Better Writing for Business: Basics and Brush-Ups

Course Modules

Module 1: Covering the Basics

Tuesday, April 1, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm EDT

“Good writing announces your seriousness, establishing you as someone capable of caring and discipline.” – Frank Bruni

The intro session establishes the tone for our time together. Participants will be encouraged to set goals for themselves regarding what they hope to learn and apply.

We will kick off the program by reviewing the basics: the building blocks of good writing. Young professionals, and even mid-career folks, can use reminders and new insights on best practices for better writing. We’ll go over tips and techniques for immediate improvement, and I’ll encourage participants to begin by being more observant of their work and the work of others; to determine what makes writing good. 

The program culminates with the requirement of a written plan from each participant in order to obtain their certificate of completion and digital badge. From weeks one through six, I will encourage participants to begin formulating their own unique plan for improvement.

Awareness is key to analyzing good writing, differentiating it from mediocre material, and determining how to improve with new knowledge and practices. 

Module 2: Valuing the Role of Research and Planning

Tuesday, April 8, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm EDT
Guest presenter: Josh Bernoff

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin

In this module, we’ll examine some techniques for writing a solid article that answers “what’s in it for me?” from the perspective of customers.

In addition, Josh Bernoff, author of a popular book on business writing, will discuss key elements of writing and research. These include:

• Why there is no such thing as writer’s block.
• The four questions to ask before writing anything.
• How to start articles effectively.
• The value of stories. 

Module 3: Exercising Style and Substance

Tuesday, April 15, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm EDT
Guest presenter: Mark Jacob

“By the time I am nearing the end of a story, the first part will have been reread and altered and corrected at least one hundred and fifty times. I am suspicious of both facility and speed. Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this.”

– Roald Dahl

Want to write well? Here’s what NOT to do, according to Mark Jacob, editor of “Everybody Needs an Editor: The Essential Guide to Clear and Effective Writing.” Jacob will offer practical advice on avoiding landmines in your communication. This includes email subject lines, opening sentences, headlines, text length, sentence length, use of humor, etc.

He’ll provide plenty of bad examples.

Module 4: Writing More Persuasively

Tuesday, April 22, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm EDT
Guest Presenter: Marrianne McMullen

“To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful.” – Edward R. Murrow

Marrianne McMullen has played many roles: a communications professional-journalist, entrepreneur, public servant and advocate. As our guest speaker, she will explore some of the fundamentals of persuasion research and how to apply it to writing and communication campaigns. She also will introduce her Persuasion Matrix, a communication planning tool from her book “Persuasive: 40 Lessons in Communicating for the Common Good.” She will show the audience how the matrix factored into numerous successful campaigns. Participants also will receive a workbook to guide use of the matrix for campaign planning.

Module 5: Using AI Strategically

Tuesday, April 29, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm EDT
Guest presenter: Amy Merrick, senior professional lecturer, DePaul University

“Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That’s why it’s so hard."
– David McCullough

 AI offers to make writing easier, but some shortcuts can sacrifice creativity and critical thinking. DePaul University Senior Professional Lecturer Amy Merrick will join us to share her insights on how AI can be used as a writing, research and planning tool without sacrificing your own voice. The discussion will provide strategies for using AI to organize and refine your ideas while leaving space for surprise in the drafting process. From crafting targeted prompts to requesting useful feedback, you’ll leave with actionable tips for leveraging AI as an asset to your writing, not a substitute for it.

Module 6: Planning for Success, Control F-ING!

Tuesday, May 6, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm EDT

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” – Stephen King

Let’s put it all together.

After five weeks, we will have covered a lot of ground. Now it’s up to you to craft your own plan for improvement.

I’ll be joined by graduate students from DePaul University’s ProComm online graduate program who will share their experience with a writing plan and its impact on their thinking and their performance.

In addition, you’ll share what you’ve researched and offer as an example of “good writing.” And I’ll cover last-minute tips for polishing finished work.