Improving writing skills!

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I have been a pharmacist since last August and I have received new duties and responsibilities because of my go getter attitude. I went from being a staff pharmacist to an MTM pharmacist to coordinating the MTM services for the region however what I have noticed, especially since the last position that my writing skills on my emails are lacking the clarity and directiveness when compared with other emails from management positions. I always feel self conscious and always recheck my emails a few times before I send them.

I know this is a skill that you learn through school and experience but is there any other suggestions that I can fore-take for the future. A friend of mine suggest to read high level reading books but I am not sure how that would improve my writing skills, except improve my vocabulary. My handicap is that English is the third language I speak and I didn't come to US until I was 14 but it still bothers me that I am not as good as I should be especially for my position.

 

[ancienbon]

Your friend is right

 

[RxPreceptor]

Organization & chart/table construction always helps makes ideas & directions appear more clear. Just don't organize things alphabetically but rather by a parameter that makes sense (i.e. Time, order, medication types (cardiovascular/endocrine/pulmonary/etc.), disease state, acute vs. chronic, etc.). Pharmacists' Letter has some good examples of organizing information under the "pharmacist resources" section.

Additionally, writing paragraphs only 3-4 lines long with spacing are more likely to be read rather than skimmed through as most people do when reading over a giant paragraph of text. This is analogous to how phone #s are in 3-3-4 digit format (& for ease in remembering).

 

[Sine Cura]

At this point in your life you are unlikely to improve your command of English vocabulary and grammar to be as effortless as that of a native English speaker (that is, avoiding run-on sentences, solecisms like "directiveness" and "fore-take," omitting the definite article before U.S., etc.).

However, at least you're aware that clarity and directness are key to getting your point across. As long as you get to the point and don't ramble, I don't see how it would be much of a hindrance in your current position.

 

[rph3664]

You seem to have excellent writing skills, based on what I see here, ESPECIALLY for someone for whom English is their THIRD language.

I see posters here who use textese or can barely put together a coherent sentence, and they are probably native English speakers.

 

[kwakster928]

I struggle as well, and it has been over 20 years. Practice makes it perfect. Force yourself to write well and do it often. Have some pride behind what you are writing (even in this forum). Based on your OP, I don't think you have a lot of work to do. Oh... having a friend/or a family member who is a native speaker who is also excellent in writing definitely helps. (aka my wife).

 

[ancienbon]

I disagree with the poster who said at this point the op can't improve his writing skills. That is no true. A non native speaker may not be as fluent in talking as a native speaker but he or she can write even better than many native speakers.
I have seen so many native speakers here that dont master the English grammar. Writing is an art. It takes time and patience to be a good writer. Reading a lot will make it better.

 

[ChalupaBatman86]

I have been a pharmacist since last August and I have received new duties and responsibilities because of my go getter attitude. I went from being a staff pharmacist to an MTM pharmacist to coordinating the MTM services for the region however what I have noticed, especially since the last position that my writing skills on my emails are lacking the clarity and directiveness when compared with other emails from management positions. I always feel self conscious and always recheck my emails a few times before I send them.

I know this is a skill that you learn through school and experience but is there any other suggestions that I can fore-take for the future. A friend of mine suggest to read high level reading books but I am not sure how that would improve my writing skills, except improve my vocabulary. My handicap is that English is the third language I speak and I didn't come to US until I was 14 but it still bothers me that I am not as good as I should be especially for my position.

Keep your emails to 3 sentences or less if you want anybody to actually read them, especially your managers.

 

[KatleyS]

Believe it or not, reading improves writing. However, you have to choose what's appropriate to read and not just for improving vocabulary. Read with the intent of studying how an author turns a phrase into meaning. Choose books/samples of writing that you think/admire for clarity and directiveness as you've just described. If you have trouble expressing yourself, consider taking a creative writing class. Yes, it will teach you mostly about writing fiction, but I'd like to think it also teaches you how to choose words that move people's hearts and minds.

 

[waiter]

Keep your emails to 3 sentences or less if you want anybody to actually read them, especially your managers.

This