If you want to know how important any written document can be, just ask a lawyer. They will tell you that in today’s litigious environment, it is imperative that any written communication be precise, thorough and well thought out; saying no more or no less than the author intends. Everything considered, a written communication could include anything from a formal legal document or a simple business email to correspondence of either a personal or a business nature. Of course, drafting legal documents requires, among other things, an advanced education, specific areas of expertise, vigilance and meticulous attention to detail. So, what about others outside the legal arena who wish to communicate in writing? Are the rules that much different?

Generally speaking, the rules for written communications are the same. The subject matter and other circumstances may dictate how they are applied, but overall, there is a combination of factors necessary to successfully compose a written document that will enable an author to express an opinion, share an idea, propose a course of action, or achieve some other specific purpose the author has in mind. To write successfully requires, among other things: organization, a basic understanding of grammar and style, a thorough command of the English language, a respect for accuracy and a logical mind.

With these skills, an author should be able to effectively compose a document that is focused, arranged in an organized and coherent manner and avoids confusing or incomprehensible language. If the writing is straightforward, concise, reader-friendly and well thought out, it should accomplish its intended purpose and be a credit to the author. On the other hand, a composition that is written in a careless and imprudent manner can cause the author considerable embarrassment. Additionally, if it is unnecessarily complicated, ambiguous, rambling and takes liberties with facts, it can easily be misinterpreted or misunderstood, and the author could potentially find himself in a very uncomfortable situation

Ideally, most high school graduates should have the skills necessary to adequately draft a written communication on a fairly sophisticated level, but that is not always the case. On the other hand, having a college degree is no guarantee that a person has the ability to communicate effectively in the written word either. With the unlimited informational resources offered by the Internet, anyone who is serious about securing the knowledge and skills, which would enable them to write effectively, can find seminars or workshops on that subject or locate colleges and universities offering online courses to improve the skills and abilities necessary for them to reach their goals.