Effective Business Writing and Communication
Presented by Sheri Gietzen, M.A., UW Tacoma

We are now accepting registrations for the Spring 2010 class.

Why take this program?
According to former Secretary of Education Richard Riley, the top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 didn’t exist in 2004.

• More than 3,000 new books are published daily.
• The number of text messages sent every day exceeds the population of the planet.
• The amount of new technological information is doubling every 2 years.
• It’s predicted to double every 72 hours by 2010.
• 47 million laptops were shipped worldwide in 2006.
• It is estimated that a week’s worth of New York Times contains more information than a person was likely to come across in a lifetime in the 18th century.

Employees may be preparing for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that have not been invented, in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet. Having employees who can write effectively, think critically, and present accurately are key to a company’s success.

What will this program do for you?
Description:
You will study and apply the principles of business writing through critical reading, analyzing, and writing paragraphs, emails, formal letters, and general business correspondence, as well as learn to develop ideas fully, organize them effectively, and express them clearly. Instruction will be given as to identifying the intended purpose of writing, whether informative, persuasive, or “bad news.” Organizational strategies will be presented on the importance of identifying target audience, when to use formal vs. informal writing and how to give effective presentations. Basic writing skills, such as sentence structure, paragraphing, and business form, will be assessed, addressed, and reviewed.

You will learn:

• To write a more directed, organized and grammatically correct email/letter.
• How to focus the information clearly and effectively.
• How to analyze the audience (reader) for efficient communication.
• How to organize a document based on objectives.
• How to edit for common errors in sentence and paragraph structure.
• How to apply formal language for business writing.
• How to give effective presentations.
• Proper use of internet on the job.

Who should take this program?
Those who have written and/or verbal communication as a part of their job duties and those who wish to improve their communication skills.

Certificate of Completion:
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Washington Tacoma. 

Textbooks for this class:
Writing That Works: Communicating Effectively on the Job, 10th edition
Authors; Oliv, Brusaw and Alred
Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin’s, ISBN 0312541821
This book will be available at the University Bookstore,
1754 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402, 253-692-5784.

Fall Quarter

Instructor	Class meets	Location	Fee	Credit/Contact hours
Sheri Gietzen	Mondays, 10/05, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, & 11/9/2009 (Located in WCG 106) 6:00 - 8:30 pm	UW Tacoma: Dougan 210 WCG 106 (11/09)	$365	15 contact hours & 1.5 CEUs
Course information	Outline

Spring Quarter

Instructor	Class meets	Location	Fee	Credit/Contact hours
Sheri Gietzen	Mondays, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/03, 5/10 & 5/17/2010 6:00 - 8:30 pm	UW Tacoma: TBA	$365	15 contact hours & 1.5 CEUs
Course information	Outline

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Sheri Gietzen, M.A., Interdiscipliary Studies, B.A., Humanities (minor in Environmental Studies), University of Washington Tacoma, AAS, Tacoma Community College

Gietzen was a writing consultant for upper division and Masters students at the University of Washington Tacoma, for five years and currently teaches English classes at Tacoma Community College. She taught in Alaska before moving to Washington in 1989. Gietzen is a founding board member and Vice President of the Board for the non-profit organization Solutions for Humanity, Community, and the Environment, an organization dedicated empowering individuals and groups within the Puget Sound bioregion through intellectual exchange, research, networking, and publication.  She received the Outstanding English Student of the Year award while at Tacoma Community College.

Instructors and courses are subject to change.