All the basics you need for writing and organizing documents in the business world. We cover letters, emails, and reports, and there are lots of supporting exercises to help you remember what you learn. And most importantly, you’ll receive proven tips to ensure your documents get read and acted upon.

TWO-DAY WORKSHOP

For 6 to 20 participants at your place of business

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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

This workshop is designed to help office professionals with the challenge of preparing professional, productive and powerful correspondence and reports.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

  • Any office professional who communicates in writing either internally or externally

YOU WILL LEARN TO:

  • Understand the differences between clear writing and plain language writing
  • Determine the reader’s needs
  • Deliver clear, concise messages
  • Adopt the appropriate tone
  • Avoid the grammar errors that rob writing of its professionalism
  • Prepare effective letters and emails
  • Prepare easy-to-read reports
  • Reduce writing time

COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction

  • How business and academic writing differ
  • What today’s readers want in a business document
  • Clear writing versus plain language writing
  • Three steps for effective writing

Writing Style

  • Myths surrounding writing
  • Opening lines
  • Sentence length
  • Word choice and jargon
  • Smothered verbs
  • Active versus passive voice
  • Connecting words
  • Tone

Organizing Letters and Emails

  • Four questions for organizing letters and emails
  • Organizational patterns
  • Effective subject lines and powerful opening lines
  • Clichés to avoid

Software Assistance

  • Readability stats feature
  • Writing tools available on Word

Grammar

  • The importance of grammar rules
  • Why the rules change
  • Sentence structure
  • Punctuation
  • Five most common grammar errors that detract from key messages

Getting Started

  • Identify the problems associated with report writing
  • Understand how a report projects an image
  • Review the characteristics of successful reports
  • Learn the 6 steps for report writing
  • Write effective opening lines

Pre-writing

  • Identify the readers’ needs and backgrounds
  • Pinpoint your purpose in writing
  • Use a proven tool to determine essential details
  • Learn a technique for avoiding writer’s block

Writing/Editing

  • Identify design techniques
  • Prepare “talking” heads
  • Understand the questions for successful editing

Organizing/Blueprinting

  • Produce effective executive summaries
  • Use blueprints to organize information
  • Arrange ideas into proven organizational structures: information, bad news, recommendation
  • Write powerful introductions

METHODS TO BE USED:

Participants will be actively involved in exercises and activities designed to develop and improve their writing skills.

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Course Code: WBJ901

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