Rate yourself as a writer

Do you have the skills and knowledge you need to …

a

1. Write copy that gets read instead of tossed?

2. Select and use the best structure for organizing information?

3. Use creative material to engage the reader, versus a dull, just-the-facts-ma’am approach?

4. Incorporate the most powerful form of human communication — storytelling — into the piece?

5. Translate numbers and otherwise clarify complex concepts with metaphor?

6. Surprise and delight readers with wordplay?

7. Make your copy clear and easy to understand?

8. Gather the information you need to write copy that grabs and keeps reader attention?

9. Create display copy — headlines, decks, callouts, cutlines and subheads, for instance — to communicate to flippers and skimmers?

10. Work intelligently with a designer to create pieces that enhance readability as well as looking good?

11. Write quickly and well without suffering the obstacles of writer’s block or procrastination?

12. Write Web copy that overcomes the obstacles of reading on the screen?

13. Present and package information on the Web to reach readers online?

14. Write online microcontent — links, headlines, and so forth — that gets the word out on the Web?

15. Write PR pieces that are among the small percentage (3 percent to 45 percent, depending on which study you look at) that actually get used?

16. Come up with fresh ways to approach even repetitive topics and messages (as opposed to writing the same old story over and over again)?

17. Make the approval process efficient and helpful versus a time-consuming, morale-sapping procedure that reduces the effectiveness of your communications?

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About Ann Wylie

Ann Wylie is president of Wylie Communications Inc., a training, writing and consulting firm. She works with communicators who want to reach more readers and with organizations that want to get the word out. Wylie is the author of RevUpReadership.com, a toolbox for writers, and Wylie’s Writing Tips, a free e-zine. She has earned more than 60 awards, including two IABC Gold Quills, for her work.

Copyright © 2006 Ann Wylie. All rights reserved.