Business Writing Essentials

1. Write a Baseline Email

2. Apply Best Practices

• Business writing
• Business style
• Business writing best practices
• 6 Cs

3. Assess the Audience

• The writing process
• Planning your message
• Setting a communication objective
• Assessing your audience
• The path to understanding
• Analyzing your audience
• Identifying stakeholder needs and preferences

4. Plan the Content

• Planning your message
• Structure

5. Correct the Language Convention Problems

• Language conventions
• Grammar basics
• Misplaced modifiers
• Punctuation
• Capitalization

6. Build Effective Sentences and Paragraphs

• Structuring sentences
• Transitions
• Structuring paragraphs
• Word choice
• Usage
• Literally
• Meaning and connotation
• Words to use carefully
• Active vs. passive voice
• Bullets vs. numbering
• Trim your writing

7. Write an Update Email

• Update email
• Formatting tips
• Writer’s block

8. Write an Announcement

• Announcements

9. Select Appropriate Level of Tone and Formality

• Formal vs. informal writing
• Tone
• Delivering bad news

10. Handle Conflict in Written Communications

• Sources of conflict
• Writing in conflict situations
• Managing conflict

11. Review a Proposal

• Proposals
• Evidence-based support
• Elements of a proposal

12. Select a Channel

• Business communication channels

13. Write an Executive Summary

• Reports
• Elements of a report
• Executive summaries

14. Revisit Your Email Writing Skills