Study after study highlights writing as a major skill that planning employers are looking for in new hires. Two specific kinds of writing seem most challenging to beginning planners.
Study after study highlights
writing as a major skill that planning employers are looking for in new hires.
Two specific kinds of writing seem most challenging to beginning planners.
First, is the short memo, letter, or executive summary of a page or two. Busy decision-makers
don't have a lot of time. It's essential to be able to convey information to
them in a clear and succinct format. Spend time learning how to use key
phrases, content rich subheadings, bullets, short tables, and charts to convey
information to audiences who are overloaded with information.
The second challenging type of writing is the longer report. I am often
surprised that students can get most of the way though graduate school without
ever having written a document of 40 or more pages. Such writing requires a
number of skills. These include:
-
Knowing how to structure a longer argument so it flows well.
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Understanding how to convey the main question and findings in the first page or two and then back that up with evidence in the rest of the paper.
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Knowing how to use headings, short summaries, lead sentences, and recommendations so that the reader is kept aware of the big picture and can clearly identify the main findings.
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Developing a sense of when to use narrative and when to convey information through maps, charts, tables, and figures.
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Being able to keep track of sources so you and others can recheck facts and interpretations.
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Knowing how to use a consistent style from the start so you don't face a huge copy-editing task at the end.
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Having enough familiarity with a word processing program to automate a number of tasks such as formatting headings and generating tables of contents.
Many
planning programs now offer classes in writing. Most programs without a specific class in writing offer classes where writing is emphasized--seek these out and take some of them. You can also take advantage of a number of online resources. For example, Purdue has a useful site explaining how to write a memo. And be sure you develop skills in both shorter and longer formats.
I have previously provided more general
advice about writing papers and
reports and about how not to
write.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
