Post #6
1. Communication Skills
1.3. Writing

When speaking about work or career matters, there is one writing skill that you will need at any job or any position – the skill of writing e-mails and letters. If you want to master any type of written communication in English, we suggest you download MGIMO Business Correspondence book for Russian speakers (download here http://www.twirpx.com/file/639119/) and study it block by block, if possible - with a teacher who can correct you.

Here are a few more quick and simple writing tips:
• Structure. Whether you’re writing an e-mail, a press release, a report or a motivation letter, remember – structure is key. The reader should be able to easily follow your logic.

• Plain English. Don’t overcomplicate your writing with difficult tenses or jargon words. If you can use past, present or future simple in a sentence – use it. The reader will rarely appreciate the complexity of your language, but will love you for sparing his/her time.

• Emotional writing. Don’t overuse pompous words (extremely, strongly, greatly etc.) but at the same time don’t be too strict in writing e-mails, which are by nature a more easygoing method of communication. Try to even out the tone of your writing. Don’t be too emotional, yet try to come across as ‘open to dialogue’.

• Prepositions. Ex. At your disposal, for rent, in person, opinion on, meet the needs of etc. These small, yet tricky words give away your mastery of English. There are preposition exercises in the MGIMO textbook where you can practice. You can also ask your tutor to organize a preposition marathon for you, where you fill out pages and pages of prepositions until you make no mistake at all.

The essentials of writing and tips on writing all types of specific work documents can be found here -> https://www.skillsyouneed.com/writing-skills.html.

#softskills@flessibilita, #communication@flessibilita