Writing for Communications Professionals
It seems I'll be able to switch into a required course entitled Emerging Communications Technologies, which sounds really exciting.
In the meantime, tonight I went to my other course, Writing for Communications Professionals. True to its name and much to my delight, most people in the class are in fact already communications professionals in the fields of PR, marketing, writing, and advertising. I look forward to some great cross-pollination to take place during and after class.
Our instructor is really laid back, outgoing and self-confident. She did a great job helping us get to know each other. Our ice-breaker exercise was to introduce ourselves, jobs, etc, and mention three particular items: our worst writing skill, our best writing skill, and a writing story from our childhood. It turned out to be a great exercise, because people had to share their weaknesses (a humbling experience), their pride, and tell us a little about their childhood. For instance, we learned that some people had similar weaknesses, or had strengths that complemented one another. We learned if someone grew up in another country or state.
In the class, we are reading from a wonderful book called "On Writing: A Primer" by Wendy Bishop. It's the kind of $60 book that you groan when buying because who wants to spend that much for a book you'll probably never use after school? But after reading the introduction and first chapter, I realized what a valuable source of information it is for writers.
Near the end of class, our instructor handed out a letter written by the Development Director of an organization to a potential donor. It was riddled with type-o's and improper content. We moved into groups of 4 and collaborated on editing the content and style. The result was four very different but very good editing drafts, each one teaching us a little more about the numerous possibilities in editing a document. We then discussed the tact with which we would suggest those edits to a boss or superior. I feel like I have a lot of experience to add in this area - it's the very epitome of diplomacy.
For our homework, we need to ghostwrite a letter of complaint on behalf of a family member, using their voice. I'm a little unsure of how the instructor is going to recognize whether or not we are being authentic to the voice of our principal, but I guess she trusts us to recognize this ourselves. I think I'll hand the finished product to another family member to test for effectiveness.
All in all, an exciting class that will create many useful skills in writing and speechwriting. I look forward to the next class.
In the meantime, tonight I went to my other course, Writing for Communications Professionals. True to its name and much to my delight, most people in the class are in fact already communications professionals in the fields of PR, marketing, writing, and advertising. I look forward to some great cross-pollination to take place during and after class.
Our instructor is really laid back, outgoing and self-confident. She did a great job helping us get to know each other. Our ice-breaker exercise was to introduce ourselves, jobs, etc, and mention three particular items: our worst writing skill, our best writing skill, and a writing story from our childhood. It turned out to be a great exercise, because people had to share their weaknesses (a humbling experience), their pride, and tell us a little about their childhood. For instance, we learned that some people had similar weaknesses, or had strengths that complemented one another. We learned if someone grew up in another country or state.
In the class, we are reading from a wonderful book called "On Writing: A Primer" by Wendy Bishop. It's the kind of $60 book that you groan when buying because who wants to spend that much for a book you'll probably never use after school? But after reading the introduction and first chapter, I realized what a valuable source of information it is for writers.
Near the end of class, our instructor handed out a letter written by the Development Director of an organization to a potential donor. It was riddled with type-o's and improper content. We moved into groups of 4 and collaborated on editing the content and style. The result was four very different but very good editing drafts, each one teaching us a little more about the numerous possibilities in editing a document. We then discussed the tact with which we would suggest those edits to a boss or superior. I feel like I have a lot of experience to add in this area - it's the very epitome of diplomacy.
For our homework, we need to ghostwrite a letter of complaint on behalf of a family member, using their voice. I'm a little unsure of how the instructor is going to recognize whether or not we are being authentic to the voice of our principal, but I guess she trusts us to recognize this ourselves. I think I'll hand the finished product to another family member to test for effectiveness.
All in all, an exciting class that will create many useful skills in writing and speechwriting. I look forward to the next class.
posted by Allison at 10:15 PM
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