Series 900: Maintenance Management
Course 907: Effective Written Communication
Covers how to organize written communication. Identifies parts of speech, phrases, clauses, and sentences. Explains importance of syntax. Discusses mechanics of structure and punctuation. Gives examples of different forms of business writing.
Lesson 1 - Planning Your Writing
Topics:
Write to inform; Persuasive writing; Know your audience; Point of view; Tone; Organizing your writing; Thinking before you write
Learning Objectives:
- Tell how to determine the purpose for writing.
- Explain why it is crucial to know the audience.
- Give examples of a writer's point of view.
- List techniques used in prewriting.
- Describe how to organize a written piece.
Lesson 2 - Building a Sentence
Topics:
Parts of speech; Multiple word functions; Phrases, clauses, and sentences; Verb features; Sentence fragments; Modifiers; Agreement
Learning Objectives:
- Identify each of the parts of speech.
- Explain multiple word functions.
- Distinguish among phrases, clauses, and sentences.
- Give examples of verb features.
- Recognize misplaced modifiers.
Lesson 3 - The Mechanics of Writing
Topics:
Syntactical problems; Active vs. passive voice; Parallel structure; Punctuation
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the importance of syntax.
- Compare the passive voice with the active voice.
- Recognize parallel structure.
- Identify the different types of punctuation.
- Give examples of comma usage.
Lesson 4 - Building a Paragraph
Topics:
Paragraph coherence, unity, length; Topic sentences; Funnel and pyramid patterns; Patterns of development; Editing
Learning Objectives:
- Explain how the length of a paragraph affects reader comprehension.
- Identify topic sentences.
- Compare and contrast the different patterns of paragraph development.
- Recognize deadwood in a written piece.
Lesson 5 - Business Writing
Topics:
Memos; Letters; Letter, memo, and report formats; Recommendation reports
Learning Objectives:
- Give examples of memo, letter, and report format.
- Explain how to use and write a memo.
- Explain how to use and write a letter.
- Explain how to use and write a report.
