Course Objectives
Advanced Business Writing
Course Methodology
This course uses a variety of learning tools including writing activities, story-boarding, controlled experiments and videos. The course also provides participants with complex situations which require written interventions.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Write effective emails, memos and letters
Use rules for organizing content in a clear and concise manner
Match writing complexity to the modern business environment
Apply advanced structuring techniques in writing that yields a desirable response
Identify and talk to their reader’s interests
Target Audience
All individuals with responsibilities requiring extensive business writing in the form of emails, memos and letters
Target Competencies
Written communication
Business writing etiquette
Structured thinking
Assertiveness
Ability to address complex situations
Reading between the lines
Note
It is essential that participants on this course have a good command of the English language.
Course Outline
Advanced techniques for effective writing
Defining effective writing
Characteristics of effective writers
Understanding the hallmarks of effective communicators
Elements of written communication
Writing in a business context
Understanding your audience
Setting a purpose for your writing
Understanding sources of miscommunication
Tips for business writing
Organizing content
The 3 forms of communication
Using simple and specific language to avoid confusion
Using positive language
Applying rules for bullet points
Maintaining an impersonal style
Avoiding repetitions
Using active verbs to promote a response
Writing style
Adding a personal touch to business writing
Organizing paragraphs effectively
Using varied sentences
The 6 Cs of effective writing
Recognizing clichés and jargon
Applying the gunning fox index for writing complexity
Using visual aids to support text
Going the last inch: proof reading your work
Logical sequencing of ideas
Building your key message
Organizing the introduction, body and ending
Structuring ideas from the bottom up
Refining the flow from the top down
Drawing impeccable conclusions
Summarizing ideas effectively
Responding to complex situations through writing
Building rapport with your audience
Managing expectations: responding to bad news
Managing expectations: saying no
Effectively handing difficult individuals
Hostile: responding assertively
Pessimist: sticking to facts
Nagger: setting the rules
Mr. Know-it-all: staying focused
Egoist: getting descriptive
Manipulator: taking the initiative
Advanced techniques for effective writing
Defining effective writing
Characteristics of effective writers
Understanding the hallmarks of effective communicators
Elements of written communication
Writing in a business context
Understanding your audience
Setting a purpose for your writing
Understanding sources of miscommunication
Tips for business writing
Organizing content
The 3 forms of communication
Using simple and specific language to avoid confusion
Using positive language
Applying rules for bullet points
Maintaining an impersonal style
Avoiding repetitions
Using active verbs to promote a response
Writing style
Adding a personal touch to business writing
Organizing paragraphs effectively
Using varied sentences
The 6 Cs of effective writing
Recognizing clichés and jargon
Applying the gunning fox index for writing complexity
Using visual aids to support text
Going the last inch: proof reading your work
Logical sequencing of ideas
Building your key message
Organizing the introduction, body and ending
Structuring ideas from the bottom up
Refining the flow from the top down
Drawing impeccable conclusions
Summarizing ideas effectively
Responding to complex situations through writing
Building rapport with your audience
Managing expectations: responding to bad news
Managing expectations: saying no
Effectively handing difficult individuals
Hostile: responding assertively
Pessimist: sticking to facts
Nagger: setting the rules
Mr. Know-it-all: staying focused
Egoist: getting descriptive
Manipulator: taking the initiative