COURSE TITLE
WRITING BUSINESS REPORTS AND PROPOSALS
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OVERVIEW  

Many writers in management positions are defeated by the attitude that writing is a daunting task. Our aim is to teach the habits of good writing. With the proper attitude, a respect for how words work together, and knowledge of the conventions of usage, your writing can be clear, concise, and easy to read.

This course is intended to help you do the writing your job demands. If you are a manager at any level in business, government, or industry, you must write reports. Whether you want to or not, you must write to explain things, to smooth relationships, and/or to convince others of the value of some course of action. Such writing must be clear, concise, complete, and correct. It must also convey your message in a courteous tone. The workshop will help you to identify the range of this kind of writing, the forms it takes, and the persuasive techniques it requires.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES  
  • To learn the value of good written communications.
  • To develop paragraphs that introduce, connect, develop, and conclude some part of an idea.
  • To prepare reports and proposals that inform, persuade, and provide information.
  • To learn how to proofread your work so you are confident it is clear, concise, complete, and correct.
  • To provide an opportunity to apply these skills in real work applications.
COURSE OUTLINE  

Day One

    1. Becoming a Good Writer         
    2. The Nine Rules of Writing
    3. Readability Index         
    4. Paragraphs
      • Creating Proper Paragraphs
      • Topic Sentences and Key Words     
    5. Unity and Coherence   
    6. Emphasis         
    7. Active and Passive Voice         
    8. The Stages of Report Writing
      • The Four Stages        
    9. The First Stage: Investigation                            
      • Search Strategies         
      • Citing Sources
    10. The Second Stage: Planning     

Day Two

    1. Audience         
    2. Format            
      • Using the Correct Format        
      • The Direct Approach   
      • The Indirect Approach
    3. Organization
      • Using a Summary
      • Planning
    4. The Third Stage: Writing          
      • Drafting Your Report   
      • Creating a Report        
    5. The Fourth Stage: Revision      
    6. Formal Reports
      •  Parts of a Formal Report
    7. How to Use Headings  
    8. Charts and Graphs       
    9. Writing Proposals
      • Differences
      • Ten Steps         
    10. The Acid Test  
    11. Designing your Message          
    12. Dealing with Tough Questions  
    13. Pre-Assignment Review
METHODOLOGY  
  • Large group discussions and activities
  • Individual work and practice exercises
  • Small group discussion, practice exercises and activities
  • Examination, dissection and evaluation of selected writings
WHO SHOULD ATTEND  
  • All levels of staff who are interested in improving their business writing competency
PRE-REQUISITES

 
  • Completed pre-assignment
DURATION  
  • 2 Days
CLASS SIZE  
  • .6 – 20