mind without any interactions and without worrying about spell or the correctness of the ideas
• Clustering
  • Helpful if you are a visual learner
  • Start by writing your topic in the middle of a piece of paper and circle it
  • In a ring around your topic circle, write the main subtopics and draw lines connecting them back to the main topic.
• Journaling
  • The more you write, the easier it gets
  • Record your reactions to something you have seen or read, use descriptions.
• Still stuck?
  • Maybe you need to research more or just need a break
  • Do something that may spark your creativity

How to store chewed gum?

• Put the gum on the window
• Humidifiers to preserve gum
• They do not take notes
• Container idea ... details
• This is how NOT to brainstorm!

Writing Structure (How to Write Effectively)

• Know our Audience
  • You can adjust your formality and form
• Identify your Audience's Needs and motivations
  • How would they benefit from your message
• Identify your Theme
  • Be creative
• Create an Outline
  • Will help you focus your thoughts
• Pay attention to Structure
  • Make long messages as short as possible
  • Use sub-headers, bullet points to break up your text
• Check for Errors
  • Make sure you don't look dumb
• Proofread
  • It is easy to make some mistakes when you are reading your own work
  • Ask someone to read your doc out load.

Writing in the Workplace

• "I write 60% of my time"
  • Something often overlook by technical people
• You think you are going to solve math problems, but there is some of that, but there is a lot more than just doing math pen to paper
• If you cannot sent an email and make a point to a customer you will have a handy cap.
• You need to have good communication skills.

While technical skills are highly valued in the industry, this video emphasizes the importance of writing and communicating since workers in many professions spend around 60-70% of their time on these tasks. Without strong written and verbal communication skills, even highly technical workers might struggle to perform their jobs effectively.