Communicating in Writing

Introduction

Written communication is as diverse as verbal and nonverbal communication. It draws on individual languages, dialects, experiences, and education to create a form of communication that can extend beyond words and actions. Although not as old as verbal and nonverbal communication, writing has been in existence in some form or another for over 5,500 years.

Using Written Communication

Unless you hold an English degree or work as a professional writer for a living, chances are good that you are at least a little bit intimidated by the prospect of written communication. If you're afraid of looking inadequate in terms of your ability to write and use proper grammar, syntax, and punctuation (or if you've had a bad experience with the misunderstandings that can arise from an email message gone wrong), you're not alone. Written communication is fraught with the potential for challenges, mistakes, and downright catastrophes.

At the same time, written communication has never been more important than it is in today's technological age. Personal communication devices, emails, memos, and text messages are among the most popular methods of communication in both the business world and among friends. Each of these relies on using the written word to convey meaning.