Difference Between Ability and Skill [PDF]

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Difference Between Ability and Skill • Categorized under Language,Words | Difference Between Ability and Skill



Ability vs Skill If one talks about intelligence, will he classify it as a skill or an ability? How about one’s expertise in computer programming, is that a skill or is it more likely an ability? Yes, skills and abilities can be problematic for some because several people don’t know if a certain attribute they have is an ability or a skill. These terms seem the same but they really are different from each other. So what’s the difference between the two? Skills are abilities! For example, an athlete can have the ability to run for 20 rounds around the oval for as short as 30 minutes. This exceptional ability is then considered to be one of the athlete’s skills. It is therefore something that can be learned and acquired through training for example. Skills can be cognitive, perceptual and motor. It is the former if it involves thinking, perceptual if there’s



some information interpretation included and the latter if movement is of the essence. Skill is a composite of abilities, techniques and knowledge. These are the ones that make one do tasks at a higher degree or standard. These are more goal directed and is seen through improvements or positive changes in one’s performance. Conversely, ability is the generic make up of the person either perceptual or motor in nature that can be inherited from one’s parents. In many instances, abilities can also be a combination of both perceptual and motor attributes (psychomotor). It is also important to note that abilities are the underlying attributes that bring out the skills or make up the skills of an individual. Like the example above, an athlete can have the skill of running fast for long distances only if he, to begin with, has the endurance or has the ability to run. In addition, abilities can be directly linked to one’s physical attributes. If a person has lots of speedy twitch fibers in his leg and has good coordination then more or less he has the inherent ability of becoming a sprinter but this does not directly imply that he is going to become a skilled sprinter. Abilities are more of qualities that enable you to do or perform a particular task. Compared to skills, abilities are much stable and enduring. Common examples of abilities that can be observed or assessed are: muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, coordination and balance. Although both skills and abilities can be perceptual, motor and psychomotor, they still differ because:



1. Skill is learned while ability is more or less inherited or has a genetic background. 2. Skill is more goal-directed because having such can allow a person to attain a higher level of performance whereas possessing abilities does not necessarily equate to exceptional performance. 3. Abilities are more stable than skills.



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Writer and Editor Career Information     



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Tool of the trade. J Shepherd/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images By Dawn Rosenberg McKay Updated September 19, 2016 Job Description Writers and editors can be divided into three categories. Writers and authors produce content for print media, online media, television, movies and radio. Editors evaluate and select content for publication. Technical writers specialize in producing materials such as instruction manuals and software documentation. Employment Facts Writers and authors held about 152,000 jobs while editors held about 130,000 jobs in 2008.



Technical writers held about 49,000 jobs. Educational Requirements Many employers prefer to hire writers and editors with a college degree, generally in communications, English or journalism. Sometimes a liberal arts degree will suffice. Employers may require writers and editors who specialize in a particular field to have a degree in that subject. This is particularly true for technical writers. Other Requirements An affinity for writing is something those in this field should, without doubt, have. Other necessary traits are the ability to express ideas clearly in writing, good judgment, creativity, selfmotivation and curiosity. Editors should have the ability to guide others. Unpaid experience, such as that gained through internships and writing for school newspapers, is valuable. Advancement If you want immediate gratification, a writing or editing job with a small company is right for you. You may have the opportunity to write and edit early on in your tenure. In larger firms, however, entry level writers and editors generally begin by doing research, copy editing, or fact checking. Job Outlook Employment of writers and editors is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2018. Demand is greatest for technical writers and those with training in a specialized field. Employment of salaried writers and editors for newspapers, periodicals, book publishers, and nonprofit organizations is expected to increase. Earnings



Median annual earnings for salaried writers and authors were $53,900 in 2009. Salaried editors earned a median salary of $50,800. Earnings for freelance writers and editors vary greatly. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much writers and editors currently earn in your city. A Day in a Writer's Life / A Day in an Editor's Life A writer's work can include: 



creating original works, e.g. prose, poetry, song lyrics, or plays;



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proposing topics about which to write or receiving assignments;



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gathering information about the topic;



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selecting and organizing the material he or she has gathered;



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using the written word to express ideas and convey information;



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revising or rewriting material;



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preparing advertising copy;



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selling one's work to publishers, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publication enterprises;



An editor's work can include: 



reviewing, rewriting, and editing the work of writers;



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planning the content of books, journals, and magazines;



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deciding what material will appeal to readers;



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reviewing and editing drafts of books and articles;



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offering comments to improve the work;



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suggesting possible titles;



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overseeing the production of publications;



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reviewing book proposals and deciding whether to buy the publication rights;



Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Writers and Authors, on the Internet



at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm (visited December 8, 2010). Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Writers and Authors, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/details/27-3043.00 and lt;i>Editors, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/details/27-3041.00 (visited December 8, 2010).