Business Writing Essentials
How to write emails, memos and short documents that busy colleagues actually read and act on — reader-first structure, plain language and disciplined editing. For anyone in an industrial or office role who writes at work.
50m
Total time
4
Competency levels
12
Lessons
What you'll learn
- Explain why reader-first writing gets faster, better responses than writer-first writing
- State the main point of a message in the first two sentences (bottom line up front)
- Replace jargon and long constructions with plain, direct language
- Structure documents with short paragraphs, informative headings and lists
- Match tone and level of detail to the audience and situation
- Edit your own writing in ordered passes and apply email etiquette that respects readers' time
Curriculum
Progress through each competency level in order.
1
Awareness
- 2mWrite for the Reader, Not for YourselfKnowledge
- 2mBottom Line Up FrontKnowledge
- 7mAwareness Check: Reader-First BasicsAssessment
2
Knowledge
- 2mPlain Language Over JargonKnowledge
- 2mStructure: Paragraphs, Headings and ListsKnowledge
- 8mKnowledge Check: Language and StructureAssessment
3
Skill
- 2mTone, Audience and Editing in PassesKnowledge
- 3mRewrite a Real Workplace MessageAssignment
- 8mSkill Check: Tone and EditingAssessment
4
Mastery
- 3mEmail Etiquette That Gets ActionKnowledge
- 3mCommunication Audit and StandardAssignment
- 8mMastery Assessment: Business Writing JudgementAssessment
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