Introduction to Elements of Good Writing

Welcome to this module on 'Effective Business Writing'.

In the previous module, you learnt about the important aspects of communication in the 21st century and how to build critical thinking. You also learnt how to research, analyse and deliver arguments and back them with citations. In this module, you will learn how to develop your writing skills, one of the four pillars of communication.

The written form is going through a transition in the 21st century. With technical innovations such as short message service (SMS) and social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, writing is no longer merely an act of written communication. It has also taken the form of oral communication through the written media. The words and languages used on these platforms are also changing; they are a mix of English, vernacular languages and many new additions to the English lexicon with words like LOL, ASAP, abbreviations of Laugh Out Loud and As Soon As Possible respectively, and “emojis” like a :) or :( to convey an emotion, are being used regularly in written communication.

This module is divided into two main sessions:

1. Elements of Good Writing
2. Effective Professional Writing

The first session deals with the basic six basic principles of writing - Sincerity, Readability, Simplicity, Tonality, Brevity and Clarity. We will understand each through real-life examples of famous world leaders and their day to day communications. 

Moving on, we will learn a few basic writing frameworks to keep in mind while writing any document. These are the AOM framework, OBC framework, Minto's Pyramid, Mind Maps, Fish Bone diagram and more. 

You will also learn about the importance of feedback in the writing process and how to use them judiciously to develop quality content.

In the second session, you will be taught how to master the three major forms of professional write-ups:

• Emails
• Reports and Summaries
• Proposals

These forms of professional write-ups will be covered by using essential frameworks and formats to keep in mind while writing them.

This will then be supplemented with an understanding of what to write and what to avoid in professional writing along with a segment on how to be more persuasive and assertive in your writing. 

See you on the other side!