Improving Academic Writing: A Strategic Approach to Forum Posts
Forum posts in graduate programs offer an opportunity to develop professional communication skills. This post explores how to approach these assignments strategically, focusing on long-term skill development.
Forum Posts as Professional Practice
Each forum post can be viewed as a small-scale professional writing exercise. Barbara Minto's "pyramid thinking," a structured approach to presenting ideas in consulting and corporate environments, can be applied here. Research by Ethan Bernstein at Harvard Business School indicates that clear, structured communication is a significant factor in professional success.
The Impact of Third-Person Perspective
Using third-person instead of first-person writing is more than a stylistic choice. Studies on psychological distancing, such as those by Ethan Kross at the University of Michigan, suggest that third-person self-talk can improve analytical thinking. Writing "This analysis suggests" rather than "I think" may enhance objectivity in your problem-solving approach.
Practical Exercise:
In your next three forum posts, try eliminating first-person pronouns. Note any changes in your thought process or argument structure.
Structured Approach to Prompt Analysis
Applying deliberate practice principles to prompt analysis can improve your responses:
Break down the prompt into critical components.
Identify common themes across different prompts.
Address each component precisely.
For example, if a prompt asks:
What is your innovation?
Who is the target customer?
What is the value proposition?
Consider why these specific questions are being asked and how they relate. This approach can enhance both your responses and your strategic thinking skills. Jacob Nielson is an excellent resource for UX design.
Writing for a Specific Audience
Product designers often find that designing for a specific audience leads to more universally appealing products. This "elastic users" principle in design thinking also applies to writing. Clearly defining and writing for a particular audience often produces more compelling and more precise work. This practice can also deepen your understanding of your own ideas, a phenomenon psychologists refer to as the "protégé effect."
Research Exercise:
Before your next post, research your target audience's specific needs and challenges. Use this information to inform your response, from the examples you choose to the language you use.
Long-Term Benefits of Skill Development
Approaching forum posts with this level of attention might seem unnecessary for a routine assignment. However, consistent, focused effort on these tasks can lead to significant skill development over time. This aligns with Anders Ericsson's research on deliberate practice and skill acquisition.
You're developing valuable professional skills alongside your academic work by treating each forum post as an opportunity to practice structured thinking and audience-centric communication.
Conclusion
Viewing forum posts as opportunities for deliberate practice in professional communication can transform routine assignments into valuable skill-building exercises. Implementing these strategies can enhance your academic performance and long-term professional capabilities.