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

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