IvyWise Resources

Why Mastering Writing Matters and How to Get There

By Seamus, IvyWise Tutor

Chances are that if you are reading this, you, or someone you know, would like to improve their writing. Indeed, writing competently is a key strength, and mastering it will certainly pay dividends. The effort invested in this skill offers a whole host of rewards, both in the short, medium, and long term.

In fact, writing well could even be seen as a superpower that enhances all of a student’s other skills—in school, college, and future careers. Noted leaders such as Warren Buffett and Bill Gates have singled out written communication skills as the deciding factor for professional success.

The Benefits of Strong Writing Skills

By obtaining solid writing skills early on, students set themselves up for success later in their school years. College courses often require students to submit various writing assignments, including reports, research papers, and full-length essays. By developing strong writing skills now, students can be prepared for and excel in their college courses.

And, of course, let’s not forget the benefits a savvy writer enjoys in the workplace—being able to summarize scientific research coherently, put forth an argument for a business acquisition with verve, or present a law case convincingly.

All these high-level accomplishments trace their way back to skills that can be acquired at a much earlier age. In other words, students who learn to write well will reap the benefits over their entire lives.

How Writing Helps with Self-Expression 

Writing is one of the most important skills our children can master at an early age because it is a gateway to learning other concepts in school. Teachers understand this and spend their time trying to help develop our students’ writing by helping them with organization, strengthening vocabulary, and showing them how to use grammar correctly.

By reading literature from various genres, students can familiarize themselves with different writing styles. Genres like poetry, short essays, or non-fiction provide students with the opportunity to learn more about themselves. An added benefit is the realization that writing is a tool in which students can express themselves.

Many famous writers, even those that dabble in fiction, pull from their own experiences and surroundings. By writing, you can discover new and exciting ways to frame and reflect on your life experiences—a tool that will come in handy once it is time to tackle your personal statement.

Writing is a Process 

The first step in mastering writing is to realize that even very proficient writers don’t always create inspiring prose in a matter of minutes. Chapters don’t simply form themselves in a writer’s mind and then get effortlessly and flawlessly transformed into the written word in one, even flow. Even the most respected writers (Shakespeare and Hemingway among them) took their work through, at least, several drafts. Visit any museum dedicated to a writer, and you’ll marvel at manuscripts full of crossed-out text and scribbled notes in the margins.

Students will benefit from realizing that writing almost always requires a series of information gathering, composing, and revising steps before any written project you deliver is ready. Oftentimes, the misperception is that writing simply happens, and others can never get better. But that is far from the truth.

Any idea, no matter of roughly formed it is, can be coaxed and molded into a fully fleshed piece of writing. Whether all you have is one sentence or one page, as long as you commit yourself to the process, your writing project can be developed into a cohesive and impactful piece of work that you will be proud of!

How Mentorship Can Help

While writing has many benefits, it is a skill that many students find difficult to master. Others may even struggle to see the importance of writing or feel that the process is tedious. And many may wonder, “will I ever really be able to become the writer I want to be?”

While all these perspectives are valid, many are the result of not being introduced to the steps a seasoned writer follows. The journey from the initial concept to a final, well-crafted piece of work takes various steps—all that can be learned and perfected over time. And while practicing can help improve a student’s writing skills, receiving proper guidance is where the biggest leaps are made.

At IvyWise, our tutors have a variety of specialties and can help students hone their writing abilities through our customized tutoring services and skills coaching. If you are interested in learning how we can help your student further develop their skills, contact us today!

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