Clear Business Writing Workshop
This workshop is designed to help participants improve their written communication, making it more modern, clear, concise and friendly. It comprises sections on basic business writing, memos, briefing notes, reports and proofreading and editing. The methodologies used include practice in writing their own copy and correcting written examples; review quizzes in grammar, punctuation and spelling; group discussion and brainstorming; question and answer sessions.
With our extensive knowledge of the different software currently on the market, including all Microsoft and Adobe applications, ON-TRACK Corporate Training Ltd. has a diverse and flexible schedule that can be customized to your needs – we offer group course (both public and corporate), one-on-one training, and on-site training options. We also have easily accessible on-line training videos available.
Duration: 1 Day
Outline
- Part I: Introduction: Roles, Goals and Participant Expectations
- Part II: Reader-Centered Writing
- Knowing your audience
- What is your purpose in writing?
- Reader-centered writing is an important part of good client service
- How to prepare to write an effective message
- How to avoid reader resistance
- How to direct the way for your reader to take the action you want
- Part III: Basics of Good Business Writing
- Writing a clear, organized, concise and friendly message
- Replacing negative language with positive “active voice” expression
- Using Plain Language
- Brushing up on proper punctuation, spelling and grammar
- Developing your own professional writing style
- Part IV: Briefing Notes
- Make 'em brief: cull and compact
- Understandable on first reading: write for your audience
- Priorities and key points stand out
- Part V: Basics of Good Report Writing
- Gathering the material and information
- Three important questions to ask yourself before writing
- Setting up headings, paragraphs and sections
- Point-Develop-Example method
- How to report variances and mistakes
- Writing the conclusions
- Making recommendations
- Writing an executive summary
- Part VI: Self-Editing: A Clinic in Clarity
- Five things the self-editing writer does for clarity
- The difference between proofing and editing
- Tips to speed up the proofreading process
- Checklists for proofreading and editing
- Editing for style and clarity
- Two questions our reader needs to be able to answer
- Recommended proofreading and editing styles guides
- Review exercises grammar, spelling and punctuation
- Part VII: Our Personal Action Plan for Improved Clear Business Writing
- A fill-in action plan template
- Final questions and review
- Course closure and evaluation