Written Communication

By the end of this workshop the delegate will have learned the following:

• Apply the POWER model of business writing to help produce better reports, letters, and emails
• Produce reports, emails, and letters with a clearly defined purpose
• Select and organise content so that documents achieve the required purpose
• Apply the principles of Plain English when writing documents
• Apply appropriate email and letter writing etiquette
• Apply at least two different techniques for structuring reports, including constructing a persuasive line of argument
• Write an effective executive summary
• Produce reports, emails, and letters which have the desired effect on the reader

• Overview of the stages of the POWER model – Planning, Organising, Writing, Editing, and Reviewing
• Planning – clarifying the purpose of your document; considering your readers; identifying the desired effect of your document and how to achieve it.
• Organising – three categories of content (musts, shoulds, and coulds); structures for organising your content; constructing a persuasive line of argument.
• Writing – the principles of Plain English; writing in the active voice; practical exercise to measure the clarity of your writing and how to improve it.
• Editing – good practice guidance on editing your work.
• Reviewing – the two stages of reviewing; practical activity to review example emails and how to improve them
• Practical activities including business letter writing and writing an executive summary
• Action planning – how can I apply my learning in the workplace?