Teaching Writing: Ideas and Strategies

Of the many kinds of writing done at work, writing short reports to update others about our work must rank high on the list of important and frequent documents written. This episode describes how to write these reports well.

How do you write a good proposal? This episode, based on Chapter 10 of Business Communication: Rhetorical Situations, describes how to prepare both solicited and unsolicited proposals.

How can you write messages that will persuade your readers to adopt your point of view or proposed action? This episode, based on Chapter 9 of Business Communication: Rhetorical Situations (broadview.com), describes how to organize both direct request messages as well as problem-solving messages--the two main varieties of persuasive messages. 

How can you deliver bad news while maintaining the best chance of not alienating your reader? This episode, based on Chapter 8 of Business Communication: Rhetorical Situations (Broadview.com), explains how to organize bad news messages.

This episode focuses on how to write positive and informative messages.It is based on Chapter 7 of Business Communication: Rhetorical Situations (Broadview.com).

How do we adjust our communications for audiences from cultural backgrounds different from our own? This episode starts with advice on how to do this for audiences within North America and then considers how to communicate with cultural groups across the world. The episode summarizes Chapter 6 of Business   Communication: Rhetorical Situations (Broadview.com).

This episode identifies two models for writing as part of a team: hierarchical and dialogic. Good team behaviors and behaviors to avoid are also discussed, as well as ways to resolve conflict.

This episode provides a guide to using the sample syllabus, lesson plans, assignments, and grading rubrics for our Business Communication: Rhetorical Situations book (all materials are at wecanwrite.ca).

This episode begins with an overview of how to write a good email message before moving on to give some tips on how to write for social media.

This episode considers the kind of writing style you should employ in business and professional contexts, including a discussion of plain language principles.