“Business Writing: Know Your Readers and Your Purpose”

Overview
To 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? 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? Identifying who your audience is and what your purpose is will focus your message and guide you in selecting an appropriate tone for your business message.  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 audience
Individuals, at any level in an organization, who want to refresh or refine their basic business writing skills

Expected duration: 1.0 hour