Developing Potential Australia

Effective business writing

Full day

Most technically expert people can research facts and recommend actions. However, many find it difficult to present information in an easy-to-read style.

Throughout the day participants apply the techniques to a series of examples. We also spend time discussing how to modify the techniques to suit the specific documents participants write at work.

Establishing the objective of a document

• What do you need to know about the reader before you start?
• How to make your objective clear to the reader
• Identifying the appropriate tone and formality of a document

Structuring reports, letters and email

In this session we provide several structures. Effective writers choose the best structure to achieve their objective.

• How to break information into digestible chunks
• The classic ‘5 P’ structure for persuasive reports
• What structures or templates do you use in your organisation?
• The SCRAP structure for logical letters and emails

What is plain English?

• Plain English: everyday terms for everyday ideas
• How to tailor the language to the knowledge of the reader
• Structuring complex paragraphs so they flow
• How to turn bureaucratic waffle into a personal and professional style of writing

Adding impact

• How to add life to documents by structuring sentences in the active voice
• How present a logical argument
• How to convert tedious nominalisations into vigorous verbs
• Choosing ‘visual’ words that make abstract ideas clearer for the reader
• The most common clichés - what do they really mean and what are better alternatives?

Conveying the appropriate tone

• How to present a persuasive argument without it sounding like a ‘sales pitch’
• Discover simple ways to adjust the ‘formality’ and tone of your document
• Conquering grammarphobia
• The classic subjective phrases that undermine your credibility
• How to give ‘bad news’ in a respectful way

Current business writing conventions

• What are the letter and email writing conventions?
• What are the current punctuation conventions e.g. bullet points?
• How to make documents look readable
• How to structure informal email messages that are still professional

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