Hello Paul,

I participated in your business writing course over the past two days. 

Currently, I don’t have to write frequently. I only write reports 2-3 times a year. 

Can you suggest any practice or exercise tools I could use to develop my writing? I fear that all the valuable lessons I learnt in your course will be lost because I don’t have to write frequently.

Regards,

N

[Advanced Analytics Engineer, Energy Industry]

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Hi N,

You asked a great question. And you’re right – to write well you need to write often. This was novelist Stephen King’s advice:

‘You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot, and the most valuable lessons of all are the ones you teach yourself.’

One thing that came to mind for you was journaling. Have you tried it?

Some sound advice on journaling is here: https://www.adbra.co.uk/how-to-journal-the-ultimate-guide

Another idea could be to offer to take on extra responsibility at work that would involve some writing.

And a third could be to consider writing regular LinkedIn articles (or for Reddit, etc.) that showcase your insights, and help others.

Committing to a schedule would force you to write regularly, e.g. at least an article or blog post every month or fortnight.

Which of these sound best to you?

By the way, I asked ChatGPT for its advice. It’s below!

Best regards,

Paul

P.S. Here’s ChatGPT’s advice:

Improving writing skills, especially in a specialized field like analytics for the energy industry, requires a strategic and consistent approach. Here are several steps an analytics engineer can take to enhance their writing abilities:

1. Read Widely Within Your Field

• Start by reading a variety of professional documents, reports, and articles related to energy analytics. Pay attention to the structure, vocabulary, and styles used.
• Branch out to related fields and general scientific or technical writing to see different approaches and broaden your understanding.

2. Practise Regularly

• Daily Writing: Set aside time each day to write. Even brief sessions can be beneficial.
• Blogging: Consider starting a professional blog to share insights, analysis, and commentary on industry trends or data analytics techniques.
• Internal Documentation: Volunteer for tasks that require writing, such as preparing reports, drafting project proposals, or creating documentation for internal processes.

3. Learn from Feedback

• Peer Reviews: Share your writing with colleagues and request their feedback. A fresh set of eyes can offer valuable perspectives on your clarity, coherence, and style.
• Professional Editing: Occasionally, it might be helpful to have your work reviewed by a professional editor who can provide detailed critiques and suggestions for improvement.

4. Attend Workshops and Courses

• Look for writing workshops or courses tailored to technical or scientific writing. Many universities and online platforms offer such programs. [Including Magneto]
• Participate in webinars and workshops specifically focused on writing within the energy sector or analytics field.

5. Study Writing Principles

• Familiarise yourself with the principles of good writing, such as clarity, conciseness, coherence, and audience awareness. Books like ‘The Elements of Style’ by Strunk and White, or ‘On Writing Well’ by William Zinsser, are excellent resources.
• Learn about data storytelling, which is crucial for conveying analytical findings effectively.

 6. Use Writing Tools and Software

• Use software tools like Grammarly or Hemingway to help identify and correct grammatical errors and improve readability.
• Employ templates and guides for specific types of documents (e.g. technical reports, research papers) to ensure adherence to standard formats.

7. Join Writing Groups or Forums

• Engage with online communities or local groups focused on technical writing. Sharing experiences and challenges with others can provide new insights and motivation.
• Participate in discussions, ask questions, and take advantage of opportunities to review others’ writings.

8. Set Personal Goals and Projects

• Establish clear, measurable objectives for your writing, such as completing a certain number of blog posts or articles per month, or mastering a specific type of document (e.g. policy briefs, technical specifications).
• Undertake a personal project, such as writing a white paper or preparing a presentation on an analytics topic that interests you. This will give you a focused context in which to practise and apply your skills.

By following these steps and dedicating time to practice and improvement, an analytics engineer can significantly enhance their writing skills, contributing to their professional development and effectiveness in the energy industry.