Writing Professional Email and Memos (Project-Centered Course) from Coursera

Want your workplace writing to make a positive impression? At the end of this course, you will be a more confident writer, able to create higher quality professional documents more quickly.

This course is at the introductory or beginner level and focuses on mastering the basics of email etiquette and communication. While this course will help learners become faster and more efficient writers by virtue of practice with common writing purposes, it does not cover marketing emails or job application materials.

In this project-based learning course, you will work on a continuous project, the writing of a professional email/memo. At the end of the course, you will write a clear and concise email/memo. The final product will be individualized to your professional endeavors and follow the guidelines for one of the common types of emails/memos explained in the course: directives, progress reports, incident reports, response to inquiries, and meeting minutes. You will gain a wealth of skills. You will learn about appropriate email/memo formats, common ways to organize email/memo contents, common email/memo routing protocols, and expectations upon writers in professional environments.

This course is designed to be beneficial to all levels of learners, whether you have never heard of an email/memo or write them every day. Everyone will learn something from this experience. In fact, different levels of learners are encouraged in this course so that we can all learn from each other. There will be thousands of learners working side-by-side on their projects, and the environment will be social, supportive, and constructive.

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

- write clear and concise emails/memos relative to their professional endeavors

- recognize five different types of emails/memos and their formats

- analyze email/memo context for audience and tone

- use basic grammar correctly in their email/memo writing

Materials required:

Learners in this course will need only a computer with strong enough Internet to play videos and hear sound. A word processing software is suggested, but not required.

Time required:

This course will require approximately 4 hours of work in the platform, including videos, reading, quizzes, and other activities.

The course project will require approximately 6 hours of work, including the rough draft, draft peer review, final draft, and final peer review.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Professional Memos and Emails

Welcome to the course! We are excited to get to know you and start working with you to achieve your writing goals. In this module you will learn about the history of memos and emails and be introduced to the final project options and rubric.

Five Types of Emails/Memos

In this module you will learn about five different types of emails/memos and their formats. You will also practice evaluating bad emails/memos to get acquainted with the course rubric, and you will see examples of good emails/memos.

Audience, Grammar, and Clarity, Oh My!

This module will introduce the technical aspects of memo/email writing: grammar, audience, tone, formality, grammar, and clarity.

Case Studies in Writing a Memo

In this module we will look at some case studies in memo writing.

Turn in Your Final Memo

In this module you will turn in your final memo and conduct a peer review. It was great working and learning with you!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Intended for career professionals looking to improve professional communication

Meant for beginners in professional writing

Designed as an asynchronous learning experience

Focuses on the practical application of writing skills

Offers a collaborative learning environment through peer review

Covers essential writing concepts, such as grammar and audience analysis

Reviews summary

Popular email and memos guide

Students largely agree that "Writing Professional Email and Memos (Project-Centered Course)" is a well-structured and informative course for learning how to write professional emails and memos. They especially appreciate the practical, real-world focus of the course, which includes assignments that require students to write their own emails and memos. The instructors are knowledgeable and responsive, and the materials are well-organized and easy to follow. Overall, students highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to improve their email and memo writing skills.

Clear and structured materials make learning easy

"The materials are well-organized and easy to follow."

"The course is divided into modules, each of which covers a specific topic."

"The modules are further divided into lessons, which are short and manageable."

Experienced instructors provide valuable insights and support

"The instructors are knowledgeable and responsive."

"They are always willing to answer questions and provide feedback."

"Their expertise helps students to learn the material in a deep and meaningful way."

Focus on practical skills development through real-world assignments.

"The course includes assignments that require students to write their own emails and memos."

"This practical focus helps students to apply the skills they are learning to their own work."

"The assignments are challenging but also very rewarding."

Some of the course content may be outdated

"Some of the information in the course is outdated."

"This can be frustrating for students who are looking for the most up-to-date information on email and memo writing."

"The instructors should make an effort to update the course content on a regular basis."

Peer feedback can be helpful but may not always be reliable

"Assignments are graded by other students, which can be helpful for getting feedback."

"However, peer feedback can sometimes be unreliable, as some students may not be qualified to grade the work of others."

"This can lead to students receiving inaccurate or unfair grades."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Writing Professional Email and Memos (Project-Centered Course) with these activities:

Attend a workshop or training on business writing

Show steps

Refresh your business writing skills and gain new insights by attending a workshop or training program.

Browse courses on Training

Show steps

Research and find a suitable workshop or training
Attend the workshop or training

Review business writing basics

Show steps

Begin by refreshing your knowledge of basic writing principles to ensure a strong foundation for email and memo writing.

Browse courses on Business Writing

Show steps

Review grammar and punctuation rules
Read sample business emails and memos

Practice organizing email and memo content

Show steps

Organize different emails and memos according to the five fundamental structures.

Browse courses on Email Etiquette

Show steps

Examine examples of well-organized emails and memos
Identify the different ways to structure content
Practice organizing content into different structures

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Practice structuring emails and memos

Show steps

Practice writing emails and memos to improve your ability to clearly and effectively communicate your message.

Browse courses on Email Structure

Show steps

Identify the purpose and audience of your email or memo
Develop an outline for your email or memo
Write a draft of your email or memo

Review a book on professional communication

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of professional communication principles by reading and analyzing a book on the subject.

View Writing That Works, 3rd Edition on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes
Summarize the key concepts of the book

Review and provide feedback on other students' work

Show steps

Engage in peer review to improve your ability to provide constructive criticism and to learn from others.

Browse courses on Peer Feedback

Show steps

Read and provide feedback on a draft email or memo
Incorporate feedback into your own writing

Explore advanced email and memo writing techniques

Show steps

Take your writing skills to the next level by exploring advanced techniques to enhance the clarity and impact of your emails and memos.

Browse courses on Effective Communication

Show steps

Research and learn about advanced email and memo writing techniques
Apply these techniques to your own writing

Create a portfolio of your best emails and memos

Show steps

Showcase your skills and progress by creating a portfolio of your best work, demonstrating your proficiency in email and memo writing.

Browse courses on Portfolio

Show steps

Select your best emails and memos
Create a portfolio website or document

Career center

Learners who complete Writing Professional Email and Memos (Project-Centered Course) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Communications Specialist

A Communications Specialist could use the skills acquired in this course to rise to the challenge of crafting clear and concise messages that connect with various audiences. This course will cultivate one's ability to organize content in a logical and impactful way, a crucial skill for any professional looking to effectively communicate within an organization or to its consumers. To be successful as a Communications Specialist, it is essential to have a solid foundation in professional writing. This course provides an opportunity to develop and refine those skills in order to convey information effectively and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Specialist

Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources Specialists can use this course to become more adept at communicating effectively with employees and stakeholders. The course will help develop the necessary skills to write clear and concise emails, memos, and other professional documents. This course will also provide insights into common challenges faced by Human Resources Specialists, such as how to write performance evaluations or handle sensitive employee issues. This course has the potential to support a career as a Human Resources Specialist by providing a framework for effective written communication with individuals at all levels of an organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Specialist

Office Manager

An Office Manager may find this course useful for developing the written and communication skills often necessary to coordinate and support their team. They will learn how to craft effective emails, memos, and other professional documents. Moreover, this course will aid an Office Manager in their role by emphasizing the importance of clarity and precision when communicating with employees, clients, and stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Office Manager

Customer Service Representative

For a Customer Service Representative, this course can help build a strong foundation in professional communication, enabling them to handle customer inquiries and resolve issues effectively. The course will strengthen their ability to write clear and concise emails and memos in order to convey important information to customers. By improving their writing skills, Customer Service Representatives can enhance their ability to provide excellent customer support, build stronger relationships with customers, and increase customer satisfaction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative

Administrative Assistant

This course is a valuable resource for Administrative Assistants seeking to refine their professional communication skills. It will help develop their ability to draft clear and concise emails, memos, and reports. The course also provides a framework for organizing information and managing multiple tasks, a key skill for Administrative Assistants who often support multiple stakeholders. Administrative Assistants will particularly benefit from the emphasis on professional etiquette and tone, which are crucial for maintaining positive and productive working relationships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Administrative Assistant

Marketing Assistant

This course may be helpful for a Marketing Assistant in developing their written communication skills and conveying messages effectively to various audiences. The course provides a foundation for writing clear, concise, and engaging emails, memos, and other marketing materials. By enhancing their writing skills, Marketing Assistants can contribute more effectively to marketing campaigns and support the overall marketing strategy of an organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Assistant

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists may find this course useful for developing the strong writing and communication skills needed to craft compelling press releases, media pitches, and other public relations materials. The course emphasizes the importance of clarity, conciseness, and tone when communicating with the media and the public. By refining their writing abilities, Public Relations Specialists can enhance their ability to effectively convey their organization's message, build relationships with key stakeholders, and manage public perception.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Writer

This course may be helpful for Writers who want to improve their professional writing skills, particularly in crafting clear and concise emails, memos, and other written materials. The course provides a framework for organizing information effectively and communicating ideas in a persuasive and engaging manner. By developing their writing abilities, Writers can enhance their ability to create high-quality written content, meet deadlines, and contribute to the success of their organization or clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Editor

This course is a valuable resource for Editors looking to enhance their professional writing and editing skills. It provides a framework for evaluating and improving the clarity, conciseness, and overall effectiveness of written content. The course also emphasizes the importance of grammar, punctuation, and style, which are crucial for Editors who ensure the quality and consistency of written materials. By honing their writing and editing skills, Editors can contribute more effectively to the production of high-quality written content, enhance the credibility of their organization, and support the success of authors and writers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Technical Writer

This course may be helpful for Technical Writers who want to improve their ability to create clear and concise technical documentation. The course provides a framework for organizing complex technical information and presenting it in a way that is easy to understand. The course also emphasizes the importance of using appropriate language and visuals to convey technical concepts effectively. By developing their writing skills, Technical Writers can enhance their ability to create user manuals, white papers, and other technical documents that support the development, implementation, and use of products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Grant Writer

This course may be useful for Grant Writers who want to develop the writing skills needed to craft compelling grant proposals. The course provides a framework for writing clear, persuasive, and well-organized proposals that meet the requirements of funding agencies. The course also emphasizes the importance of understanding the target audience and tailoring the proposal accordingly. By honing their writing skills, Grant Writers can increase their success rate in securing funding for their organizations and support the achievement of their mission and goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Content Writer

This course may be helpful for Content Writers who want to develop the writing skills needed to create engaging and informative content for websites, blogs, and other platforms. The course provides a framework for writing clear, concise, and SEO-friendly content that meets the needs of the target audience. The course also emphasizes the importance of storytelling and using visuals to make content more engaging. By developing their writing skills, Content Writers can enhance their ability to create high-quality content that attracts and retains readers, supports the marketing and sales efforts of their organization, and establishes their credibility as thought leaders in their field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Copywriter

This course may be helpful for Copywriters who want to improve their ability to create persuasive and effective marketing copy. The course provides a framework for writing clear, concise, and engaging copy that resonates with the target audience and drives desired actions. The course also emphasizes the importance of understanding the principles of marketing and advertising to create copy that supports the overall marketing strategy. By honing their writing skills, Copywriters can enhance their ability to create compelling marketing campaigns, increase brand awareness, and generate leads and sales for their organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Freelance Writer

This course may be helpful for Freelance Writers who want to improve their ability to write clear, concise, and persuasive content for a variety of clients. The course provides a framework for understanding different writing styles and formats, as well as the importance of meeting client expectations. The course also emphasizes the importance of marketing oneself as a freelance writer and building a successful freelance business. By developing their writing skills, Freelance Writers can enhance their ability to attract and retain clients, create high-quality content that meets client needs, and build a successful and sustainable freelance writing career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Journalist

This course may be useful for Journalists who want to improve their ability to write clear, concise, and engaging news articles and feature stories. The course provides a framework for understanding different journalistic styles and formats, as well as the importance of accuracy, fairness, and objectivity in reporting. The course also emphasizes the importance of conducting research and interviewing sources to gather information and develop compelling stories. By honing their writing skills, Journalists can enhance their ability to inform the public about important issues, hold those in power accountable, and make a positive impact on society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist