Course Overview

Today's business professionals must be able to capture their thoughts across various mediums to reflect strength and persuasion. In this one-day course, we will cover a variety of writing techniques such as how to use active voice, how to avoid jargon, and how to improve sentence structure. Participants will learn ways to make their writing more simple and easy to read. We will address proper e-mail etiquette and up-to-date word usage to enable business professionals to communicate effectively through the written word.

Participants will learn:

• The value of clear written communications
• To make writing clear, concise, complete and correct
• Seven ways to simplify your writing
• To apply writing skills in real work applications
• How to determine the readability of their work

Class Length: 1 day (approx. 8 hours)

Syllabus

1. 8:30-845 Introduction: Why Write?
2. 8:45-9:45 Writing Clearly, Concisely, Correctly
3. Break
4. 10:00-11:00 7 Ways to Say it Simply
5. 11:00-11:15 Active and Passive Voice
6. 11:15-12:00 Know Your Audience (Readability)
7. Lunch
8. 1:00-2:15 Writing Business Letters
9. 2:15-245 Formal Reports and RFPs
10. Break
11. 3:00-3:30 Enticing Action Through Email
12. 3:30-4:00 Writing for the Web

Beverages and munchies provided; one hour mid-day lunch break.

Course Outline:

1. Clear, concise and correct writing skills
2. Finding and maintaining active voice
3. Business letter formats and tips
4. How to write a formal report
5. E-mail etiquette
6. Writing for print vs. web