Report Writing Tools

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Nothing happens in today’s business world without a document going along with it. This workshop provides participant with the tools they need to prepare professional, productive, and powerful reports. If it takes you several drafts to write an effective report, you need this workshop. We’ll also analyze your writing style to ensure it is a business one – not an academic style.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Managers
• Project leaders
• Anyone who has to write reports as part of their normal job responsibilities

YOU WILL LEARN TO:

• Get the results you want from their writing
• Increase your professional image through crisper, clearer writing
• Organize your ideas in a logical manner that meets the readers’ needs
• Use three pre-writing tools to speed up the writing process
• Utilize proven techniques to produce effective reports and executive summaries
• Speed up the writing process

COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction

• The characteristics of effective reports
• Two types of reports
• Three steps for report writing

Pre-Writing Tools

• Four types of readers
• Objective Matrix
• Straight-Line Logic
• Avoiding writer’s block

Writing Techniques

• Opening lines
• Five steps for writing clearly and concisely
• Readability stats tool on all computers

Organization

• Tool for writing a strong executive summary
• Information reports
• Pyramid tool for writing recommendation reports
• Template for effective introductions

Using Design Aids

• Choosing the appropriate window dressing
• Helping your reader retain major points
• Making your document visually appealing

Revising

• 10-sentence success checker

METHODS TO BE USED

This workshop is highly interactive and involves group and individual exercises.

Participants are invited to bring samples of their writing to the workshop for a confidential critique.