"Writing is manual labour of the mind: a job, like laying pipe." John Gregory Dunne
Warren Buffet summed up plain language marvellously in this “writing tip” in the introduction to the 1998 SEC Plain English Handbook: “Write with a specific person in mind. When writing the Berkshire Hathaway annual report, I picture my sisters, highly intelligent, but not experts in accounting or finance. They will understand plain English, but jargon may puzzle them. My goal is to give the information I would wish to receive if our positions were reversed”.
Communication today includes everything from cell phones and Blackberries to video-conferencing, instant messaging and email. But does this mean effective writing skills aren’t so important – absolutely not. In our fast paced business world the need for clear, concise writing is more important than ever.
Information today needs to be focused, concise, accurate and compelling. People form opinions about you and your organisation by the way you write. Whether a memo, business letter or report – each one is a reflection of your professionalism.
This course is for anyone who has to communicate in their work on a daily basis, writing letters, emails, faxes or reports, such as PA’s, secretaries administrative and managerial staff.
DURATION: ONE DAY
DATE: Tuesday, March 15th
VENUE: Greenside, Johannesburg
COST: R2450 per person
Course content:
- Planning and organisation of content including research Interviewing skills – to get clear insight and information into projects being reported on
- Recognising good writing
- Composing good sentences and paragraphs
- Headings to grab the reader
- Body of documents – developing and explaining your purpose
- Conclusion – re-emphasising your purpose
- Getting the correct tone
- Layout and presentation
- Writing and designing newsletters/marketing documents
- The do’s and don’ts of emails
- Common grammar and spelling problems
- The benefits and use of plain English
- Editing your work to read smoothly
Workshop Facilitator
Award winning journalist and author Marion Scher has been one of South Africa's top freelance journalists for the last 23 years. Until 2008 she was Head of Journalism Studies at Damelin, Bramley and is an editorial trainer for the Magazine Publisher's Association. She runs courses both in the media and public relations industry as well as in the corporate field, tailoring courses to meet the client's needs.
Her corporate clients include Unilever, MTN, Telkom and DBSA, Absa Bank, Standard Bank, First National Bank, Anglo Ashanti Gold nd many more.
Her new book ‘Surviving the SA Media – Building Bridges To Make The Media More Accessible’ (Knowledge Resources) is now available through Knowledge Resources and all good bookstores.
She is also a judge of the three top media awards in the country: PICA Awards, Admag Awards and the National Press Club Journalist of the Year.
She is also currently a trainer at 702 Talk Radio and CNBC Africa.
