Writing for business

What is the course about?

This course is aimed at those who are confident in the basics of business writing and wish to further enhance their understanding of the language, style and structure in a professional setting. You will learn to tailor your documents to your audiences for maximum impact, using skilful persuasive techniques.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- You will analyse examples of a variety of business correspondence in order to enhance your own writing style.
- You will plan complex business documents for a variety of purposes.
- You will understand the use of structuring tools when planning business writing.
- You will examine the language and vocabulary used in sophisticated business letters, emails, reports and proposals.
- You will develop appropriate tone, vocabulary and style of writing for a variety of purposes.
- You will improve upon examples of business writing and produce your own correspondence.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Develop your understanding of sophisticated business writing techniques.
- Explore approaches to style and structure that will impress colleagues and employers in the workplace.
- Set clear objectives for your writing.
- Tailor your communication to your audiences for maximum impact.
- Use a variety of advanced online tools to develop your writing.
- Make use of clever techniques to plan your writing.
- Enhance your core professional development and succeed in your chosen career path.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Students should have a firm grasp of formal writing and an enthusiasm for developing their writing to a more sophisticated level.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Classes will consist of presentations from your tutor, pair and group work, writing exercises, reading exercises and class discussion.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please bring a paper and pen for taking notes.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.