After completing this course, the student should be able to:
 

	Use a Planning Worksheet to write letters, memos and reports
	Choose words that are effective, correct and nondiscriminatory
	Build sentences that are precise, varied and correct
	Write paragraphs that are unified and coherent

A Planning Worksheet
Explains how to analyze and plan for a business writing task.  Shows how to use a Planning Worksheet and explains why a Planning Worksheet is useful for effective business writing.
 

	Initial Analysis Initial Analysis questions of a Planning Worksheet.  Using these questions to approach a business writing task.
	Audience Analysis Audience Analysis questions of a Planning Worksheet.  Using these questions to focus writing to achieve a goal.
	Presentation Analysis

Presentation Analysis questions of a Planning Worksheet.  Selecting the best format and style to match a writing task.

Word Choice
Shows the importance of selecting effective words in business communications.  
 

	Five Qualities of Effective Words Five qualities of effective words.  Selecting the most effective word to use in a variety of writing situations.
	Rules of Correct Word Usage Choosing the correct word to use in specific writing situations.  Identifying and avoiding common mistakes in word usage.
	More Rules of Correct Word Usage Selecting the correct word to use in specific writing situations.  Identifying and avoiding common mistakes in word usage.
	Guidelines for Nondiscriminatory Language Three methods of avoiding sexist language.  Writing without age, ethnic or disability bias.

Sentence Building
Examines how to write effective sentences and how to avoid common sentence faults.  
 

	Effective Sentences Writing effective sentences with correct word usage.  Identifying weaknesses in sentence construction.
	Sentence Length and Variety Writing sentences of appropriate length and variety.  Varying sentence patterns to achieve sentence variety.
	Common Sentence Faults Identifying common sentence faults.  Avoiding common sentence faults.

Paragraph Design
Explains how to write well-designed paragraphs.  Topics include: paragraph structure, paragraph unity, effective length and content coherence.
 

Structure, Unity, Length and Coherence Constructing paragraphs with correct structure and appropriate length.  Writing unified and coherent paragraphs.