Online Class: Business Writing

A crash course in business communication for help with writing woes. From the basic do's and don'ts of business writing to the nitty-gritty of formatting, punctuation, tone and language--this course covers all the fundamentals.

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$120.00
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$120.00 (with CEU Certificate)
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  • 19
    Lessons
  • 31
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 5,673
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 11
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.1
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

In an era where global collaboration and instant communication dominate the business world, the ability to convey one's ideas and intentions clearly and professionally becomes a non-negotiable asset. After all, in a realm where your written word often makes the first impression long before you do, who would willingly risk their professional stature due to poor writing? The stakes are even higher when you consider the potential of jeopardizing your company's credibility with less than impeccable communications to customers and stakeholders.

Introducing our comprehensive course on business communication, meticulously designed to transform your written communications from ordinary to exceptional. Delve into the intricacies of professional writing, from the foundational rules of grammar to the subtleties of tone and nuance.

For instance, have you ever paused, pondering whether 'affect' or 'effect' is suitable for a particular sentence? Or stumbled over the distinctions between 'except' and 'accept'? Such common dilemmas, though seemingly trivial, can significantly impact the perceived quality of your writing. Through detailed examples and thorough explanations, we'll navigate these linguistic intricacies, ensuring you not only learn but master them.

Our course doesn't just equip you with the knowledge; it offers an insight into the psyche of your readers. Understanding your audience is paramount; recognizing their expectations, preferences, and reservations enables you to craft messages that resonate and elicit desired responses.

Dive into a detailed curriculum, structured to provide holistic training:

  • Lesson 1: The High Cost of Poor Writing: Realizing its Impact on Business.
  • Lesson 2: Foundations of Business Writing: Setting the Stage for Excellence.
  • Lesson 3: Crafting Messages with the Reader in Mind: Building Accessibility and Relevance.
  • Lesson 4: The Pillars of Grammar: Spelling and Punctuation.
  • Lesson 5: Striking the Right Chord: Determining and Maintaining Tone.
  • Lesson 6: Navigating the Minefield: Avoiding Discriminatory Language.
  • Lessons 7-9: Writing with Purpose: Specialized Business Communications from Letters to Memos.
  • Lessons 10-12: The Digital Age Correspondence: Crafting Perfect Emails with Etiquette.
  • Lessons 13 & 14: Making First Impressions Count: Resumes and Application Letters.
  • Lesson 15: The Final Touch: Proofreading and Editing Techniques.
  • Lessons 16-18: Principles and Advanced Concepts: A Deep Dive into Writing Rules and Punctuation.
  • Lesson 19: Beyond the Course: Additional Writing Resources.

Ideal for a diverse audience, from budding professionals like assistants and secretaries to seasoned veterans like executives and senior managers, this course promises a significant enhancement in your communication skills, irrespective of your current proficiency level.

To sum it up, as professionals, we owe it to ourselves and our organizations to communicate with precision, clarity, and elegance. Our course stands as a testament to the idea that the art of effective business communication, while intricate, can be mastered with the right guidance. Join us on this enlightening journey, and watch as every word you pen thereafter carries the weight and grace of a seasoned professional.

Course Motivation

Are you looking for a way to advance your career and improve your professional marketability? 

If so, this is the course for you.
 
Nothing can undermine a promising career in business like poor written communication skills can. And while many people don't like to write, the ability to communicate ideas in writing is an absolute necessity in the business world. From memos to e-mails to white papers, as you make your way up the corporate ladder, writing becomes an increasingly large and important part of your job.
 
If your writing skills have been found lacking...  If you have trouble deciding between 'affect' and 'effect', where to place that comma, or how to structure an argument to best achieve your purpose, look no further than Business Writing Basics.
 
This course is designed as a one-stop guide to professional writing that will introduce you to the key elements of effective written communication.  As you progress through the eight lessons in this course, you will learn what makes good and bad writing, how to craft an understandable message, the basics of grammar and punctuation, how to draft a perfect e-mail, and much more!
 
With no physical classes to attend and no additional materials to buy, this course is ideal for the busy professional looking to grow his or her career!
 
So, whether you are an administrative assistant, manager, executive, or CEO, enroll today and take your career to the next level!
 
The ability to communicate effectively in writing can make or break your career.  Fair or unfair, your co-workers, employers, and clients will make judgments about your intellect and professionalism based on your writing.  Few things can destroy a business professional's or a company's reputation like poorly written communications can.  On the other hand, clear, concise, and well-written communications can enhance your and your company's professional image.
 
Since the stakes are so high, can you afford to leave your writing skills to chance?  Can you afford to jeopardize your career and reputation?
 
Of course not!  The good news is there are simple steps you can take to improve your writing skills.  This course is designed to meet the needs of the busy professional.  With a flexible schedule and no additional materials to buy, you don't have to invest a lot of time and money to develop skills that may save your career.  Can you afford not to?
 
Improving your writing skills will open doors to new and exciting opportunities.  If you are looking for a way to score that big promotion or land a new job, using the writing skills you will learn in this course is a step in the right direction.
There is no time to waste!  Enrollment is always open, so sign up today.  Your career is waiting!
  • 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

Average Lesson Rating:
4.3 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(4,636 votes)

Lesson 1: Manage Your Writing: How Bad Business Writing Is Bad For Your Business

8 Points
Manage Your Writing: How Bad Business Writing Is Bad for Your Business
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment: Introduce Yourself
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Quiz

Lesson 2: Getting Started in Business Writing

8 Points
Getting Started in Business Writing
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Quiz

Lesson 3: Making the Message Accessible to the Reader

8 Points
Making the Message Accessible to the Reader
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Quiz

Lesson 4: Spelling and Punctuation in Business Writing

94 Points
In this lesson, we will look at methods for eliminating your mistakes in business writing by following some simple rules of spelling and punctuation.
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Quiz
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Verbs
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Spelling
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Periods
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Punctuation 1
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: Punctuation 2

Lesson 5: Determining the Tone of Your Communication

8 Points
Determining the tone of your communications.
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Review Practice Worksheet: OpeningandClosingPhrasesforBusinessWriting.doc
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Quiz

Lesson 6: Be Politically Correct - How to Avoid Discriminatory Language in Business Communications

7 Points
Be Politically Correct: How to Avoid Discriminatory Language in Business Communications
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Quiz

Lesson 7: Business Writing for Special Purposes

34 Points
Often business letters are the first contact one makes with a prospective client or an employer; hence it becomes critical that you get the tone and message of the letter right, to make a good impression.
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 7-1: Sympathy Letter
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Quiz

Lesson 8: Business Letters

34 Points
This lesson describes how to write a professional business letter.
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete Assignment: Lesson 8: Practice Exercise
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: Business Memos

10 Points
This lesson explains how to make concise business memos.
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10: Personal Business Notes

10 Points
This lesson explains how to write personal business notes.
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam

Lesson 11: Anatomy of a Perfect E-mail

65 Points
In this lesson, we look at what makes a perfect e-mail and discuss the dos and don'ts of business e-mails.
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
  • Complete: Assignment 11-1: Meeting Email
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Quiz
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam Addition

Lesson 12: Business E-mails and E-mail Etiquette

35 Points
This lesson explains how to write business e-mails.
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment: Email Writing
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam

Lesson 13: Resumes

10 Points
This lesson will explain how to format and write a professional resume.
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam

Lesson 14: Application Letters

8 Points
This lesson describes how to make an application letter to go along with your resume.
  • Lesson 14 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15: Proofreading and Editing

11 Points
This lesson explains the importance of editing and proofreading and how to go about it.
  • Lesson 15 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam

Lesson 16: Three Writing Rules

10 Points
This lesson discusses the three writing rules of splitting infinitives, ending sentences with a preposition, and beginning a sentence with a conjunction.
  • Lesson 16 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam

Lesson 17: Writing Rules

10 Points
This lesson looks at some of the various writing rules. You will learn what makes them rules and how it will help create better business writing.
  • Lesson 17 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 17 Exam

Lesson 18: Additional Punctuation

10 Points
This lesson discusses punctuation for business writing. You will learn what good punctuation is and why it is important.
  • Lesson 18 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 18 Exam

Lesson 19: Writing Resources

10 Points
This lesson explains where to find additional explanations and help through outside resources. You'll learn where you can get more help in reviewing grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and more.
  • Lesson 19 Video
  • Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Course Comments
  • Assessment: Lesson 19 Exam
390
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Describe ways to manage your business writing.
  • Describe editing tools used to making your message more accessible to the reader.
  • Summarize basic spelling and punctuation rules.
  • Describe what your tone should be in business writing.
  • Describe how to be politically correct in your business writing.
  • Demonstrate acceptable methods for writing business letters.
  • Demonstrate acceptable methods for writing business memos.
  • Demonstrate how to write acceptable business emails and proper email etiquette.
  • Demonstrate how to correctly write and format resumes and application letters.
  • Describe the three major writing rules when writing for business.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Business Writing
Course Number: 57700117
Lessons Rating: 4.3 / 5 Stars (4,636 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: You can take this course online in every U.S. state including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. International availability includes English-speaking countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, and South Africa.
Last Updated: February 2024
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 1.1 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "I thought the course was very helpful in not just business, but personal and email writing that I use every day. I appreciate the samples in the lessons." -- Laura S.
  • "I think it was very helpful, I learned a lot on business writing that I didn't know before I took this course." -- Januari O.
  • "I did find the course a helpful refresher. It was quite thorough and included many examples. It would be good for new college hires to review." -- Nina F.
  • "This was really helpful. I know enough about writing and grammar to get by but I haven't had any real experiences with business-focused writing until this class. Thank you." -- Lisa L.
  • "I have found this business writing course to be extremely helpful. Last week, my supervisor already noticed an improvement in my memos!" -- Joanne M.
  • "This course was very helpful and I learned a lot, I'm very thankful." -- Edward J.
  • "I really enjoyed this course. I feel more confident with my business writing." -- Tracey B.
  • "This course was very helpful. I think it has the right amount of information." -- Joli P.
  • "What was most helpful was the assignments graded by the instructor, it is the most detailed in all the classes I was taking. Good job." -- Wei W.
  • "The instructor was excellent and very knowledgeable. This was a review of everything that I took in college. Sometimes you become too relaxed with your writing and this course made me realize this." -- Dorothy D.
View More Testimonials...
 

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