The ability to write clearly, confidently and consistently is a sought-after skill in most workplaces. Good writing – in emails, reports, presentations, marketing materials or LinkedIn biographies – is vital for communicating the expertise of both the brand and the writer.
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Writing for Business Course overview
Please note this is a course for people already fluent – and working – in English.
It is not suitable for those wishing to improve their English.
Students will be given class exercises, feedback, homework, plus the opportunity for focused 1-2-1 time with their tutor, throughout the eight weeks (as part of the two-hour class).
You will be expected to share your written work with the group, plus give and receive helpful feedback in class.
Topics explored in this interactive Writing for Business short course include how to:
- Get to the point
- Excel at writing effective emails
- Write for the digital market
- Edit copy to a professional standard
- Engage your reader
- Structure your copy for maximum positive impact
- Polish your work bio.
There will be live tutor feedback, plus opportunities to have your copy edited and published.
As an added bonus, students who present a successful idea for the City St George’s Short Courses blog will have the opportunity to have their article professionally edited and published on the site. Details will be given on the course.
Who is it for?
Our Writing for Business short course enables business professionals to enhance their corporate document writing skills across a range of business functions. Students will learn various styles of writing and how to tailor their writing for different audiences, improving their skills and confidence.
Find out more about our Business courses
Timetable
Writing for Business takes place over 8 weekly evening classes.
City St George’s Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms. These include:
- Autumn - October
- Spring - January
- Summer - April
Benefits
- Our comprehensive Writing for Business short course empowers professionals to become confident and concise in their business writing skills.
- Students will learn a variety of proven tools, techniques and styles of writing, plus how to adapt their copy effectively to different audiences and mediums.
- Tutored by a journalist and copywriter of over 20 years, our 8 weekly evening classes help students improve – and enjoy using – their business writing skills.
What will I learn?
Over 8 weekly 2-hour evening classes, City St George’s Writing for Business short course will introduce you to:
Week 1
The essentials:
- Orientation, overview and introductions
- Your writing goals
- The fundamentals of good business writing
Week 2
Know your reader:
- Precision prose: personalising your target reader
- Tone of voice
- Write for your audience
Week 3
Style and structure:
- Structure and layout know-how
- How to write headlines people want to read
- What is ‘correct’ grammar and punctuation?
Week 4
Writing effective emails:
- Email etiquette – common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Subject lines, intros, sign-offs and signatures
- Best-practice tips
Week 5
Diving into digital:
- Brevity, story and structure: keep the reader engaged
- Writing for websites and social media
- Exploring AI
Week 6
Successful sales and marketing copy:
- Features and benefits
- The AIDA tool
- Unpacking longform content: reports, analyses, white papers
Week 7
Editing for excellence:
- Editing and proofreading like a professional
- Successful self-editing tips
- Taking advantage of AI
Week 8
Marketing yourself:
- LinkedIn bio masterclass
- Upgrade your CV
- Recommended resources.
Assessment and certificates
Students will be set homework and class exercises each week and tutor feedback will be given throughout the Writing for Business course.
Students will be expected to share written work with the group as well as with the tutor, and give and receive feedback in class.
Students who complete 70% of the classes will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the Writing for Business course.
Eligibility
No specific qualifications are necessary but students should be working within a business environment and have a desire to improve their written skills within this context.
This course is not suitable for those wishing to improve their English.
English requirements
You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.
Recommended reading
- Pinker, Steven, (2014) A Sense of Style, Allen Lane
- Maynard-Smith, J. (2021) Ultimate Guide to Business Writing: All the Secrets of Creating and Managing Business Documents, Routlege
- Payton, S, (2022) The Business of Storytelling, Rethink Press
Tutors
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Maggie Richards
Maggie Richards is a former Times, Sunday Times and Guardian journalist who’s been on BBC Radio (World Service, Five Live, Wales) and been quoted in The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Tatler and Spirit & Destiny among many other leading publications.
Honed over 24 years, her commercial writing excellence has supported the success of businesses of all sizes, not least Sky, Harrods, Marks & Spencer, O2, Canon, Boden and Kia.
She is a tutor on The Economist Business Writing course, on City St George’s Introduction to Copywriting short course, and is an accomplished public speaker.
With Cher Chevalier, she is co-author of 24 (8x3) meditations that launched Calm, iTunes App of the Year 2017, and Blissful Buddies bedtime meditation stories. Maggie is author of A Guide to Being a Better Being, and The Starlit Dancer.
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Tamsin Mackay
Tamsin Mackay has written for publications around the world including the Daily Mail, Telegraph and Independent in the UK. Her commercial writing skills have been honed over the past thirty years to provide blue-chip organisations with exceptional content that supports their business communication needs. Her clientele includes some of the world’s most well-known brands such as Microsoft, Amazon, HPE, and IDC, among others.
She has a Masters in writing from the University of East Anglia, a thriving content business that serves companies on three continents, and has a deep passion for the written word and its ability to transform conversations and organisations.
