Q. Can training make a difference in participants' writing?
A. Yes! Reva's training has a record of success as participants take what they've learned back to the workplace. Anyone who can write can learn business and technical writing because it comes from training, not talent.
We often find that as soon as people learn a few principles of clear writing, their punctuation and grammar errors diminish because the shorter and less complex sentences and paragraphs that they learn to write are easier to handle.
Q. What specific results should I see in participants' writing after training?
A. Training will help participants to—
- Understand and meet the readers' needs
- Choose the correct media to use for each communication task (e-mail, letter, Web site, phone call)
- Communicate clearly the first time
- Organize to communicate the main points
- Write documents others will act on
- Write documents that will be easy to scan
- Establish and maintain good will with the reader
- Design attractive documents using the latest tools to enhance the message, not detract from it
Q. Are there limits to what can be accomplished in training?
A. There are some extreme cases in which we cannot realistically expect significant improvement in writing. Those cases will include some people with certain learning disabilities and those who have severe communication deficits. For an explanation of what you can expect from training, see Kenneth W. Davis's article, "What Writing Training Can—and Can't—Do."
I sometimes tell clients that I bring help and hope but no miracles.
Q. How long will the training take?
A. The time participants must spend in training will depend on your goals, their needs, and their availability. Obviously, significant changes in writing patterns take time, practice, and feedback. Most training takes 1 to 2 days, but occasional training courses can require 4 days.
Training designed to address long-standing grammar problems will take more time and should be delievered in multiple short sessions.
Q. How can I get people to apply what they have learned on the job?
A. Improving the writing in an organization is a commitment that must begin at the top so that participants see that improved writing is important to their job success.
Yet it's not enough for management to voice support to the consultant. Supervisors and managers must communicate their interest in improved writing in ways that participants understand.
One successful method is to have supervisors and managers involved in the training and setting the example in their writing after training. Many organizations have also found that adding writing goals to performance reviews adds to the effectiveness of training.
The key is that the support must be consistent and visible.
Q. What happens after training?
A. Your agency will need follow-up after training because changing writing habits takes practice and feedback. Reva offers personal feedback in the form or written responses to participants' writing both during training and in follow-up conducted by fax and telephone after the training.
Q. Do you offer individual tutoring?
A. Yes, I enjoy doing individual tutoring designed to meet your needs. I have many exercises prepared for adults in the business world who need to brush up on their grammar and punctuation. We'll work on practical assignments that will be low on theory and high on the essentials that you must know to excel in business. These exercises are compiled in a workbook, Dynamic Business Grammar, Punctuation, and Style.
I also have exercises and short writing assignments for those who have a good handle on grammar but need help with their writing skills.
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