Justification for the Development
of Good Writing Skills
Our critical thinking text speaks of documentation as more than merely
writing something down. [T]hought must go into deciding the best place
to record things, the best things to record and how to word what is to
be recorded. What gets written down takes on special significance because
it is what everyone can see. It has to make sense, be correctly stated
and present information in a clear organized way. Proper spelling, grammar
and vocabulary are a reflection of the nurse's ability to communicate.
Poor spelling, grammar and inadequate documentation do not create the
professionalism registered nurses need to convey in today's health care
setting. Joanne Dude, CLC Nursing Faculty.
In the Fall semester, I require students in MIM 111 (Radiographic Anatomy
& Positioning I) to research and submit a written report on ten different
types of fractures. The Spring semester is even worse. MIM 113 (Radiographic
Anatomy & Positioning II) includes a unit on radiographic anatomy
and positioning of the vertebral column. The test for this unit is a rather
involved research paper, which must be submitted to me NO LATER THAN THE
MONDAY FOLLOWING SPRING BREAK. Tom Vogl, CLC Medical Imaging Faculty.
As a historian, I base my interpretations of history on evidence left
to me: were it not for those who write, we would know little of the world
which came before us--nor what to do with the world we have. Even the
act of E-mail requires that you know how to write, to convey ideas--how
can we know what matters to individuals if they cannot articulate in some
way and with some clarity ideas and information. My classes, regardless
of level, all have a writing requirement both on tests and papers. I do
not think you can consider yourself a college graduate if you can not
write well. Phyllis Soybel, CLC History Faculty
[T]here is no question that they (students) must be able to write well.
Documentation on medical records assumes that the writer has the ability
to convey observations accurately and objectively. The legal ramifications
of not doing so are enormous. We do require that students demonstrate
verbal ability on a standardized test in order to be eligible for the
nursing program. Talk to the nursing faculty and they will tell you. Dee
Swan, CLC Nursing Faculty.
Reducing thoughts to writing helps develop the critical and creative
thinking abilities of the individual. Writing gives the individual a chance
to review, analyze, organize, clarify and verify the outcome of their
thought process.. Reme Tesch, CLC Phlebotomy Faculty.
I think writing indicates an ability to analyze a problem and present
a solution at a level that others can understand. I also think the teacher
must ask questions at the analysis level or higher. The nursing care plans
require writing at this level and must be technically correct. Tana
Durnbaugh, CLC Nursing faculty.
As a part of this course you will be responsible for completing a research
paper on a disease or ailment that affects humans. The purpose of this
paper is NOT to burden you with more work because I like to see you suffer.
The ability to write effectively is a critically important skill to have
in any job field. It not only improves your ability to communicate, but
it also improves organization and research proficiency; skills critical
to success in allied health and related science fields. The preparation
of this paper will also increase your knowledge about a disease or ailment
as its relates to human anatomy and physiology. Shane Jones, CLC Biology
Faculty quoted from an assignment in his Anatomy and Physiology class.
Have you ever read a verbatim transcript of a conversation? Usually it
is "cleaned up" for the page, i.e. grammar corrected and ideas
completed. But if you ever get a chance to read a truly verbatim transcript,
the unclear and incomplete thoughts seem to leap out at you. Written communication
is the closest people can get to true communication of ideas. Clarity,
organization, conciseness, and support are just some of the elements which
are greatly enhanced in well written communication. Become empowered.
Write clearly. Be fully engaged in the life around you.
Michael Latza, CLC English / Communication Arts Faculty.
The American playwright August Wilson described the act of writing as
"walking down the landscape of the self," in other words, a
journey of self-discovery, reflection, and exploration. Understanding
yourself, your skills, and how to clearly express them in writing is fundamental
to success in college and beyond. Mary Ann Bretzlauf CLC English /
Communication Arts Faculty.
Students attending College of Lake County are not just being trained
to be nurses, X-ray technicians or dental assistants, they are receiving
a college education. A college education is supposed to be more rigorous
than high school and should prepare people to be intelligent, productive
citizens. Therefore, college-educated adults in our society are expected
to be able to write well regardless of their career and it is my philosophy
to encourage students to do this through the assignment of essay questions
on quizzes and tests.
In addition, being able to write the answer to an essay question demonstrates
a thorough understanding of material that is often difficult and indicates
that the student is organized enough to be able to demonstrate that understanding
in writing. Bob Remedi, CLC Biology Faculty.
I require students to write an argumentative essay which includes stating
a position and offering reasons for thinking their position is correct
because it forces them to clarify their thinking. It's hard to do and
takes time, but in the end it yields an intelligent, informed opinion,
not just intuitions and prejudices. Laura Osinski, Part-time CLC Humanities
Instructor.
Good writing is clear thinking made visible. Bill Wheeler
Writing is thinking on paper. William Zinsser, author of On Writing
Well.
"How do I know what I think until I see what I say" - E. M.
Forster
"First and foremost, I write for myself. Writing has been for a
long time my major tool for self-instruction and self-development"
- Toni Cade Bambara
"The writer may write to inform, to explain, to entertain, to persuade,
but whatever the purpose there should be first of all, the satisfaction
of the writer's own learning." - Donald Murray.
The first draft of anything is $&!#. Ernest Hemingway.
Would
you like some help on how to correctly write the answer to essay questions?
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