Cambridge students
Writing, analytical and reporting skills focus on how you gather, analyse, and communicate information effectively across different contexts and audiences.
Writing skills involve crafting clear, compelling content for various purposes and audiences. Analytical skills enable you to examine information systematically, identify patterns, and draw meaningful insights from complex data or concepts. Reporting skills help you present information in a structured and appropriate format.
You can see a full list of the skills included in this category at the bottom of this page.
These skills are essential for academic success, and are used across many careers and passion projects. They enhance your ability to conduct rigorous research, communicate complex ideas clearly, and make evidence-based arguments. In our information-rich world, the ability to analyse data critically and communicate findings persuasively is increasingly valuable for problem-solving, policy-making, and innovation.
Think about which of these skills you are developing through your studies using the list at the bottom of this page - you will be using them for every piece of work you produce, whether that's writing essays or analysing datasets. Use the Skills Discovery Tool to evaluate your skills.
You will be actively developing these skills through your academic work. Build on this foundation by:
There are many ways to develop and evidence these skills beyond your subject work. Here are some suggestions:
Check out the activities pages for more ideas on how to get involved and develop your skills in this area.
Skill
Definition
Ability to reflect
The ability to engage in introspection, evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses, and seek feedback from others.
Analytical thinking
The ability to systematically gather and analyse data and then utilise that information to support decision-making and problem-solving.
Complex problem solving
The ability to identify complex issues, review available or related information, and account for the impact of proposed solutions even in changing circumstances.
Computational and algorithmic thinking
The ability to analyse real-world problems by breaking them into smaller and logical steps and creating models that are easily executable by a computer.
Creativity and imagination
The ability to generate ideas, products, or ways of working that are original, new, and valuable.
Critical thinking
The ability to systematically and rationally evaluate information and situation to form an impartial judgement or option.
Data analysis and statistics
The ability to analyse large volumes of data using analytical methods, discerning patterns and trends, and generating statistical insights into the data.
Data literacy
The ability to understand ways of creating, collecting, validating, and storing data and be able to communicate them in a meaningful way.
Data management
The ability to gather, organise, and store data in a way it can be analysed and visualised for making informed decisions.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to use general and universal statements or facts to form a conclusion.
Digital ethics
The ability to use and engage in the digital world and online relationships responsibly while considering ethical impacts (e.g., privacy, accountability).
Digital literacy
The ability to utilise digital tools to find, critically evaluate, create and communicate information via digital media platforms, popular software, or AI.
Editorial
The ability to commission or produce, edit, and publish various forms of creative work, particularly written content.
Evaluation of arguments
The ability to critically assess the validity, coherence, and persuasiveness of presented claims and reasonings, based on supporting evidence.
Inference
The ability to make a guess or form an opinion on the basis of available information.
Information seeking
The ability to identify missing information and assess the most efficient place or resources where to look for answers.
Initiative
The ability to take a lead in a project or offer a fresh approach to something.
Integrity & Ethical behaviour
The ability to be honest and show a consistent adherence to strong moral and ethical principles that guide one in any situation.
Interpretation
The ability to uncover and determine, or attribute, significance or meaning to various information or situations.
Logical reasoning
The ability to draw conclusions, make judgements, and accept or reject certain information based on logical evaluation of facts and arguments.
Numeracy
The ability to understand, reason with, and apply simple mathematical concepts in everyday life.
Originality
The ability to independently generate new or fresh ideas, methods or thoughts.
Recognition of assumptions
The ability to recognise beliefs or assumptions which may not be necessarily true.
Research
The ability to conduct a systematic and detailed study to discover (new) information or (new) understanding of a subject.
Seeking relevant information
The ability to identify missing and relevant information and the most effective resource or medium where to find it.
Systems analysis
The ability to examine and understand how systems work, what are its bigger and smaller parts, and find ways of improving those outcomes.
Systems Evaluation
The ability to identify measures and indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct its performance.
Transferring knowledge to different contexts
The ability to apply experience and skills from one area into other contexts to create ideas, understand new topics, or solve a problem.
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