TD CONSULTING GROUP's
Dynamic Writing 1© training program takes a common-problem approach to the three main components of business writing: grammar, style, and organization. The goal is cumulative: mastering each component to improve accuracy, speed, and clarity. This program consists of a one-day program of individual, small group, and large group activities and one-on-one phone coaching within 30 days of the session. The maximum number of participants is 15.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Overcome the most common stumbling blocks of grammar.
- Master techniques for Power Writing: writing more clearly and concisely.
- Organize thoughts to "get to the point" in all business writing.
- Improve speed by effectively planning, writing, and editing.
- Identify key elements in their own writing for on-going development and improvement.
OVERCOMING GRAMMAR PROBLEMS
Using a grammar assessment completed prior to the session as a starting point, participants engage in a variety of exercises on the basic components of grammar: subject/verb and pronoun/antecedent agreement, syntax, proper usage (who/whom, gerunds, etc.) and punctuation. Tips on capitalization, number usage, vocabulary, and spelling are provided in the manual resource guide. [Note: Additional references, such as
The Chicago Manual of Style, are included in a bibliography in the resource guide.]
Participants learn techniques for writing clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Highlights include exercises on active vs. passive voice, brevity (elimination of unnecessary phrases), tone and cadence (variety and flow of sentence structure), and parity (evenness of noun/verb lists). A client's specific organizational and/or department standards can be incorporated into this module.
ORGANIZATION: THE TD METHOD
The TD Method involves creating an outline using
Five Key Questions and a
Compass Point. Using a generic case study, TD leads participants through this logical, step-by-step process for identifying purpose, assessing the reader, selecting major and minor points to include, and writing for a response. Each participant writes a brief memo based on the case study outline; a sample memo is distributed for future reference. Participants also learn tips for formatting memos, letters, and e-mails, along with the "how-to's" of editing and proofing documents.
Each participant will submit a 1-page writing sample upon course completion, schedule a telephone coaching session, and receive an individual critique from a writing coach within 30 days of the in-class session. The writing coach will provide (via e-mail) an assessment of the participant's writing sample and will highlight key areas for improvement during a
30-minute phone conversation.
For key executives, TD Consulting Group provides ongoing, individual writing coaching over a 3- to 5-month period. Contact us for more details.