VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR-LED COURSE

Editing the reports of staff can be a time-consuming process. You might even find that it’s faster to rewrite them yourself. But how does that help future reports? Coaching your staff may take time initially, but in the long-term everyone will benefit.

This virtual workshop is composed of two 90-minute modules plus a 15-minute self-administered, electronic grammar quiz.

Part 1 (90 minutes)
This module focuses on the three steps of the coaching process, when to start it, and how to make it work. Participants will learn how to determine the writer’s major problem and how to guide the writer in determining and organizing content to meet the readers’ needs.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Understand why staff have problems with their writing
  • Analyze the writer’s main problem: sentence structure, organization, or content.
  • Start the editing process
  • Offer constructive criticism
  • Provide feedback

Grammar Quiz (15 minutes)
This is a self-administered, electronic quiz (with answers) so participants can check whether their grammar knowledge is current. After all, grammar rules do change, and this short session quickly brings coaches/editors up to speed.

Although not essential, it is recommended that participants take this quiz between the two modules. They can then ask the facilitator for further clarification, if needed.

All grammar rules are based on CP style.

Part 2 (90 minutes)
This module focuses on guidelines for writing clear, concise sentences and on how to engage your reader. We’ll also look at how sentence structure varies between reports and emails, how to change your tone, and how to make key points stand out.

Participants will learn

  • How style and grammar rules differ
  • 5 guidelines for sentence structure
  • How to use the readability stats feature on your computer
  • The importance of parallel flow
  • 4 techniques to get messages read and acted upon