Writing techniques that work

Writing is not a task most people enjoy. Many of the difficulties people have with writing (in any language) are often the result of misconceptions about writing as a product, the process of writing, audience expectations and a lack of “cognitive tools” for generating and organizing material. This one-day workshop offers a number of practical techniques writers can use to generate and organize material for almost any writing task.

Workshop synopsis

Morning
  • Opening, introductions, orientation, workshop administration.
  • Seven Myths About Writing: Common misconceptions that make writing more difficult than it needs to be
  • - Coffee Break -
  • What are “cognitive tools” for writing?
  • Tool 1: Concept mapping and outlining
  • Tool 2: Freewriting
Afternoon
  • Tool 3: Talking Out Loud.
  • Tool 4: Hidden order: Classic rhetorical structures.
  • - Coffee Break -
  • Tool 4 (continued): Hidden order: Classic rhetorical structures.
  • Tool 5: Feedback.
  • What works for you? Final discussion and wrapping up.

Duration: One day

Audience: Professional or admin staff who want to improve the speed and efficiency of their writing.

Note: Can be run back-to-back with Making MS Word Work for You.