Business Writing 101

           If language is not correct,
           then what is said is not what is meant;
           If what is said is not what is meant,
           then what ought to be done remains undone.
                                     --Confucius

Description: No matter how much some of us might wish it were not so, we all have to write at work. Memos, emails, proposals, websites, newsletters, even progress reports: regardless of who you are, or where you are on your career continuum, writing impacts your daily life.

Good writing is about communicating clearly. Good writing - snappy, functional, informative, professional – gets you noticed. It may even get you promoted. Bad writing, on the other hand, can mean the difference between a promotion and your boss seriously doubting your ability

But now help is at hand: StoryStudioChicago has come to your rescue, and is happy to present a unique two-day seminar which just might change your life. It will certainly change your usage of grammar. During these two days, we’ll help you to:

  • Face down the blank page and get started, using journalistic and fiction-writing techniques destined to unlock the writer within you….
  • Slay the grammar dragon: we’ll provide a refresher on the basics (and a convenient, take-home cheat sheet to save you embarrassment later)
  • Take a project from sh##ty first draft stage to shiny, finished masterpiece
  • Learn how to identify really bad writing (including your own) and how to avoid cliché, the passive voice, and other writing nightmares

This two-day seminar, unlike any other writing workshop, will use the unique lessons of fiction to help you tell your corporate story.

If you sign up for both days you’ll receive the added bonus of individual instructor attention and editing assistance on a current project brought straight from your desk at work. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in an interactive presentation of your final draft to the whole group, helping to build confidence in a friendly, non-judgmental setting of trust.
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Here’s what you get:
Day One
Features interactive exercises and discussion directly related to what you do at work. Exercises will include:

  • Grammar: Get it out of the Way!
  • Organizing Principles and Sh#tty First Drafts
  • Don’t Bury the Lead
  • Revising and Editing

Day Two

  • Recap of Grammar/Punctuation, Organizing Principles and Revising Strategies, including quizlets and competitions.
  • Is this really appropriate? A primer on considering your audience and choosing the medium to match.
  • Intensive workshop session focusing on your current work projects featuring:
    • private one-on-one review with instructor
    • peer review and feedback of second/third draft
    • presentation to group of finished project

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Why StoryStudio?
Small group instruction—StoryStudio Business Writing classes are limited to 15 students assuring you of personal attention and plenty of interaction.

Writers on writing- Our instructors are professional writers, editors and teachers, NOT sales reps stuffed with jargon and lingo.

We bring the lessons of fiction to the corporate world – We use storytelling techniques to unlock our inner writer, and we can show you how to tap into your own creative spirit (while still remaining true to corporate philosophy, of course).

We do lunch! We’ll provide a box lunch and break time within our creative space to let you recharge midday – and to help you connect with fellow students.

You’ll also receive a business writing text to keep on your desk for future reference.

PLUS: Have two or more employees sign up and receive $20 off each student fee.

Who Should Attend: This course is open to everyone who has to write while at work. Entry level employees as well as senior managers will benefit from learning how to write more clearly and persuasively.

About the Instructor: Kate Ancell is a writer and journalist, who has covered every topic under the sun and lived to tell the tale. While living in London Kate was a managing editor for Conde Nast, wrote an award-winning cookbook and argued for American Thanksgiving and Christmas Present for Britain’s Food Illustrated. She also regularly covers Mind Body Soul, travel, home design and everything in between for magazines as disparate as Hallmark, Vogue and Brides. She is very excited to be a part of StoryStudio Chicago.

Date/Time: Our two-day workshop will be offered again in September 2008. Please tell us if you'd like to be notified of dates.

Price: 2-day workshop:$349;(Register more than one employee and receive $20 off each registration!)