The English Rules for SOC Analyst

I highlight the simple established style of writing that you may use for communicating in the SOC. This is English for SOC Analysts.

1. Numbers ten and below are written out in sentences, whereas numbers 11 and higher are written as numerals.

2. The conjunctions "And," "But," "So," & others shouldn't start a sentence. Consider while speaking to management starting your sentences with verbs that show action. Verbs show professional seasoning.

3. Clear and concise is the goal in the workplace. While outside of the workplace, writing in ambiguity is often preferred because of the presence of children, at work communication is mission critical, time is of utmost importance, and confusion cannot be afforded. Your management will sometimes use artistic writing at their discretion. It is beneficial to be read only.

4. The active voice is direct and bold, whereas the passive voice lacks spine. The dog bit the man is stronger than The man was bitten by the dog. Prefer He decided to A decision was made.

5. Write in a positive voice and not allure to the shadows. Say It is warm rather than It is not cold. Say He remembered instead of He did not forget. The reader seeks clarity.

6. Place the emphatic word last. I conclude this behavior is malicious is better than This is malicious behavior. The last word is the word they'll remember.

7. Revise your conclusions ruthlessly. Remove words that are not needed. Listen for rhythm, clarity, and prize truth. Rewrite until what remains is critical.

8. Trust your nouns and verbs. Adjectives are not the substance. "The thing did what" is better than "The massively large and grainy thing did what"

9. Avoid unwonted words. They call attention to the writer, not the writing. Write in simple terms, and use repetiton rarely and only with purpose.

10. Restraint is the mark of mastery.

11. Artistic writing serves a purpose in your informal messages. Style emerges when grammar serves thought, not ego. Write in a way that comes naturally, but not carelessly. Let your personality shine through your precision. Never lose the reader in your effort to be seen.

12. Avoid cliches and metaphors like the plauge. Some of my network writes seemingly carelessly while they begin practicing stylistic concise writing. While it's not always possible to stop your thoughts, it is possible to divert your writing. I've found that people do best and learn fastest when they write to a public audience. I have a training ground of ~150 people who know me personally, and they know how I am, and I don't worry about what they think. No matter what thought crosses my mind they've probably already tuned it out. It helps to practice in public with an audience but choose that training ground wisely.
    

    
    

    

English for SOC Analysts