A web page devoted to news and views on WordTask training courses and on good writing practices in general. FEEDBACK | PREVIOUS ISSUE | HOME PAGE INDEX OF ARTICLES | LIST OF WEBNOTES ISSUES January, 2000 IN THIS ISSUE-- NEWS BRIEF | COURSE NOTES | TIPS 'N TECHNIQUES | WORD PLAY | COURSE PROFILES MANY FACES.... ONE WORLD BEST WISHES FOR 2000 FROM WORDTASK NEWS BRIEF Web-based courses under development Web-based version of Effective Writing for Technical Specialists to come first. With the increase in the number of requests worldwide for web-based versions of its courses, WordTask plans to deploy its first program on the Web in mid-2000, with others to follow later in 2000 and early in 2001. Designed for both corporate clients and individual users, the new service will combine the quality and effectiveness of WordTask instructor-led courses with the convenience and interactivity of browser-based files. The first course in the planned deployment is Effective Writing for Technical Specialists in mid-2000. The popularity of this course with the high-technology sector makes it a natural candidate for electronic delivery to both companies and individual writers alike. Customers can expect the second course, The ESL Writer's Workshop, in the late fall of 2000. No matter where the participant lives, access to feedback and improvement in written English will be only keystrokes away. All of these web-based courses provide the following features: interactive course materials self-paced interactive practice sessions the ability of users to submit writing assignments to a personal coach user-tailored modules to create personalized customizations of WordTask materials To get the latest on this exciting new learning tool, visit webNOTES over the coming months. For more information on how this new service can help you or your entire organization, contact us today. COURSE NOTES Writing process, business process In a time when we work according to definite, well defined business processes, there's all the more need to produce documentation in a similar process. Unlike other writing courses that are primarily remedial, the WordTask curriculum seeks to align the activity of writing with other business processes. Consequently, participants in our courses learn to apply a writing process that is really a tool for total quality management. In addition, the WordTask approach adapts the writing process to the realities of using the computer effectively. WORD PLAY Here is our second serving of troublesome words. See last month's webNOTES for the inaugural selection! amiable/amicable "Amiable" means "lovable" or the quality that inspires friendliness. On the other hand, "amicable" refers to actions done in a friendly spirit. hopefully This word is an adverb meaning "with hope," as in this sentence: "Hopefully, we went downtown to buy some unusual Christmas gifts." We're saying here that we went downtown with the hopes of obtaining the gifts. The common error is to use "hopefully" as an expression of likelihood, as in "Hopefully, it will snow during our ski vacation." But, clearly, this is incorrect, since there is no one in the sentence to be with hope! verbal How many times have you seen this used to mean "oral" or spoken: "My manager asked me to give a verbal presentation at the meeting." Be careful with this one. "Verbal" really means "in words," not specifying whether those words are written or spoken. utilize/utilization Erase this word from your writing vocabulary. It rarely means anything more than "use." And, no, you don't sound any smarter for using it over the more simple, clear "use"! simple/simplistic "Simple" means "uncomplicated" or "understandable." By contrast, "simplistic" carries the more negative connotation of "naive" or "superficial." If you confuse these, you risk insulting someone. TIPS 'n TECHNIQUES Rubber-stamp closings to your correspondence can damage your credibility With the arrival of computer-based writing and templates for letters and email, there's a temptation to produce one-size-fits-all or "boiler-plate" correspondence. Readers can be particularly sensitive to closings that lack sincerity or commitment. When your correspondence contains passages that are obviously templated, you erode the credibility of the entire message. A case in point is the closing of the letter or email. To prevent an impersonal tone in your correspondence, avoid rubber-stamp closings such as "If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me," or "Thank you for your assistance in this matter." These sentences create a mood of bureaucratic distance in what should be an expression of customer focus or appreciation, respectively. The preferred strategy is to customize the closing to reflect the content of the correspondence. For example, an email that offers a procedure to the reader might conclude with "If you require help with this procedure, I'm here to help." Similarly, a more sincere expression of thanks at the end of a letter might read as follows: "Thank you for helping us complete the project with your valuable input." In their reference to the content that comes before, both these closings tell the reader that you mean what you say. COURSE PROFILES THESE ARE ONLY THREE OF OUR MORE THAN 15 WRITING PROGRAMS TO CHOOSE FROM DOCUMENTING PROCESS & PROCEDURES (2 days) A comprehensive writing process for anyone who produces detailed procedural documents, such as quality assurance manuals, manufacturing job aids, and process documentation. GRAMMAR & STYLE REFRESHER (2 days) The essentials in grammar and style to make your writing precise, clear, and modern, fee of outdated expressions! PROPOSALS WITH THE COMPETIIVE EDGE (2 days) Tips and techniques to guarantee your proposals are compelling documents with a definite persuasive strategy. FEEDBACK | PREVIOUS ISSUE | TOP OF PAGE | HOME PAGE | INDEX OF ARTICLES | LIST OF WEBNOTES ISSUES © 2000 WordTask Information Strategies