In today's world of e-mails and text messages, the art of writing is often condensed to a series of letters. Teens might say WC (the text message version for Who Cares), but research shows us that everyone should care. Writing always has been, and will continue to be, one of the essential skills for college and career readiness and success.

Many teens don't realize that they need solid writing skills in college and in their careers. Nearly all school subjects involve writing - even mathematics. Virtually all professions need to effectively communicate through writing as well.

ACT's College Readiness Standards identify writing that is organized, focused, developed, expresses judgment (if necessary), and uses language correctly as the type of writing colleges and the workforce want. However, each year thousands of college students must take remedial writing courses to bring their skills up to the level the college expects. Human resource professionals reject numerous resumes because the applicants made grammar and spelling errors.

It's never too late to learn how to be a better writer. Like reading, writing is a skill that improves with practice. Below are some ways teens can strengthen writing skills:

.. Read - a lot. Studies have shown that people who read frequently are better writers. Your teen should read as much as possible from a variety of sources, including plays, essays, fiction, poetry, news stories, business writing and magazine features.

.. Practice writing in different formats and in as many real situations as possible. Encourage your student to write letters to the editor or letters to a company requesting information. Writing e-mails is good practice, but teens need to realize that writing for school and business is usually more formal than an e-mail to a friend.

.. Read their writing and give feedback. Feedback helps teens anticipate how readers might interpret their writing and what types of questions they might have. Feedback can help your student foresee what a reader might want to know. Perhaps your teen can start a writer's group with friends, meeting once a week to share each other's work. It might be an ideal time to review college and scholarship application essays, too.

.. Become familiar with current issues in society and develop their own opinions on the issues. Support discussing these issues, even if your beliefs don't mesh with those of your student. Being able to effectively communicate an opinion verbally and in writing is a vital skill, particularly in college essays and admissions exams. Taking speech and debate classes can help teens think through issues and communicate them to others.

.. Have your teen consider joining the school newspaper, yearbook, or creative writing club. These all offer opportunities to express ideas in writing and provide good feedback.

.. Give your teen a journal to write down thoughts.

.. Encourage your teen to see writing as a process - brainstorming, planning, writing and then editing. This applies to all writing activities. Have him strive for writing that is well developed and well organized, using precise, clear and concise language.

Remember that everyone can improve writing skills. Your students might think others are more talented, but don't let negative thoughts discourage them. Confidence and skill will grow with the more writing your teen does.

Rose Rennekamp is the vice president of communications for ACT. She is a mom and has a master's of education in guidance and counseling. For more college and career-planning information, visit www.act student.org. Have a question you want answered in a future column? Send a letter to this newspaper or email Rose at AskRose@act.org.