These five examples show that written communication is essential for experts across various fields to effectively convey their knowledge, collaborate with others, and advance in their careers.

• Engineers must create technical reports, design documents, and project proposals that clearly outline their work and demonstrate their expertise in designing, analyzing, and troubleshooting complex systems. Effective written communication ensures that their designs and recommendations are understood and implemented.
• Data analysts must create written reports and slide decks that summarize their findings and insights from analyzing data sets. Effective writing skills help them communicate with colleagues, clients, or executives so that stakeholders understand the key takeaways, trends, and patterns identified in the data.
• Scientists and researchers must communicate their findings and ideas through research papers, grant proposals, and conference presentations. Clear and concise writing is crucial for effectively sharing their work with peers, obtaining funding, and contributing to the advancement of their fields.
• Accountants write at work to communicate financial information, maintain records, and prepare reports for various audiences. Common genres they produce include financial statements, audit reports, tax filings, internal memos, budgets, financial analysis reports, policies, and presentations. Their writing serves internal and external stakeholders, such as management, shareholders, investors, colleagues, tax authorities, and regulators.
• Information systems security professionals write at work to document processes, communicate findings, and share knowledge. Typical genres include security policies, incident reports, vulnerability assessments, technical guides, and research articles. The audience ranges from internal teams to external stakeholders, such as IT staff, management, clients, and the broader cybersecurity community.
• Human resource professionals need to write job descriptions, employee handbooks, and performance evaluations. They must be able to communicate their expertise in understanding and managing workplace policies, procedures, and employee relations through their writing.

While individuals in these fields do different types of work and have different expertise, all must communicate that expertise in writing.