Professional Development

Written Communication

Articles

Written Communication Workshops

Grammar for Grownups

Recommended as a one- to two-day seminar

You don't have to dread the topic of grammar. In fact, the rules of grammar are there to help writers to communicate with their readers. Therefore, most rules have reasons that are easy to understand, once you begin to think about them in a "grown-up" way.

Participants will learn to:

• Identify trends in writing, punctuation and usage.
• Punctuate properly.
• Recognize what they already know and the rules they need to learn.
• Know where to find punctuation and other grammar and usage rules.
• Use numbers correctly in correspondence and documents.
• Correct sentences containing misplaced modifiers.
• Achieve better subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement.
• Understand the correct usage of commonly confused words.
• Apply "grown-up grammar" tips that take the confusion out of many grammar questions.

Participants say:

I liked being informed of new trends and changes.

I liked the hints and tricks to help remember rules.

Very informative!

Click here for a printable version of Grammar for Grownups Workshops>>

If you are having trouble viewing the pdf's, click here to download a copy of Acrobat Reader>>

back to top

Proofreading a Moving Target

Recommended as a half-day workshop

When you're under time pressure and a document needs to keep moving, what are the best ways to ensure that the vital information is accurate? Learn how to speed up the document preparation process through increasing focused concentration, establishing organization-specific proofreading priorities and using proven tips that will make you a faster and more effective proofreader. (Note: This short workshop does not cover grammar rules.)

Click here for a printable version of Proofreading a Moving Target Workshops>>

If you are having trouble viewing the pdf's, click here to download a copy of Acrobat Reader>>

back to top

Perfectly Practical Proofreading Skills

Recommended as a one- to two-day seminar

Are you frustrated when you carefully proofread, yet still miss errors? Do you find your mind wandering when you go back over documents you had hoped were finalized? You can begin to increase your proofreading accuracy and speed by practicing the skills of Perfectly Practical Proofreading. These skills include recognizing the Camouflage Zones where errors often hide; staying alert to details, even in the midst of distractions; developing a proofreading system that works for you and applying tips and tricks that will help you catch mistakes in grammar and usage. Plus, you'll learn how to tactfully deal with co-workers or bosses when they make mistakes or disagree with you on the rules of style.

Participants will learn to:

• Identify the function needed for the document-to increase efficiency in document processing.
• Establish a basic style reference.
• Use precise revision symbols to save time and reduce errors.
• Maintain consistency in style and in format.
• Identify both common and personal proofreading pitfalls which must be carefully verified.
• Maintain focus when proofreading-even when working with distractions and tight deadlines.
• Apply proven proofreading tips.
• Detect keyboarding errors-including mis-strokes, omissions and repetitions.
• Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of spell-check and other software tools.
• Punctuate properly and know where to find punctuation rules.
• Use numbers correctly in business correspondence.
• Understand the correct usage of commonly confused words.

Participants say:

Over the past 2 years, I've gone to many one-day seminars. This was by far the most informative. I really learned a lot.

Class was concise and instructor kept material moving quickly so as to keep class interesting and not boring.

Excellent teacher -- wish I had more like her in college!

Gloria actually made proofreading FUN!

Click here for a printable version of Perfectly Practical Proofreading Skills Workshops>>

If you are having trouble viewing the pdf's, click here to download a copy of Acrobat Reader>>

back to top

Written Communication Articles

• Eight Tips for Proofreading a Moving Target
  When you try to proofread, do you find yourself pushed by deadlines and going so fast that it feels as though you’re proofreading a moving target? When you’ve given a document a quick look and sent it on, inevitably someone brings it back (perhaps with a wicked gleam in their eye) and points out something you missed.
  Click here for more>>
  
  
• The Department of Redundancy Department
  I recently saw a t-shirt that read: "The Department of Redundancy Department." A frequent error most of us make when speaking and writing is using two words, when one word would have been sufficient. Redundant phrases, also known as tautologies, are among the many intriguing English phrases I like to collect. You can print this list and begin to cut the excess from your writing and speaking. Be sure to send me any you think should be added to the list.
  Click here for more>>
  

back to top