Course Length: 6 hours (1 day)
It is essential to understand how to write reports and proposals that get read. We write reports in a range of formats and for a variety of purposes. Whether you need to report on a product analysis, inventory, feasibility studies, or something else, report writing is a skill you will use again and again.

Having a method to prepare these documents will help you be as efficient as possible with the task. This course will build on a solid base of writing skills to present information in formal, informal, and proposal styles.

Learning Objectives:

• Prepare reports and proposals that inform, persuade, and provide information.
• Review your work so that it is clear, concise, complete, and correct.
• Apply these skills in real work applications.

Target Student:
If you have to write reports for a variety of purposes and in any range of formats, then this course is for you. Increase your efficiency by learning the methods that will help you write reports on such things as product analysis, inventory, feasibility studies, or just about anything else. Build on the writing skills you already have. Although not a requirement, it would be even more helpful if you have already completed our Business Writing That Works course before taking this class.

Course Outline
You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.

The Stages of Report Writing
This session will introduce the four stages of report writing: investigating, planning, writing, and revising.

The First Stage – Investigating
The first step is to gather the information for your report. In this session we will give participants some guidelines to ensure that what they gather is accurate.

The Second Stage – Planning
Next, participants will learn how to plan a report based on information gathered during the first stage.

The Third Stage – Writing
This session will give participants some ways to ensure that their writing is clear, concise, complete, and correct.

The Fourth Stage – Revising
In this session, participants will learn about the importance of revision, including spelling and grammar checks.

Using Headings
This session will provide a brief introduction to organizing a report.

Charts and Graphs
Next, participants will learn the right way to add charts and graphs to their report.

The Proposal
During this session, participants will learn how writing a proposal is different from writing a report. Participants will also review the ten steps to successful proposal writing.

Persuasion
This session will look at finishing touches for a report, including steps in the persuasion process, how to design your message, and how to deal with tough questions.

Practical Application
To summarize all that they have learned, participants will peer edit each others’ work.

Giving Credit
This final session will focus on documentation methods and styles.

Workshop Wrap-Up
At the end of the workshop, students will have an opportunity to ask questions and fill out an action plan.

This Course Comes With

Printed Manual A printed and bound paper manual for use during your class and future reference

Customize Your Course

Tailored Training Your manual will follow a standard course outline but your class can be tailored to focus on the subjects that are most important to you