Reading & written Communication

- Writing It Right Series: Punctuation, Grammar and Mechanics
- Business Communication: Writing With Power
- Advanced Business Communication: More Writing With Power (custom only)
- Taking Good Notes and Meeting Minutes
- Proofreading
- No-Fail E-Mail
Writing It Right Series: Punctuation, Grammar and Mechanics
The Writing it Right series teaches basic writing fundamentals: structure, spelling and proper punctuation. The series includes: Punctuation, Grammar and Mechanics. These are not composition courses. They cover how to put your selected words on the page correctly.
You will learn to:
- Basic writing skills and tools necessary to produce well-written material
- Grammar
- Standards of capitalization, abbreviation, hyphenation and punctuation
You will benefit by:
- Producing fewer mistake-filled and embarrassing documents
- Handling writing assignments with more confidence and skill
Audience:
All staff members interested in gaining or reinforcing basic writing skills and knowledge
Punctuation
This course concentrates on the basic skills and tools necessary to produce written material that is correctly structured and punctuated.
Specific topics of punctuation include:
- Use of commas, colons and semicolons
- Appropriate use of endmarks
- Functions of punctuation
- Basics of abbreviation
Program Note:
This course will utilize brief online exercises before and/or after the session to augment classroom learning.
Schedule Selection(s)
Cost: $199
Location: HRD
Presenter(s):
Jacqueline Doneghy
Competencies: CO DO
Dates & Times: Wed. 9/30 & 10/7/09,
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Code: WCC963
Grammar
This comprehensive review of grammar focuses on modern applications for the work setting. Participants identify common errors through examples and correct them through practice.
Program Note:
This course will utilize brief online exercises before and/or after the session to augment classroom learning.
Schedule Selection(s)
Cost: $199
Location: HRD
Presenter(s):
Jacqueline Doneghy
Competencies: CO DO
Dates & Times: Wed. 1/20 & 1/27/10,
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Code: WCC011
Mechanics
Refresh your basic language skills and get the tools you need to help you remember the rules of plurals, abbreviations, possessives, capitalizations and hyphenations. You will learn to be alert to commonly misused words, phrases and punctuations, such as:
President vs. president
three vs. 3
alternate vs. alternative
short term vs. short-term
1980s vs. 1980’s
M.D.s vs. M.D.’sProgram Note:
This course will utilize brief online exercises before and/or after the session to augment classroom learning.
Schedule Selection(s)
Cost: $199
Location: HRD
Presenter(s):
Jacqueline Doneghy
Competencies: CO DO
Dates & Times: Wed. 5/19 & 5/26/10,
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Code: WCC012
Business Communication: Writing With Power
How many times have you read a letter that is upbeat and direct or received a memo that compels you, in a positive way, to take action? This course provides the tools and strategies to assist you in writing clearly, efficiently and powerfully.
You will learn to:
- Organize your writing so that it flows logically
- Develop a “call to action” message that gets results
- Write comprehensively
- Motivate your reader
- Write with confidence and authority
You will benefit by:
- Enjoying improved writing skills
- Feeling confident that your writing will get the desired results
Audience:
Staff members who want to improve business correspondence, update writing skills and reduce frustration with the writing process
Schedule Selection(s) |
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Cost: $129 |
Dates & Times: Wed. 10/21/09, |
| Dates & Times: Wed. 3/10/10, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Code: WCC013 |
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| Dates & Times: Wed. 6/16/10, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Code: WCC014 |
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Advanced Business Communication: More Writing With Power (custom only)
Writing can be a daunting task filled with stumbling blocks. In fast-paced working environments, it is often difficult to communicate your message clearly. If you are looking for assistance with conveying your message appropriately and effectively, this class is for you!
You will learn to:
- Create and format documents that suit the needs of the audience
- Address problems frequently encountered in formatting complex documents
- Plan, draft and revise business communications
- Apply writing strategies to convey style and tone in your documents
You will benefit by:
- Receiving tools, techniques and strategies aimed at sharpening your writing skills
- Using time-saving techniques to communicate information expeditiously and effectively
- Using your documents in applying the concepts learned
Audience:
Staff members who want to enhance their skills in developing professional documents (i.e., reports, proposals, position papers)
Course Preparation:
Participants will be asked to bring a document to work on during the session.
Recommendation for Course Preparation:
Attend the Writing It Right Series and the Business Communication: Writing with Power course prior to or following this program to continue developing your writing skills.
Program Note:
This course will utilize brief online exercises before and/or after the session to augment classroom learning.
Schedule Selection(s) |
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Cost: See custom training rate policy |
Dates & Times: This course is available as a custom training event for your department. |
Taking Good Notes and Meeting Minutes
Transcribing minutes of a meeting is not only a challenge but requires a unique skill. This course will provide the fundamentals of effective note taking and transcribing meeting minutes that are user friendly and comprehensive.
You will learn to:
- Differentiate between note-taking and meeting minutes
- Describe the process of note taking and transcribing minutes
- Identify ways to take notes while participating in the meeting
- Determine what kind of information to include in the minutes
- Format meeting minutes that readers will find reader-friendly
You will benefit by:
- Acquiring strategies and tools of notetaking to increase your confidence in fulfilling your role as note taker
- Acquiring tips for juggling being a participant as well as the recorder of the meeting minutes
- Learning how to quickly and effectively summarize issues and decisions
Audience:
Anyone who is responsible for recording the events of a meeting
Schedule Selection(s) |
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| Cost: $129 Location: HRD Presenter(s): Jacqueline Doneghy Competencies: CO DO QS |
Dates & Times: Fri. 3/19/10, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Code: WCC015 |
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Dates & Times: Wed. 7/14/10, |
Proofreading
An organization’s efficiency is reflected in the literal and grammatical accuracy of its official documentation. This course sharpens error-detecting skills and makes proofreading less burdensome.
You will learn to:
- Use three different techniques for accurate proofreading
- Scan documents for specific types of errors
- Focus on details while concentrating on continuity
- Avoid common errors
You will benefit by:
- Rejuvenating your basic language skills
- Saving time and energy when having to perform this laborious task
Audience:
Staff members, wanting to improve their ability to locate and correct errors in written documents
Schedule Selection(s) |
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Cost: $159 |
Dates & Times: Wed. 11/4 & 11/11/09, |
| Dates & Times: Wed. 6/2 & 6/9/10, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Code: WCC017 |
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No-Fail E-Mail
E-Mail has become the most commonly used form of communication in the workplace; it is also the most frequently misunderstood. Learn how to use e-mail to enhance, not sabotage, your communication.
You will learn to:
- Compose clear and concise messages to enhance your readers’ comprehension
- Identify “hot buttons” and avoid using them when sending email
- Recognize and use proper email “etiquette”
- Determine when to use and NOT to use email to communicate
You will benefit by:
- Improving your productivity
- Gaining control over your email inbox and limiting interruptions
- Upgrading your communication and professional image
Audience:
Anyone interested in using e-mail to communicate more effectively
Schedule Selection(s) |
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Cost: $149 |
Dates & Times: Thu. 2/18/10, |

