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Alan Ackmann

Effective professional writing, which happens consistently and inescapably, is one of the main driving forces of a productive workplace. This course covers the most common features and forms of everyday workplace writing, as well as strategies for creating and refining such writing.

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Effective professional writing, which happens consistently and inescapably, is one of the main driving forces of a productive workplace. This course covers the most common features and forms of everyday workplace writing, as well as strategies for creating and refining such writing.

Writing in the workplace is often thought of as something coming in short bursts, or associated with major initiatives. The bulk of workplace writing, though, happens on a sustained, daily basis in the form of emails, memos, interoffice social communication, and routine informal reports. The average worker, regardless of field, generates 10-15 pages of writing a week. Proficiency with and understanding of these writing tasks will increase workplace efficiency and productivity, as well as the ultimate value of the writing itself. This course covers the most common, repeatable types of internal office communication, how to create this writing, and how to revise it for maximum impact and value.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
The Traits and Functions of Workplace Writing
Interacting via Email
Developing Routine and Sensitive Memos
Read more
Understanding Informal Reports
Field and Trip Reports
Incident Reports: Documenting When Something Goes Wrong
Test Reports: Presenting Experiments and Diagnostics
Investigative Reports: Communicating Different Options
Progress Reports: Keeping Supervisors Informed About a Project
Meeting Minutes
Internal Social Media Platforms: Using Office Instant Messaging
Your Main Takeaways: Conclusion and Additional Resources

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for beginners
Develops skills, knowledge, and tools that are useful for personal growth and development
Develops professional skills or deep expertise in a particular topic or set of topics
If this course teaches skills, knowledge, and/or tools that are highly relevant to industry
If this course teaches skills, knowledge, and/or tools that are highly relevant in an academic setting
Explores common features and forms of everyday workplace writing, as well as strategies for creating and refining such writing

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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 in the Workplace: Email, Memos, Reports, and Social Messaging with these activities:
Compile a list of resources on effective workplace writing
Having a handy reference of resources on effective workplace writing can be a valuable asset. This activity will give you the opportunity to gather and organize resources that you can use to improve your writing skills.
Show steps
  • Search online for resources on effective workplace writing.
  • Create a list of the resources you find.
  • Organize the list by topic or type of resource.
Complete a set of grammar exercises
Strong grammar skills are essential for effective workplace writing. This activity will give you practice identifying and correcting common grammar errors.
Browse courses on Grammar
Show steps
  • Find a set of grammar exercises online or in a textbook.
  • Complete the exercises, checking your answers against the answer key.
  • Review the exercises you got wrong and make a note of the grammar rules you need to work on.
Review 'The Elements of Style'
Reviewing this classic guide to writing style will help you write more clearly and effectively, which is essential for effective workplace writing.
Show steps
  • Read through the book, making notes of the key points.
  • Apply the principles of the book to your own writing.
  • Get feedback on your writing from a peer or instructor.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Write a series of emails to a colleague
Writing emails is a common workplace task, and this activity will give you practice writing clear, concise, and professional emails.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your emails.
  • Write a draft of the emails.
  • Get feedback on your emails from a peer or instructor.
  • Revise and finalize your emails.
Write a memo to your supervisor
Memos are a common form of workplace communication, and this activity will give you practice writing a clear, concise, and well-organized memo.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your memo.
  • Write a draft of the memo.
  • Get feedback on your memo from a peer or instructor.
  • Revise and finalize your memo.
Join a writing group
Getting feedback from peers can help you improve your writing skills. This activity will give you the opportunity to share your writing with others and get their feedback.
Show steps
  • Find a writing group or workshop.
  • Attend the writing group meetings regularly.
  • Share your writing with the group and get feedback.
  • Revise your writing based on the feedback you receive.
Mentor a less experienced writer
Mentoring others can help you solidify your understanding of the material and improve your communication skills. This activity will give you the opportunity to share your knowledge and help others improve their writing skills.
Show steps
  • Find a less experienced writer to mentor.
  • Meet with your mentee regularly to provide feedback on their writing.
  • Answer your mentee's questions and provide guidance.
Start a blog or website on effective workplace writing
Starting a blog or website on effective workplace writing can help you solidify your understanding of the material and share your knowledge with others. This activity will give you the opportunity to create a valuable resource for yourself and others.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your blog or website.
  • Create a content calendar and decide what topics you will cover.
  • Write and publish your first blog post.
  • Promote your blog or website through social media and other channels.

Career center

Learners who complete Writing in the Workplace: Email, Memos, Reports, and Social Messaging will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Technical Writer
Technical Writers document complicated information so that various audiences can easily access and understand it. This course helps build a foundation for success in this field by teaching effective writing strategies for emails, memos, reports, and internal social messaging. These essential writing skills are critical in the day-to-day work of Technical Writers, who often need to translate complex technical data and create user guides, technical documentation, and training materials.
Communications Manager
Communications Managers plan and oversee internal and external communication strategies and campaigns. This course can help job seekers in this field develop the skills to write and distribute professional emails, memos, and reports, and to communicate on internal social media platforms.
Marketing Specialist
Marketing Specialists develop and execute digital marketing campaigns while managing online content. Taking this course may be particularly helpful for professionals in this role, as it provides strategies for creating and delivering a variety of digital messages.
Content Manager
Content Managers are responsible for the conceptualization, creation, and distribution of content for internal and external audiences. This course can help build a foundation for this job by teaching effective writing strategies for emails, memos, reports, and internal social messaging. These writing skills are frequently used by Content Managers to provide updates, share important company announcements, and publish educational content.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers build and implement educational and training programs. This course may be particularly helpful for professionals in this field, as it provides strategies for creating and delivering clear and concise written materials.
Public relations manager
Public Relations Managers lead the development and implementation of public relations campaigns, with a focus on media relations and brand reputation. Coursework in writing in the workplace will teach professionals in this field effective strategies for written communication, including the development of press releases, social media content, and other public-facing materials.
Learning and Development Specialist
Learning and Development Specialists help organizations improve employee performance and organizational effectiveness by designing and delivering training programs. This course can help professionals in this field develop the skills to write effective training materials, including emails, memos, reports, and social media content.
User Experience (UX) Designer
UX Designers research, design, and evaluate user interfaces for websites and other digital products. This course can help build a foundation for this field by teaching effective writing strategies for emails, memos, and internal social messaging, which are essential tools for communicating with clients and stakeholders.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, organize, and execute projects. This course can help build a foundation for this field by teaching effective writing strategies for emails, memos, reports, and internal social messaging, which are essential tools for project documentation and communication.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts research and analyze business needs to identify opportunities for improvement. This course can help job seekers in this field develop the skills to write clear and concise reports and other documents that communicate their findings and recommendations.
Customer Service Manager
Customer Service Managers oversee customer service operations and ensure customer satisfaction. This course can help professionals in this field develop the skills to write effective emails, memos, and other documents that respond to customer inquiries and resolve issues.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers lead sales teams and develop sales strategies. This course can help professionals in this field develop the skills to write effective emails, memos, and other documents that communicate with clients and stakeholders.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers oversee human resources operations and ensure compliance with labor laws. This course can help professionals in this field develop the skills to write effective emails, memos, and other documents that communicate with employees and stakeholders.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. This course can help professionals in this field develop the skills to write effective emails, memos, and other documents that communicate with employees and stakeholders.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts research and evaluate financial data to make investment recommendations. This course can help professionals in this field develop the skills to write effective reports and other documents that communicate their findings and recommendations.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Writing in the Workplace: Email, Memos, Reports, and Social Messaging.
Provides practical advice on how to write effective emails, memos, reports, and other workplace documents. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills in a professional setting.
Comprehensive guide to writing in the workplace, covering everything from basic grammar and punctuation to more advanced topics such as writing for different audiences and purposes. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills in a professional setting.
Comprehensive guide to writing and speaking in a clear and concise manner. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills in a professional setting.
Valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills in a professional setting. It comprehensive dictionary that includes definitions, pronunciations, and usage notes.
Classic guide to writing style. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills in a professional setting.
Classic guide to writing nonfiction. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills in a professional setting.
Valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills in a professional setting. It is especially helpful for people who need to write technical documents, such as reports, proposals, and manuals.
Valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills in a professional setting. It is especially helpful for people who need to write for publication, such as articles, papers, and books.

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