What people are saying...
What people are saying...
Here are just a few comments from our many satisfied customers.
About Unit 1
"I have completed Unit 1 of the Written Power Online program and find it very useful in my job as a technical writer. The primary message here is to help the reader understand the message in a minimum of time. I have learned how to “write to express” rather than to “write to impress,” and my internal editors have already noticed the difference in my style."
About Unit 2
"After doing Unit 2 in your tutorial I have the confidence to put my thoughts down and share them with others. Writing Clear Sentences has opened my eyes to not only how boring I was, but also to how much time my colleagues had to waste trying to figure out what I was saying. Fortunately, this unit gave me a way out! I have learned how to craft a sentence using action verbs. It has been excruciatingly difficult for me to learn this unit’s techniques, but seeing a clear, concise, email come from my computer makes it all worthwhile."
About Unit 3
"My writing has improved significantly since taking Written Power Online. One of the most useful techniques I have learned is using the active voice technique effectively. Prior to taking this course, there were times when I used the passive voice. This made my writing less effective, and limited the full potential of my writing. After taking this course, I have learned the benefits and effectiveness of using the active voice, creating a clearer and more effective sentence."
About Unit 4
"I liked Unit 4, and it made up for a gap in my education. Before, I wasn’t really sure what punctuation mark to use in some emails, but now I know a lot more. This unit even explained how to use a semicolon correctly; now I feel more confident! I liked the drag and drop exercises too."
About Unit 5
"The technique I found most interesting was the organizational patterns of putting a paragraph together. I understand how topics not related to the paragraph, can be added, and how easily the reader could become confused and not get the correct message. I will continue to complete other units of the Written Power Online to gain more knowledge of writing powerful messages."
About Unit 6
"I have found Unit 6, "Creating a Positive Tone" to be the most helpful, in both my personal and professional life. The following techniques in particular have been very useful in improving the quality and calibre of my writing (and getting what I want from people!):
- Engaging the reader by putting the focus of the letter or email on the reader
- Using positive words to put a positive spin on letters and emails dealing with less than positive subject matter
- Using names whenever possible to put a human touch to the letter or email, and to make the reader feel important
- Avoiding long sentences or complicated words to keep the reader's attention
- Using humour to create a lasting favourable impression on the reader (and his or her memory!)
While I have chosen to write about Unit 6, in actuality I found all of the units in the Written Power Online program to be helpful tools in my new and improved writing regimen! "
About Unit 7
"Prior to completing Unit 7, I struggled with formatting memos. I usually wrote memos in a chronological order, but I now realize that there are a variety of effective patterns of organization for memos, and I should pick the one most suitable to my subject matter:
- Chronological – to explain how one thing led to another
- Problem/Solution – to outline an issue and recommend steps for resolution
- Importance – to make the most important point first
- Familiarity – to ease readers in to new information
- Relevance – to divide memo content in to categories
Writing clearly and concisely makes it easier for the reader of the message. Also, writing relevant and specific subject lines will draw attention to the message and allow the readers to remember the main point. "
About Unit 8
"I learned to put the good news at the beginning of the letter (to put the ice cream on the plate first!). Thanks for a great course that was really interesting and fun."
About Unit 9
"I often write "bad news" letters. In most instances, I'm asking people to complete "low-priority" tasks. As a result, many people request exemptions. Thus, Unit 9 ("Saying No Graciously") helped me enormously. Instead of writing negative letters, I plan to close letters positively and provide positive alternatives where possible. Furthermore, since government employees deal with complaints frequently, I found the section on rejecting complaints to be particularly useful. In addition, the unit on punctuation and grammar refreshed my memory on the subject. This section should be required of all government employees, especially lawyers."
About Unit 10
"I studied Unit 10 of Written power Online. Having been in sales for many years that section jumped out at me. In my Pre - Assessment I scored a disappointing 62%, much to my astonishment. I learned many things during the Unit, including AIDA, which I had not known before. Another thing I learned is that I don’t have time to do the assignment at work. In my Post - Assessment I scored 100%. I learned through the proper letter writing techniques I could increase sales, if I ever go back to that field."
About Unit 11
"This report describes what I have learned from Unit 11 in terms of 2 major learning components: why and how to use the core sentence.
1. Why use the core sentence: The core sentence states the purpose of a report and it sets the stage for the meat of the report and it saves research time. The core sentence will help the writer stay focused.
2. How to use the core sentence: What helped me to understand the importance of the core sentence was the six components: the subject, verb, object, linking phrase, numbering of major components, and naming the major components.
Learning to write reports using this method has guided me to write faster! "
About Unit 12
"I showed my son this method of report writing and he found his Social Studies report so much easier to complete. He told me that he wished someone had shown him this method before he was in high school. Also, using Mac's Method to assist with formatting has not only helped me in better organizing my reports, but also to write them more quickly and clearly."
