How to Sharpen Your Business Writing Skills Seminar # 2516

Get the business writing skills to compose powerful, professional documents that get attention and prompt action.

To attract the attention of today’s busy readers, you must respond to their need for clarity and conciseness in written communication. In this four-day workshop, you will overcome “writer’s block,” learn to recognize and avoid common mistakes and receive a tool kit of proven techniques for delivering information powerfully, persuasively and professionally.

How You Will Benefit

• Update and improve your business writing skills for more effective and persuasive e-mails, memos, letters and reports
• Organize your documents with your readers’ needs in mind
• Create reader-friendly layouts to highlight important information
• Craft sentences that get and hold your readers’ attention
• Edit your writing for clarity and ease of reading
• Avoid archaic expressions and common grammar, punctuation and usage errors

What You Will Cover

Seven General Concepts

• Stating your purpose quickly
  
• Separating details from actions
  
• Writing conversationally to engage your readers
  
• Updating your writing style for today’s business environment
  
• Being specific and concrete
  
• Being personal and positive
  
• Avoiding overworked words and phrases

Organizing Information

• How to start writing quickly
  
• Organize information to help your readers
  
• "Data dumping” and mind mapping as organizational tools

Being Concise and Clear

• Measure your writing efficiency
  
• Recognize and eliminate unnecessary words, phrases and repetition
  
• Techniques for writing concretely
  
• Substitute heavy, confusing phrases with simple language
  

Using Strong Verbs

• How strong verbs improve writing
  
• Identify and avoid masked and passive verbs

Writing Letters

• Salutations and openings that get attention
  
• Effective transitional sentences and closings
  
• Personalize your letters to create interest and establish credibility
  
• How to be positive and convey sincerity
  
• Write refusal letters with clarity and tact

Reviewing Mechanics

• Correct grammar, punctuation and word usage
  
• Parallel construction
  
• Proofreading techniques

Showing Emphasis

• Structure your sentences for greater impact
  
• Reduce unnecessary story details
  
• Design your page effectively

Writing E-Mails, Memos and Reports

• Write simple, to-the-point e-mails
  
• Create attention-getting subject lines
  
• How to write a strong lead sentence
  
• Use a reader-friendly layout to emphasize main ideas
  
• Best practices of e-mail etiquette
  
• Organize your findings into a concise, effective format
  
• Design strong paragraphs to state your case powerfully
  
• Add graphic elements to organize and support your ideas
  
• Use an effective format for proposals

Who Should Attend

All business professionals who are required to present ideas in writing and wish to sharpen their business writing skills.
Recommended: Bring a sample written piece for self-evaluation.

Note: This course focuses on business writing skills. Participants interested in improving grammar should register for the Grammar Course Seminar #2236.

Extras from AMA

• Practical exercises to help you master every type of business writing, from the routine to the challenging
• Individualized coaching…confidential critiques
• The option to have your own writing samples evaluated (bring a sample of your writing with you)

Additional Information

• Extended Seminar Description
• Faculty Info
• Seminar Hours
• Travel and Accommodations
• Cancellation Policy
• Federal Government Employee Discounts
• On-Site Delivery

Registration Fee

4 days / 2.4 CEUs
Nonmembers $2,345 / AMA Members $2,095 / GSA $1,794

Schedule

We have 19 scheduled sessions located nationwide starting between July 13, 2009 and March 8, 2010.

• Call 1-877-566-9441 for an AMA Training Consultant.
• E-mail customerservice@amanet.org
• Fax AMA Text Registration Form
• Mail AMA Text Registration Form