Business writing skills (In-House)

1 Course objectives

• Welcome and Introductions
• The problems now - group discussion

2 Writing better business documents

• What points to highlight / exclude
• Starting off
• Introductions
• Conclusions
• Executive summaries

3 Rules and standards

• George Orwell's famous maxim
• Why write? - clarifying your aims and objectives
• A seven-step method for better preparation
• The three-stage process for writing well
• Grouping information for your reader

4 Proof-reading and editing

• The difference between proof-reading and editing
• Proof-reading methods and strategies
• Proof-reading marks and techniques
• Training your eye for detail
• Knowing what to look for

5 Effective editing

• Grammar and English standards
• Words - usage and spelling
• Sentences - units of thought
• Paragraphs - themes
• Punctuation - spotting and correcting common errors
• Say what you mean - active v passive language

6 How's your English?

• Grammar quizzes and punctuation test
• Spotting spelling errors
• Rephrasing jargons and clichés
• Common error's and mistakes

7 Document layout

• House style
• Use of white space
• Fonts and effects

8 One-to-one workshops

• These are practical sessions with one-to-one consultation with colleagues and the trainer
• They are held at key points to consolidate the learning from different sessions

9 Course summary

• Summary of key points
• Action plans