Why Are SAT Writing Scores Declining?

Unfortunately, writing scores are the only scores on the decline. Math and reading scores have also declined. In fact, only 43% of the graduating class of 2011 scored high enough to indicate they have the basic skills to get them through college. (Basically, anyone who scores under a 1550 has less than a 65% chance of scoring a B- or higher in college classes. In other words, if you don’t score a 1550 or higher, you’re going to have a tough time making it through college.)

But why is this happening? And why are writing skills (in particular) dropping so much?

Teachers blame the following:

• Lack of discipline in class—if the class isn’t under control, the kids don’t learn
• Texting and email has popularized nonstandard methods of writing, usurping proper writing techniques and standards
• Cultural influence—it’s popular to write using incorrect English, especially slang, which undermines whatever writing skills kids may have picked up in class

So What if Our Generation Can’t Write? Does it Matter?

If you can communicate with your boss via casual emails and you don’t have to write flowery poetry to win over a date, is it important to know how to write well? Why emphasize writing skills in this day and age? Because writing skills do matter—especially in the business world.

Professional Communication Requires Excellent English

You might be able to get away with some slang here and there, but you’ll need to be able to speak and write professionally just to get your foot in the door and to maintain the respect of your colleagues. Even software engineers need to document processes and findings, and even chemists have to record findings and write up proposals. You’re going to need solid writing skills to succeed in most professions; you’ll find people will judge you by your writing skills, even if the job you’re gunning for doesn’t have the phrase “writing skills” in the description.

Today’s Young Professionals Are Competing on a Global Level

It may be cool to text your friends to determine where you’re meeting for happy hour, but you’ll need to use professional language to compete with the foreigners coming over with impeccable English and writing skills—those people who want your job. It’s time to get concerned when people who studied English as their second language write better cover letters, resumes, power point presentations, reports, and study summaries than you do.

Can Writing Practice Improve Critical Thinking Skills?

There’s yet another reason to work on your writing skills. In a study conducted by Ian Quitdamo and Martha Kurtz at Central Washington University, college students were enrolled in two programs: one that provided ongoing writing practice, and one that did not. At the end of the study, both sets of students took a critical thinking skill assessment test. The students who had participated in the writing practice program performed, on average, nine times better than the students that did not get the writing practice.

Writing Skills – Improve Them While You Can!

If you’re a college student, be sure to take core writing and English courses to improve your writing skills before you have to start interviewing. It’s important to understand the basics of business communication and to get those writing skills down pat. You’ll be glad you did when that hard work pays off!

If you’ve asked yourself these questions, then it may make sense for you to look into a degree in writing. In today’s world of global shared information organizations are always posting jobs on career websites for writers ranging from technical writers to research assistants. The scope is very broad, therefore you have decide what type of writing you want to do and then look for a program that is right for you.

Fortunately there are several good writing programs available online, where you can work at your own pace, completing your degree on your own timetable. Even though there are literally hundreds of jobs that require good writing skills, here are just a few online writing programs that offer a direct avenue to some of the more popular writing careers.

1) Technical Writing

Undoubtedly the most lucrative career in writing, technical writing is not limited to composing prose about engineering or computer science. Technical writing is simply the catch phrase used to describe documentation specific to any one industry, whether it be business, law, medicine, insurance, education, or anything that requires detailed knowledge. For example, if you were (or are) a professional in union labor, you could supplement your income by writing articles, blogs, or newsletters for any one of the hundreds of labor unions or professional groups that are out there.

Of course, even if you have an affinity for the written word, a degree in technical writing gives you credibility. According to the website DegreeDirectory.org, the top three online technical writing bachelor degree programs can be found at Kaplan University (which offers a BS in Communications), University of Phoenix (which offers a BA in English, a BS in Business Communications, and a BS in Business Culture and Communication), and Walden University, which offers bachelor business degrees in Communication, New Media, and Public Relations). With degrees such as these you could pursue a career as an editor, research analyst, grant writer, blogger, website content creator, business analyst, legal assistant, and of course, writer.

2) Journalism

Because the Web has created such a need for content, the need for online journalists has boomed in the last 10 years. As many newspapers have quickly discovered online journalism is a different animal than the articles you read in the paper, and therefore requires a distinct type of training. The nuances are subtle, however, the writers who grasp them are the ones whose online articles get read (and thus, get the jobs).

The website JournalismDegree.net cites the top three online journalism degree programs as University of Massachusetts, where you can hone your skills for careers in everything from travel writing to art reviewer to war correspondent; University of Phoenix, where you can get an AA or BA in Communications. This is particularly valuable in that the program focuses on communication technologies such as social networking, blogging, website design, search engine optimization, and trending; all of which are the lynch pins to getting your articles read in a sea of thousands of Internet article options. And finally, there’s Kaplan University, where you can earn a BS in Communication, with emphasis on tech media, psychology, sociology and research.

3) Creative Writing

If you’ve had a hankering to write the Great American Novel, then you might want to consider a degree in creative writing. Even though writing books is the least lucrative writing career (unless, of course, you become the next Stephen King or Daniel Steele), a degree in creative writing helps you get hired on as a essay blogger for specific industry magazines and websites (such as parenting, horsemanship, cooking, travel, photography, etc.). And even though you may not be able to earn your living writing articles and books, you could supplement your income nicely.

Since creative writing is a broad study there are more places than ever at which you can obtain your online degree. One of the most popular is UCLA’s Extension Writers Program, where you can obtain an online certificate in anything from creative writing to screenwriting, and be taught by some of the most noted professors in the entertainment industry.

If all you want to do is get your feet wet by taking a few writing courses to brush up your existing skills, the website DiplomaGuide.com offers a list of universities (ranging from University of Utah to MIT) that offer writing courses without the commitment of a degree. The website conveniently categorizes the courses by the type of writing you’re interested in learning, such as fiction, screenwriting, essay, editing, proofreading and more.

So if you’ve seriously been considering getting your thoughts down on paper, and having someone pay you for the opportunity to do so, a writing degree may just be what you need to help you get your foot in that door. After all, when considering a career change there no time like “write” now.

College officials said that the online bachelor’s degree in creative writing for entertainment focuses on helping students perfect their story writing. The 32-month curriculum incorporates courses such as visual storytelling, narrative structures, character development, scriptwriting and storyboarding elements.

Graduates of this program will be equipped to work on projects that involve movies, video games, television, websites or mobile devices.

The online master’s degree in new media journalism offers students a 12-month program that will enable enrollees to write for the digital landscape.

"[The courses] are designed to help students understand how to create content geared towards those outlets, and prepare them to be current with the new media tools available today," said Pat Bishop, director of business schools at the university.

The web-based curriculum combines the concepts of traditional journalism with aspects of communication technology.