Module 1: Preparation for Business English Writing

1.        General considerations and principles of effective business writing

2.        Basic principles for business written communication

3.        Clarity Vs Confusion

4.        Courtesy Vs Discourtesy

5.        Conversational Tone Vs Business Jargon

6.        Positive Language Vs Negative Language

7.        You-Attitude Vs We-Attitude

8.        Direct Organization Vs Indirect Organization

9.        Characteristics of effective business writing

10.      Module Summary

11.      Assignments

12.     Self-assessment tools for writing assignments

1.        Structural parts of business letters

2.        The heading

3.        The inside address

4.        The salutation

5.        The body of the letter

6.        The complimentary close

7.        The signature, the postscript and the enclosure

8.        Three main formats

9.        Block style/format

10.      Modified block format

11.      Semi-block format with indented paragraphs

12.     Group discussion

13.      Tips concerning envelope writing

14.      Module Summary

15.     Self-assessment tool for the writing assignment

16.      Module assignment

1. Select an appropriate style for the audience you're addressing
2. Handle e-mail correspondence efficiently and effectively using suitable outline and complex writing styles
3. Select an appropriate style for the audience you are addressing
4. Write an effective telex using appropriate layout and style
5. Write an effective fax using appropriate layout and style

The module is intended to help you understand the structure and the features of E-writing tools and such means of computer mediated communication and telecommunications as E-mail, telex and fax.

Module 4: Memorandum Writing

1.        What is a memorandum?

2.        Four different types of memorandum

3.        Typical layout of a memorandum

4.        Tone and style

5.        Tips for memo writing

6.        Module summary

7.        Module assignment

8.        Self-assessment checklist

Module 5: Meeting Documents

1. Meeting Notice and Agenda

2. Problems with scheduling meetings

3. Creating a meeting agenda

4. Tips on meeting management

5. Types of meeting minutes

6. How to take minutes at a business meeting

7. Useful language for running a business meeting

8. Module Summary

9. Module assignments

10. Self-assessment checklist

Upon completion of this module, participants should be able to:

1.        Develop a range of writing processes appropriate to business report in order to convey information design to assist in decision-making

2.        Know and go through logical steps to produce report designed to help solve a business-related problem. Specifically, know to:

a.        Determine the scope of the report

b.       Consider the audience

c.        Gather and analyze relevant and useful information

d.       Determine the solution to a business-related problem

e.        Organize the report to assist the decision-making process

3.        Know how to observe appropriate generic conventions and formats. Use effective writing styles and tones to produce a structured report.

4.        Design, draft, revise and proofread a particular type of business report

1.        Understand and use adequate layout, format and style to write business letters that are persuasive, correct and professional

2.        Produce business correspondence that is relevant to your audience, accurate and that conveys the message clearly

3.        Familiarize yourself with various common types of business letters

4.        Understand and use letter-writing basic principles