Course Introduction
Professional Writing is designed to provide adult learners with the basic skills they need to write effective documents in the workplace. In this course, you will learn how to analyze your audience so that you can write prose that is both clear and persuasive. You will practice writing common business documents, such as emails, memos, proposals, and presentations. You will also learn how to effectively edit these documents for maximum impact.
This course is part of the Professional Development Program (PRDV), which is designed especially for adult learners who are ready to gain and apply skills demanded by today's employers.
Unit 1: Know Your Audience and Purpose
When you are writing in a professional context, it is essential to cultivate an awareness and respect for your audience. Before you begin writing, you must determine for whom you are writing and why. Your goal should be to make your meaning as clear as possible, so your audience does not have to struggle to understand what you are saying. In this unit, you will learn how to analyze your audience, to identify your purpose for writing, and to prepare an outline that will help you get your point across.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 1.75 hours.
Unit 2: The Art of Persuasion
Now that you have determined your audience, crafted your main point, and created an outline, it is time to draft your document. In this unit, you will learn how to craft a memo or email message that will reinforce your main point and persuade your audience. You will also learn how to eliminate common problems that may distract your reader from your main point.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 1.25 hours.
Unit 3: Polishing Your Writing
In this age of instant communication, we have become accustomed to writing rapidly and reading documents filled with typographical errors, slang or abbreviations, and other common errors. While this may be the standard practice when text-messaging, it is not standard practice in the business world. Every piece of writing, no matter how brief, must be edited. In this unit, you will learn how to revise your writing so that it commands respect and attention.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 30 minutes.
