ONE-HOUR MODULES:
Seminar-style Modules:
[ Mostly review material. Students present results of editing. ]
Punctuation 101
Comma: Find and fix the four most common problems with the comma.
Apostrophe: Learn a memory aid for the trickiest use of the apostrophe.
More Marks: Review how to use the colon, semicolon, dash, and others.
Grammar 101
Wayward Modifiers: Practice with the four most common errors.
Pronoun References: Practice with the three most common errors.
Forms of Who(m): Learn the IC-WaWa technique to always get it right.
Usage 101
Words Misused: Create memory aids for those tricky homonyms.
Redundancies: Make it clear, by deleting redundant words and phrases.
Wordiness: Make it lean, by deleting deadwood and sandblasting bloat.
Style 101
Active Voice: Learn how to align the grammar to the story.
Parallel Structures: Coordinate similar elements in a parallel format.
Stimulating Sentences: Practice varying length and format.
Workshop-style Modules:
[ Mostly advanced material. Students present work for critique. ]
Correct Writing
Objective: Spot the 15 most common errors in writing at work.
Project: Proofread text from an industry summary.
Clear Writing
Objective: Learn three powerful techniques for achieving clarity.
Project: Edit writing samples from two position papers.
Concise Writing
Objective: Master the six-part pyramid of concise writing.
Project: Re-write several sections from a technical report.
Readable Writing
Objective: Learn how space, lists, and layering contribute to readability.
Project: Polish a draft memo from your HR department.
Technical Writing - Numbers
Objective: Learn the rules for writing numbers and units of measure.
Project: Correct some text from an environmental report.
Technical Writing - Reports
Objective: Learn how to quickly assemble reports for your colleagues.
Project: Write a brief technical report about a visit to a contractor.
Chart Writing - Words
Objective: Learn how to focus on the needs of the audience.
Project: Prepare a presentation for the CEO of your company.
Chart Writing - Graphics
Objective: Learn how to pick the best graphics format and the right text.
Project: Use 12 guidelines to improve the presentation of company data.
HOW IT WORKS:
- Choose any six modules for a full-day, onsite workshop.
- Provide a classroom and fill it with 12 to 24 students.
- Students write in groups and present their work for discussion.
WHAT IT COSTS:
INSTRUCTOR:
- Joseph W. Judge of Proofread.com
- Engineering degrees from RPI, MBA from Stanford
- 25+ years of writing-intensive work
- Author of several books and many business reports
MORE DETAILS: