Our previous column discussed the importance of reading for your child’s success in high school and college.

Another important skill that should be mastered in high school is expository writing. The root word “expose” reveals the importance of writing to describe thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Although many teens continually use cell phones to text and computers for email, these “shorthand” methods of communication are not particularly helpful in the real world of college and career.

Students who lack writing experience or who perform poorly in high school writing classes may have difficulty in expressing relevant information on course assignments. In higher education, most courses now require some degree of writing beyond short answer quizzes and multiple-choice tests. Students must be able to respond to critical thought questions by writing essays, complete with thesis statements and topic paragraphs. One study revealed that first-year students who successfully completed the required college writing class subsequently earned higher grades in biology than those who postponed composition classes until later. A competent writing class teaches students that learning to write goes hand-in-hand with writing to learn. The typical first-year college composition (writing) class teaches students how to focus on a main idea and develop an essay with topical sub-points. That experience translates well into other classes where writing assignments such as response papers, lab reports, and essay exams will be required so students can demonstrate what they have learned.

After graduation, those with strong writing skills often get the best jobs and promotions. A survey of top-rated U.S. companies hiring new graduates are looking for three major skills: 1) knowledge of the position, 2) team effort, 3) effective communication—written and verbal. A significant number of mid- and high-level managers spend as much as 80 percent of their workday on reading and writing-related tasks. Employers need to know their new hires have the writing skills to get the job done. They will check grade transcripts and sometimes request writing samples to find the best candidates.

If your child’s writing experience are weak to average so far, here are a few tips to help improve writing skills:

Suggest that your child send routine letters to extended family members. This can be done by email as long as you check for development of ideas and descriptive details.
Let your child earn extra income for a special purpose by writing essays at perhaps $5 or $10 per page (about 200 words per page). The student can choose a topic (with your approval) or select one of several that you suggest.
If your child shows interest in writing poetry or stories, encourage the sharing of their work over dinner, if they’re comfortable with that. Consider enrollment in a community creative writing course.
Ask your child’s teacher about writing assignments and how your child is doing. Discuss your interest in preparing your child for college and the hope that essays and research papers are being assigned with appropriate instructional guidance and support.
Make sure your child has the necessary resources to successfully complete writing assignments, like access to reference materials, word processing equipment (if possible), a desk or work area, and scheduled homework time without distractions.

With help and guidance, students can learn to appreciate writing as a valuable form of self-expression and use it as a learning tool for life.