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• In-house Seminars Delivered in Your Organization
  in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, China and Japan

• Objectives
• Outline
• Workshop Leader
• Location & Tuition Fees
• How to Register

Good writers are sought everywhere, but they are not easy to find. Not many people are in complete control of their written communications; not everyone is able to write a message so that they convey exactly what they mean and achieve their intended effect on their readers.

In this applied, practical workshop, we will work on improving communication skills. Our goal is to become confident communicators who know what we want to say and are sure that we are able to say it in the best way.

Who should attend: Executive and administrative assistants, proofreaders, engineers, IT analysts, managers and other professionals who would benefit from: a refresher course in the building blocks of English (proofreading, spelling, punctuation); a review of difficult expressions and styles commonly used in business; instruction that will result in concise, readable English; guidance in crafting more effective letters and memos.

• Sentences:
  what different kinds of sentence can we write?
  How do our sentences either clarify or obscure our message?
  How can we craft sentences that build suspense, lead to a climax, present information clearly, and give readers a clear picture of our meaning?
• Punctuation:
  what are the rules for commas, semi-colons, colons, apostrophes?
  Do the rules make sense, and are we able to use the rules properly to maximize our readers’ understanding of our message?
• Grammar:
  what is a modifier, and how can it be manipulated in a sentence to add emphasis?
  How do we use pronouns correctly, and how to we make sure that they are always clear?
  What does “parallelism” mean, and how can it help our writing?
• Spelling:
  what are some tricks we can use to ensure that our spelling is correct the first time?

• How do I know what I want to say?
• How do I know what the reader wants to know?
• What do I need to say or not say? How do I organize these thoughts?
• Is one idea a digression or an essential part of my message?
• How do I eliminate digressions and focus on the essentials?

• What strategies can I employ to make sure that I am going to get the response I want from my readers?
• How can I make my readers understand me at their ease?
• What are the qualities of good writing, and how do I balance them?
• What are rhetorical strategies, and how can I use them?
• Can I recognize features of good writing in what I read?
• How do I evaluate my own tone and make sure it is suitable and appropriate in all occasions?

• Duration: 2.5 days from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. day 1 and 2, from 8:30 a.m. to noon day 3
• Value in Continuing Education Units: 2 CEU
  
• Locations:
  • Canada: PDI Conference Center in Ottawa-Gatineau National Capital area. Free parking. Directions available at www.executive.org/directions
  • Call us for U.S. locations in Cambridge (MA) and New York (NY).
• Tuition Fees:
  • Fees include books, hand-outs, road maps and other course materials of exceptional value (see above), a daily continental breakfast, a light luncheon plus hot and soft drinks twice a day.
  • Regular fees: $1095; Government: $1045. Add taxes for non tax-exempted participants
  • Group fees for 3 or more delegates registering for the same session at the same time:
    $995 per participant. Add taxes for non tax-exempted participants
  • Complete Programs 5 days: $1995; Government: $1895. Add taxes for non tax-exempted participants
  • Complete Programs 5 days: Group fees for 3 or more delegates registering for the same session at the same time: $1795 per participant. Add taxes for non tax-exempted participants

For overnight accommodation, several hotels are located within 10 to 20-minute drive including Novotel, Hilton, Ramada Inn, Westin, Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Marriott, Sheraton, Delta, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Best Western, Cartier Place Suite Hotel, Lord Elgin Hotel, and Minto Place Suite Hotel. Click here for detailed information about hotels.

How to Register: Please register by phone or fax and pay in advance by cheque or credit card.
Send your cheque payable to: The Professional Development Institute PDI Inc.
Fees include books, hand-outs, road maps and other course materials of exceptional value (see above), and a daily continental breakfast, light luncheon plus hot and soft drinks during the morning and afternoon pauses, but exclude hotel accommodation (if required).

Cancellation Policy: Participants registering as a group must send substitutes in lieu of cancelling.
For other clients, cancellations are accepted if made at least 10 working days prior to the course, and are subject to a $100 service charge per person. Full fees are payable by anyone who fails to attend or cancels less than 10 working days prior to the session. One substitution or transfer to a later course of the same duration is accepted.

The dress code is business casual at your discretion. Trust your judgment. When unsure, err on the side of caution. If overdressed, you can remove a tie or a jacket and roll up your sleeves. Members of the Canadian Forces and the U.S. defense community can, at their discretion, either dress casually or keep the uniform.

You will be reminded the first day to dress the way you feel most comfortable for a photo session the next morning.

Although every effort will be made to ensure a pleasant learning environment including a suitable temperature, we recommend you bring a sweater or a jacket to the classroom as individual comfort zones differ and sudden variations in the weather can temporarily affect air conditioning.

Also please kindly refrain from using strong fragrances during the session in order to accommodate your fellow participants who suffer from allergies.