Business Writing and Grammar Basics Curriculum Outline
Business Writing: Know Your Readers and Your Purpose
Overview/DescriptionTo write effective and appropriate business messages, you need to know your readers. Are you addressing multiple readers or a single reader? How much knowledge do your readers have of your subject, and what issues concern them most? These are just some of the questions to consider before you start writing your message. Closely tied with knowing your readers is knowing your purpose for writing. Do you need to inform customers about a new policy, or do you need to persuade employees to adopt a new business practice? Knowing your purpose will focus your message, making it clear to readers why it is important to them. In addition, identifying who your audience is and what your purpose is will guide you in selecting an appropriate tone for your business message. Tone is a significant element in writing – one that affects how the reader will respond to your message. Tone refers to the writers attitude toward the reader and subject matter as expressed in the way the message is written. Have you ever received a memo that annoyed you by its tone? For example, it might have been patronizing or too familiar. The key to controlling the tone of your writing is to put yourself in the place of your reader. And you need to carefully choose the words that will create the right tone for your message. When you know who your readers are and what your purpose is, you can tailor your tone to suit them. This will help you create more effective business messages. This course addresses ways to identify your readers and to create messages that convey the appropriate tone for different reader roles. It also outlines how to write effectively for the three most common reasons for writing a business document – to inform, respond, or persuade.
Target AudienceIndividuals, at any level in an organization, who want to refresh or refine their basic business writing skills
Expected Duration (hours)1.0
Lesson Objectives Business Writing: Know Your Readers and Your Purpose
Identify key characteristics to consider when analyzing the targeted readers of a business document Identify attributes to consider when defining your relationship to the reader Determine the appropriate written message to use for a given situation Recognize the value of knowing the appropriate tone to use to address your readers Use the appropriate writing tone to communicate a written business message for a given purpose and audience Course Number:
comm_19_a01_bs_enus Back to ListBusiness Writing: How to Write Clearly and Concisely
Overview/DescriptionPeople who have no problem communicating clearly when they speak sometimes struggle to make themselves understood when they write. Thats because the ability to write clearly and concisely is a skill that requires effort to master. Acquiring this skill gives you the tools to create effective business documents for readers who lack the time or the patience to search for essential information buried in long, rambling e-mails or reports. Writing clearly also entails organizing content logically and appropriately for the subject and reader. Clear and concise sentences get you part of the way. But you need to organize these into coherent paragraphs that convey the relevant information in the most effective way. This course describes ways to make your writing more clear. Specifically, it covers the importance of using short, familiar words, appropriate connotations, concrete and specific language, and transitional words and phrases. The course also discusses ways to be more concise and explains some best practices for organizing content logically and appropriately.
Target AudienceIndividuals, at any level in an organization, who want to refresh or refine their basic business writing skills
Expected Duration (hours)1.0
Lesson Objectives Business Writing: How to Write Clearly and Concisely
Recognize sentences that reflect the techniques of clear writing Recognize how to apply the techniques of concise writing to a given sample of business writing Identify ways to organize content to increase reader understanding Course Number:
comm_19_a02_bs_enus Back to ListBusiness Writing: Editing and Proofreading
Overview/DescriptionWhen it comes to business writing, most individuals dont really appreciate the importance of editing and proofreading a document before sending it. But have you ever distributed a document or message only to find later that you forgot to include a key point or correct an embarrassing spelling error? Reviewing is a crucial stage in the writing process. It entails editing for clarity, tone, accuracy, and completeness, and also proofreading for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Carelessness reflects badly on you, your work, and your organization. Taking the time to edit and proofread your writing will help you produce more focused, polished, and effective business documents. This course highlights the importance of editing and proofreading your business documents. It describes some key areas to consider when editing – like tone, structure, clarity, and accuracy. You will also explore ways to proofread effectively. In particular, you will find out about some of the most common grammatical, punctuation, and spelling mistakes that people make.
Target AudienceIndividuals at any level in an organization who want to refresh or refine their basic business writing skills
Expected Duration (hours)1.0
Lesson Objectives Business Writing: Editing and Proofreading
Distinguish between editing and proofreading Identify general techniques that help you edit and proofread effectively Recognize the types of errors made in a given business document Recognize mechanical errors in a given business document Course Number:
comm_19_a03_bs_enus Back to ListBusiness Grammar: Parts of Speech
Overview/DescriptionDo you know what the eight parts of speech are? Such a question probably brings back memories of dull grammar lessons in elementary school, where you first heard the term parts of speech. Whats the point of learning these now? Being reminded of the functions of different parts of speech can help you write with more confidence. The parts of speech are the building blocks of sentences, so finding out about them can help you skillfully combine words into meaningful sentences. This course defines the functions of the eight parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, interjections, and conjunctions. In particular, it focuses on how to use them effectively, and correctly. And it provides special focus on nouns, adverbs, adjectives, and verbs, including verb tenses. When you have finished the course, youll have the necessary building blocks to develop your writing skills.
Target AudienceAnyone who wants to refresh or refine their basic business grammar skills for any kind of business writing, from e-mail and memos to reports and presentations
Expected Duration (hours)1.0
Lesson Objectives Business Grammar: Parts of Speech
Recognize the parts of speech in given sentences Recognize the correct use of nouns in given sentences Recognize the correct use of adjectives and adverbs in given sentences Recognize the voice and mood of given verbs Match the sentences with the verb tenses they contain Course Number:
comm_20_a01_bs_enus Back to ListBusiness Grammar: Working with Words
Overview/DescriptionDo you remember what prefixes and suffixes are? Do you know how to form plurals and possessives correctly in your business writing? Are you confident when it comes to spelling? This course explains how to use words correctly, including some key rules on how to spell correctly. It covers rules for properly constructing prefixes and suffixes. In addition, the course describes how to form plurals and possessives correctly. And it presents spelling rules and tips to help you become a better speller. Knowing the rules, as well as the exceptions, when it comes to details like these will make you a more confident writer and leave a good impression on your readers.
Target AudienceIndividuals who want to refresh or refine their basic business grammar skills for any kind of business writing, from e-mail and memos to reports and presentations
Expected Duration (hours)1.0
Lesson Objectives Business Grammar: Working with Words
Recognize how to correctly construct prefixes and suffixes Recognize how to form plurals correctly Identify examples of correctly formed possessives Recognize basic spelling rules that govern the spelling of given words Identify ways you can become a better speller Course Number:
comm_20_a02_bs_enus Back to ListBusiness Grammar: The Mechanics of Writing
Overview/DescriptionAs you sit down to write your business messages, do you ever find yourself wondering whether a word should be capitalized or abbreviated? Or whether you should spell out a number rather than use a figure? Knowing the correct way to abbreviate, capitalize, and express numbers in your business messages goes a long way in helping you to present yourself as a reputable professional. This course presents the basic rules for using capital letters, abbreviations, and numbers. It covers abbreviations of titles, names, locations, and countries, as well as how to capitalize direct quotes, titles, names of organizations, and product names, among other elements. In addition, you will be introduced to the forms and uses of numbers with dates and time, money, fractions, and symbols.
Target AudienceIndividuals who want to refresh or refine their basic business grammar skills for any kind of business writing, from e-mail and memos to reports and presentations
Expected Duration (hours)1.0
Lesson Objectives Business Grammar: The Mechanics of Writing
Recognize how to use abbreviations correctly Recognize examples that use correct capitalization Recognize the correct use of numbers in given examples Course Number:
comm_20_a03_bs_enus Back to ListBusiness Grammar: Punctuation
Overview/DescriptionDo you know when to use commas in a sentence? Do you know when its better to use a semicolon rather than a colon? And whats the difference between parentheses and brackets, or between the hyphen and the dash? Knowing the answers to these questions will ensure that youre using punctuation correctly in your business messages. And by doing so, youll convey a professional image and inspire confidence in your work and in your company. In this course, youll review the standard rules and guidelines for using punctuation appropriately. Youll start by reviewing how to correctly apply end punctuation, including the correct use and rules for periods, question marks, and exclamation points. Youll also find out how to correctly use commas, one of the most common punctuation marks. The course also describes rules for using different connecting and separating marks, such as colons, semicolons, dashes, and hyphens. In addition, it shows how to properly use apostrophes, parentheses, brackets, and quotation marks.
Target AudienceIndividuals who want to refresh or refine their basic business grammar skills for any kind of business writing, from e-mail and memos to reports and presentations
Expected Duration (hours)1.0
Lesson Objectives Business Grammar: Punctuation
Recognize examples of correctly applied rules for using end punctuation Recognize how to use commas correctly Identify sentences in which commas are misused Recognize how to use semicolons, colons, and dashes correctly Recognize how to use apostrophes, parentheses, brackets, and quotation marks correctly Course Number:
comm_20_a04_bs_enus Back to ListBusiness Grammar: Sentence Construction
Overview/DescriptionPeople write sentences everyday in business. However, sometimes those sentences are not as well constructed as they could be. A misplaced modifier might get a chuckle out of the reader, but it doesnt help your reputation or that of your company. Nor does a run-on sentence, which can blur the meaning of your message and cause the reader to be confused and even annoyed. In this course, youll review basic sentence construction, including how to develop sentences that are logical, clear, and powerful – the basis of any sound business document. The course examines the parts of a sentence – the subject and predicate, for example – and distinguishes between phrases and clauses. It shows the importance of subject-verb agreement, as well as agreement between pronouns and their antecedents. Youll also find out how to identify and fix some of the most common types of sentence errors.
Target AudienceIndividuals who want to refresh or refine their basic business grammar skills for any kind of business writing, from e-mail and memos to reports and presentations
Expected Duration (hours)1.0
Lesson Objectives Business Grammar: Sentence Construction
Recognize the parts of a sentence Identify phrases and clauses in given sentences Identify sentences that have the correct subject-verb agreement Recognize examples of pronouns and antecedents that agree in person, number, and gender Recognize how to fix sentence fragments Recognize how to fix comma splices and run-on sentences Identify the sentences with misplaced or dangling modifiers Course Number:
comm_20_a05_bs_enus Back to ListBusiness Grammar: Common Usage Errors
Overview/DescriptionWhen do you use whos or whose? And when should you choose less rather than fewer? Understanding the subtle variations in meanings of such words – ones that are often misused or confused – is important if you want to write clearly and professionally. This course describes how to use commonly confused words correctly, including word pairs that sound alike and those that have related meanings. It also covers verbs that are often misused – for example, affect and effect or apprise and appraise. In addition, the course reviews some idiomatic combinations of verbs and prepositions that can be confusing.
Target AudienceIndividuals who want to refresh or refine their basic business grammar skills for any kind of business writing, from e-mail and memos to reports and presentations
Expected Duration (hours)1.0
Lesson Objectives Business Grammar: Common Usage Errors
Correctly use commonly confused word pairs Recognize the correct usage of commonly misused verbs and other words Recognize the appropriate idiomatic expression to use in given sentences Course Number:
comm_20_a06_bs_enus Back to List
Business Writing and Grammar Basics
This self-paced online training course introduces individuals to the essential concepts of Business Writing and Grammar
Basics. Writing can be a more complex term then it appears, especially business writing. Many factors need to be examined
when somebody is trying to create a document. Different words may sound the same but have different spellings and meanings.
Sentence structure is sometimes hard to establish including applying the right word choices and length. Our course can help
to better define the rules of business writing and help professionals apply them in order to be a more proficient writer.
Marketing yourself in today’s competitive world means you need a serious edge. We all need good writing and grammar skills
to communicate through business letters, memos, proposals, presentations and email. Many people lack the knack for concise
composition, so in order to be noticed, you need to gain an advantage.
No matter what your field or focus, your job will eventually require clear and concise writing that will in turn reflect
your professionalism. CBT Direct has compiled a business writing and grammar course that will help you master your writing
and grammar skills. Learn specific techniques and proper practices of this soft skill in order to reach your audience
effectively.
CBT Direct’s Online Business Writing and Grammar Basics Training will review specific writing rules such as pronouns,
possessives, and punctuation to establish the basic format. Professionals will review sentence-writing skills and get a
good feel for sentence construction. From capitalization to punctuation, our training will explain how to write business
and communicative documents in a clean and understandable way.
Benefits of CBT Directs Business Writing and Grammar Basics Training
CBT Direct boasts the most beneficial online training on the market. With CBT Direct’s online training, you have the
flexibility to study on your schedule, and with the speed and reliability of the internet, CBT Direct’s Business Writing
and Grammar Basics training course is accessible anywhere you have an internet connection. Convenience finally costs less
with CBT Direct - the most affordable online training solution today.
The unique design of CBT Direct’s Business Writing and Grammar Basics course emphasizes learner initiative, self-management
and experiential learning. CBT Direct’s online course design begins with the definition of user-focused performance objectives
and then proceeds to the selection and implementation of instructional strategies and learning activities appropriate for those
objectives. This effective instruction model for CBT Direct’s Business Writing and Grammar Basics training course ensures the
greatest level of comprehension and retention.
Who Benefits from CBT Direct’s Interpersonal Communication Training?
CBT Direct’s online Business Writing and Grammar Basics course would be beneficial to anyone who wants to refresh or refine
their basic business writing and grammar skills for any kind of business writing, from e-mail and memos to reports and
presentations.
What Professionals will learn from CBT Directs Business Writing and Grammar Basics Training
This course explores ways to identify your readers and to create messages that convey the appropriate tone for different
reader roles. It also outlines how to write effectively for the three most common reasons for writing a business document –
to inform, respond, or persuade.
This course describes ways to make your writing more clear. Specifically, it covers the importance of using short,
familiar words, appropriate connotations, concrete and specific language, and transitional words and phrases.
This self-paced online training course discusses ways to be more concise and explains some best practices for organizing
content logically and appropriately.
Click here to see a detailed curriculum outline.
Our online course highlights the importance of editing and proofreading your business documents. CBT Direct’s online
training course describes some key areas to consider when editing – like tone, structure, clarity, and accuracy. You will
explore ways to proofread effectively. In particular, you will find out about some of the most common grammatical,
punctuation, and spelling mistakes that people make.
CBT Direct’s online training course defines the functions of the eight parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs,
adjectives, prepositions, interjections, and conjunctions. In particular, it focuses on how to use them effectively, and
correctly. In addition, it provides special focus on nouns, adverbs, adjectives, and verbs, including verb tenses. When you
have finished the course, you'll have the necessary building blocks to develop your writing skills.
This training course explains how to use words correctly, including some key rules on how to spell correctly. It covers
rules for properly constructing prefixes and suffixes. In addition, the course describes how to form plurals and possessives
correctly. Furthermore, it presents spelling rules and tips to help you become a better speller. Knowing the rules, as well
as the exceptions, when it comes to details will make you a more confident writer and leave a good impression on your readers.
This course presents the basic rules for using capital letters, abbreviations, and numbers. It covers abbreviations of
titles, names, locations, and countries, as well as how to capitalize direct quotes, titles, names of organizations, and
product names, among other elements. In addition, you will be introduced to the forms and uses of numbers with dates and
time, money, fractions, and symbols.
In this course, you'll review the standard rules and guidelines for using punctuation appropriately. You'll start by
reviewing how to correctly apply end punctuation, including the correct use and rules for periods, question marks, and
exclamation points. You'll also find out how to correctly use commas, one of the most common punctuation marks. The course
also describes rules for using different connecting and separating marks, such as colons, semicolons, dashes, and hyphens.
Learners will review basic sentence construction, including how to develop sentences that are logical, clear, and
powerful – the basis of any sound business document. This course examines the parts of a sentence – the subject and
predicate, for example – and distinguishes between phrases and clauses.
This course describes how to use commonly confused words correctly, including word pairs that sound alike and those
that have related meanings. It also covers verbs that are often misused – for example, affect and effect or apprise and
appraise. In addition, the course reviews some idiomatic combinations of verbs and prepositions that can be confusing.
Business Writing and Grammar Basics
