Coaching Your Staff on Written Communications

(One-day Workshop)

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Managers who wish to upgrade the writing styles of their staff
• People who edit the writing of others

YOU WILL LEARN TO:

• Understand writing styles
• Explain writing assignments clearly
• Help staff reduce their writing time
• Ensure your own writing style is effective
• Edit for plain language and common grammar errors
• Provide effective feedback

COURSE OUTLINE

Understanding Writing Styles

• Determining the four basic writing styles
• Understanding your own style
• Learning about the styles of your staff
• Assigning a task to the right writer

Reviewing Plain Language

• The importance of meeting the needs of today’s reader
• The 10 commandments of successful writing
• Techniques to improve clarity and conciseness
• Tips for changing the tone of a document
• Clichés to avoid
• The most common grammar errors that rob writing of its professionalism

Speeding Up the Writing Process

• Knowing a professional writer’s tips for avoiding writer’s block
• Chunking the writing process
• Understanding how letters, reports and e-mails are organized differently
• Using a computer’s readability stats feature to improve writing

Providing Feedback

• Knowing the difference between editing and proofreading
• Using proofreader’s marks
• Mentoring a “difficult” writer
• Discussing assignments with staff
• Motivating staff to improve their writing

METHODS TO BE USED

Participants will be actively involved in exercises and activities designed to help them motivate their staff to write more effectively

For information regarding this course, please contact:

Colin Watson
Relationship Manager
J Watson Associates Inc

Tel: 905 820-9909

E-mail: sales@jwatsonassociates.com