John Mercer Writing Skills   Home Guidelines Services Clients  Background e-mail	The Business Writing Program
	Description A comprehensive writing program for those whose careers involve, or will involve, a wide range of business writing--from e-mail to memos to letters to reports to analyses and articles. Audience Those having to write frequently in the business setting. Class Time 14 to 16 hours Class frequency Variable, depending on the needs of the participants. Normal class shapes include eight two-hour sessions once a week, five three-hour sessions once a week or every other week, three five-hour sessions every other week, or two seven-hour sessions one day after another, once a week, or a week apart. The greater the program span, the more chance the participants have to practice, affirm, and master the skills being presented. Coaching Variable, but usually one hour per person, frequently split into two half-hour sessions, one during the program, one after it. Outside work Reading and working through Writing at Work by John Mercer and reading The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E. B. White Approach The classroom approach is collegial and supportive. The instructor uses the participants' everyday writing samples for instruction on the topics covered in the readings. Class size 9 minimum and 12 maximum Outcome After the program, the participants should be able to produce writing that is clear, persuasive, and efficient for both reader and writer. Such writing would have to be in a tone appropriate for the situation and be concise, well organized, purposeful, and forceful.