Online Class: Business Writing

We live in a world where communication is paramount to survival. In a work environment where communication is equated with the professionalism and efficiency of an individual, would you jeopardize your career because of bad writing? Do you want the embarrassment of sending out a poorly written email to your peers? Can you risk sending out badly written communications to customers and putting your company's reputation on the line? Of course not, no one aspires to be a bad writer.
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  • 19
    Lessons
  • 41
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 19
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.9
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

We live in a world where communication is paramount to survival. In a work environment where communication is equated with the professionalism and efficiency of an individual, would you jeopardize your career because of bad writing? Do you want the embarrassment of sending out a poorly written email to your peers? Can you risk sending out badly written communications to customers and putting your company's reputation on the line? Of course not, no one aspires to be a bad writer. No one wants to communicate badly.

This crash course in business communication may help remedy your writing woes. From the basic do's and don'ts of business communication to the nitty-gritty of formatting, punctuation, tone and language--this course covers all the fundamentals. As a one stop guide to a professional's writing career, the class is ideal for assistants, secretaries, executives, managers, and senior managers of any company or organization. Learn about the common mistakes we make when writing a business letter. Learn how often people mistake 'affect' for 'effect', and 'except' for 'accept'.  Learn about how to write business emails.
 
This course will also give you insights into your reader's mind. Who are they? What do they want? How can you effectively reach out to them?
Courses Frequently Bought Together:
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Lesson 1: Write Right: How Poor Writing Hurts Business

The quality of your business writing can significantly affect your career and company's reputation. Focus on clear, concise, and error-free communication to maintain credibility and professionalism. 8 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment: Introduce Yourself
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Quiz

Lesson 2: Crafting Clear Messages: The Essentials of Business Writing

Business writing targets a varied audience with the objective of initiating action, requiring a clear understanding of who the readers are. This lesson covers key steps such as audience analysis, thought organization, and overcoming writer's block to craft impactful communications. 18 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Why are you taking this course?
  • Complete: Lesson 2: Assignment: Proposal
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Quiz

Lesson 3: Crafting Reader-Friendly Business Documents

A strong introduction captures the reader's interest and sets clear expectations for a business document, which should logically progress through well-structured paragraphs. Strategic use of blank spaces and proper margins enhances visual appeal and accessibility for the reader. Additional lesson topics: Tips for Formatting Business Documents 33 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment: Start-Up Sheet
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Quiz

Lesson 4: Mastering Business Writing: The Power of Spelling and Punctuation

With spelling and grammar being vital to professional image, this lesson debunks the security of spell-checkers and stresses the importance of manual revision. Common pitfalls in business writing, such as the misuse of words and reliance on jargon, can alienate readers, but following basic rules can enhance communication clarity. 94 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Quiz
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Verbs
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Periods
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Spelling
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Punctuation 1
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Punctuation 2

Lesson 5: Tailoring Your Written Voice in Professional Documents

The lesson highlights the importance of setting the right tone in written business communications, as it's essential for conveying the intended message accurately without the aid of nonverbal signals. Tone adjustment involves thinking from the reader's perspective and ensuring sensitivity to cultural and contextual nuances. Additional lesson topics: Appropriate Tone 28 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Review Practice Worksheet: OpeningandClosingPhrasesforBusinessWriting.doc
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment: Tone
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Quiz

Lesson 6: Discrimination-Free Business Writing

The lesson offers guidance on maintaining professional correspondence free from discriminatory language, emphasizing neutral salutations and titles. Acknowledging the evolution of societal norms, it advises against outdated terms that could harm reputation in cross-cultural settings. 27 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Quiz

Lesson 7: Business Correspondence Essentials

Different styles of business letters, like the block, modified block, and semi-block formats, emphasize layout variation but share a consistent focus on clarity and professionalism. While a warm introductory manner is suggested for most writings, sensitive messages require strategic phrasings, including indirect communication of bad news to cushion the impact. 84 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 7-1: Sympathy Letter
  • Complete: Assignment 7-2: Resignation Letter
  • Complete: Assignment 7-3 Complaint Letter
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Quiz

Lesson 8: Writing Letters with the Reader in Mind

A successful business letter combines professionalism with a personal touch, ensuring the reader's perspective is prioritized over the writer's preferences. By following structured steps—from drafting to proofreading—writers can create letters that are respectful, precise, and free of jargon or sarcasm. Additional lesson topics: The Basic Business Letter 34 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete Assignment: Lesson 8: Practice Exercise
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: Communicate with Clarity: The Art of Memo Writing

The art of writing a business memo lies in its simplicity and precision, using clear subject lines, structured content, and a professional tone suited for its readers. Effective memos enable concise and impactful communication, ensuring that key details are conveyed and understood without unnecessary embellishments. Additional lesson topics: Business Memos; Business Memo Formatting 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment: Practice Exercise
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10: Effective Strategies for Personalized Professional Messaging

Crafting personal business notes enhances professional relationships by conveying gratitude, condolences, or motivation concisely and with a personal touch. Ensure the notes are brief, formal or informal as appropriate, handwritten or typed, and meticulously proofread to maintain integrity. 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment A: Business Notes Writing
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam

Lesson 11: Mastering the Craft: Unveiling the Anatomy of a Perfect E-mail

With e-mail serving as a primary communication method, the lesson discusses the necessity of e-mail etiquette to enhance professionalism, efficiency, and safeguard against legal liabilities. It provides detailed recommendations for crafting precise, respectful, and readable e-mails to facilitate business communication and prevent potential conflicts. 65 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
  • Complete: Assignment 11-1: Meeting Email
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Quiz
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam Addition

Lesson 12: Efficient and Effective E-Mail Practices

Writing business e-mails requires a balance between brevity and clarity, mirroring printed memos but with added precision due to their potential permanence and accessibility. Essential tips include using proper salutations, avoiding informal abbreviations, and ensuring your message is relevant to all recipients. Additional lesson topics: Samples: Tips for Email Etiquette 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment: Email Writing
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam

Lesson 13: Writing a Winning Resume

Structuring a resume involves gathering and evaluating your educational background, work history, and skills to decide which details are most significant for the target job. The format, whether chronological or functional, depends on your career path and the impression you wish to convey to potential employers. Additional lesson topics: Sample Resumes; Resumes and Cover Letters 12 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Complete Assignment: Lesson 13: Resume Formats
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam

Lesson 14: Mastering Your Application Letter: Tips for Success

A standout application letter functions as a sales pitch for your skills and personality, serving to grab attention and communicate your fit for the job. Customizing it with the correct contact details and pertinent qualifications will aid in moving on to the interview stage. 33 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment: Application Letter Writing
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15: Refine Your Writing

The lesson underscores the necessity of proofreading and editing, essential for crafting professional documents, by emphasizing the importance of setting written work aside before reviewing it to gain clarity and catch errors. It provides a detailed guide through the stages of writing, editing, and proofreading, underscoring the necessity to distinguish between the two and offering insights into improving document quality through these practices. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam

Lesson 16: Three Essential Writing Commandments

Understanding the historical background and current perspectives on split infinitives, ending sentences with prepositions, and starting with conjunctions provides guidance on enhancing business writing. The lesson encourages balancing rule adherence with context-specific readability for effective communication. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 16 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam

Lesson 17: The Art and Science of Crafting Perfect Documents

Organizing information before writing ensures clarity, while proper grammar and punctuation enhance effective communication. Maintaining a positive tone and creating visually appealing documents bolster professional presentation. Additional lesson topics: 5 Business Writing Mistakes 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 17 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 17 Exam

Lesson 18: Punctuate Like a Pro

Proper punctuation transforms written communication by ensuring sentences are clear and comprehensible, which is critical for professional business writing. Familiarity with punctuation marks like commas, colons, semicolons, and apostrophes elevates the quality of text, making information more accessible and impactful. Additional lesson topics: Punctuation Basics for Business Writers 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 18 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 18 Exam

Lesson 19: Efficiently Utilizing Business Writing Resources

Mastering business writing is a continuous learning journey made easier with a variety of online and offline resources that are just a click away. By familiarizing yourself with helpful reference tools, you can enhance your writing skills without memorizing every rule. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 19 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Your Opinion Matters: Course Rating; Samples: Course Comments; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
  • Assessment: Lesson 19 Exam
592
Total Course Points
 

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