Business Writing That Works

Introduction

Say What You Mean and Get Your Message Across

We all know what good writing is. It is the novel we can’t put down, the poem we never forgot, and the speech that changes the way we look at the world. Good writing is the message that gets action and it says what a phone call can’t.

In business writing, the language is concrete, the point of view is clear, and the points are well expressed. It evokes, requests, persuades, informs, and sells.

Learning Outcomes / Benefits

After this training workshop, participants will be able to:

• Send your message across to achieve the desired results
• Write with the 4C’s in mind (Concise, Clear, Complete, Correct)
• Focus on the ABC (Accuracy-Brevity-Clarity) while designing the document
• Write to the writers (Analysers-Organizers-Sensors-Explorers)
• Spin a positive story in creative writing

Key Content

Module 1: ABC’s In Writing

• Introduction to Writing
  • Say what you mean
  • Writing without Bullshit
• Change What You Write (Style and Tone)
• Accuracy-Brevity-Clarity in Writing
  • What is readability and why does it matter?
    • Word Choice
    • Sentence Structure
    • Sentence Length
  • Practical Exercises:
    • Use familiar words
    • Prefer simple words
    • Use concrete words
    • Prefer active to passive verbs
    • Avoid camouflaged verbs
  • Practical Exercises:
    • Arrange sentences for emphasis and Clarity
    • Keep sentences short
    • Ensure Modifying words and phrases relate to nouns and pronouns
    • Use words economically

Module 2: Document Design

• How to Organize Information
  • Planning
• Methods of Organization
  • Pyramid (State general information; Move steadily to details)
  • Chronology (Time Order)
  • Process Sequence (1,2,3, etc.)
  • Format – Structure Approach (Classic Storytelling)

Module 3: Writing To Your Audience

• Adapting written communication
  • Understanding the needs of your audience
  • Planning Tool for audience/reader analysis: Template
• Understanding Your Readers: 4P’s
  • Personality (Analysers-Organizers-Sensors-Explorers)
  • Prejudice
  • Pressures
  • Position

Module 4: Creative Writing

• How TO SPIN a positive story
  • Put a positive spin to your business writing
    • Use positive, self-assured, optimistic language to promote your ideas.
    • Bring your readers in to go on a journey

Module 5: Report Writing

• FOUR Stages of Report Writing: IPWR for formal, informal, feasibility and technical report writing

Module 6: Proposals Writing

• How is it different from writing a Report
• Proposal terms and features
• Steps to successfully proposal writing
• Finishing touches to a Proposal

Target Audience

• Professionals who need to write with impact.

Methodology

Guided share learning sessions – Practical Exercises – Structure approach templates – Individual review on writing style and tone