Please write a discussion board response to the given post:

Writing has always been a challenge for me, especially because English is my second language. Speaking comes naturally, as I converse daily with my friends and partner without focusing on grammar. However, writing requires precision and attention to detail, which makes it more difficult. In particular, making my writing sound professional is challenging. I often find myself Googling synonyms to find the right words, which adds another layer of difficulty, especially when trying to meet the clear and formal standards required at the academic level. Citations, in particular, have been confusing due to the many rules about capitalization, italicization, and formatting for different types of sources. Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (n.d.) has been a great resource for understanding these rules, and Scribbr (n.d.) provides easy examples of how to cite complex sources. The APA Style website (n.d.) has also offered valuable tips on handling complex citations, such as those with multiple authors.

To address these challenges, I use tools like Grammarly for grammar support and the ASU library for APA citations. Grammarly helps me identify errors, improve sentence structure, and refine word choice, which has greatly improved the flow and clarity of my writing. For example, I've learned to avoid repetitive phrases and simplify my sentences for better readability (Grammarly, n.d.). The ASU Writing Center has also been instrumental in helping me restructure my paragraphs, making my ideas clearer and more logical.

In this course, I am focused on improving my grammar, citation skills, and writing flow. Working in healthcare, where sensitive information is shared daily, clear and precise communication is essential to avoid misunderstandings that could impact patient care or relationships. Strengthening my writing skills will help me communicate professionally and prevent mistakes that might cause confusion. My goal is to ensure that writing becomes a reliable tool for my growth, enabling me to handle sensitive information with confidence while maintaining professionalism in all interactions

References:

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Style and grammar guidelines. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines