Surrey Learn

Better Business Writing - Online

Category

Communication Skills

Pathway

Introduction to Administration

Audience

Anyone, at any level, who wants to produce clearer and more powerful written communication appropriate to their audience. For those who want to improve their writing structure, style, and tone for every type of document they create.

Duration

1-day online session (NB. There is a pre-course questionnaire to complete and return to the trainer at least 5 days before delivery)

Delegate rate

Approximately £100 per day per delegate. Charges depend on how many delegates book.

By the end of the online course you will be able to:

  •  Plan your documents to achieve your desired result
  • Write emails and letters that get results

  • Express yourself persuasively using plain English

  • Increase your confidence using language, grammar and punctuation

  • Set the right ‘tone’ for the situation and subject

  • Produce your first draft quickly

  • Check and edit your own writing

Introduction & Workshop Objectives

  • What writing are you doing now?

  • What would you like to achieve today?

Specific demands for writing online

  • Attention spans online – how we consume content

  • Length, time, context and the skim factor

  • Getting found and seen – SEO 

Thinking about your reader

  • Who are they? What do they want from you?

  • What is your precise objective?

  • Techniques to make a document more ‘readable’ and using empathy
  • + Practical work

Planning your writing

  • Planning your structure, sequence and flow
  • How can you arrange your information for maximum impact?
  • Using numbers, data, and visuals
  • Producing letters, emails and memos that are simple but not simplistic
  • Highlighting benefits – adding value to your information

The POWER method of effective writing

  • Prepare
  • Organise

  • Write

  • Examine

  • Revise

  • Making sure the document says what you mean it to say

  • How to revise and produce a final draft

  • + Practical work

 Creating your voice

  • What language should you use to communicate with your readers?

  • Avoiding jargon – keep it direct but not too abrupt

  • Using plain English to acquire a more direct writing style

  • Active vs passive – when to use which one and why

Writing to communicate – some simple guidelines

  • Why you should vary sentence lengths

  • Matching language with audience

  • Making your writing clear and compelling

  • Common Do’s and Do Not’s!

 + Final writing exercise 

Wrap Up and Action Plan

  • Recap key learning points
  • Reflect and review how you plan to develop on the theme and what you will implement

Dates

20 November 2024 at 09:30

Delivered online. You must attend all the sessions.

Online sessions include usual breaks. Zoom link(s) are auto-sent from [email protected] a few days in advance of delivery. Full instructions and course handouts will also be sent in advance.

Please note you will be expected to use your camera and display your name on all training. If unable to comply, please ensure the trainer understands why and notes your name and authority for recording attendance.

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