Advanced Business Writing

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