Effective Writing Workshop
Performance Schedule
Six three-hour sessions
Eighteen instructional hours
Or a customized schedule
Course Objective
Writing effectively means more than just writing correctly. It means developing a sensitivity to the reader’s needs, an awareness of the purpose of writing a specific communication, and the ability to order ideas and word them for maximum impact and clarity.
Specific Course Goals
- analyze the purpose and scope of a particular writing situation and adapt their writing to the situation
- assess the needs and knowledge of the intended readers so that the writing is appropriate for the audience
- write concisely
- use concrete rather than abstract words in their writing whenever possible
- prefer the active voice to give vigor to their writing
- coordinate and subordinate ideas so that their relationship is clear
- write sentences free of awkward constructions
- vary sentence structure to increase reader interest
- develop unified, coherent paragraphs
- recognize common errors in grammar and punctuation
- organize ideas logically to increase the clarity of the message
- use time efficiently
- offer constructive criticism of their own writing and the writing of others
- accept the constructive criticism of reviewers
- use simple words
Course Concept
This course focuses on reader-oriented communication. Participants will write letters and memos that reflect an understanding of the communication process. The exercises will encourage participants to be tuned in to problems of tone and clarity.
The instructor serves as motivator, resource person, and evaluator of student progress.
Materials
The contractor will provide more than 100 pages of handouts in a loose-leaf binder, A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker, and Exercises to Accompany A Writer’s Reference.