Administration & secretarial · Short course
Professional Business Writing Skills for Administrators
Producing clear, purposeful written communication for administrative work.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Producing clear, purposeful written communication for administrative work.
The programme brings together writing purpose, document structure, professional language and editing. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: Administrative messages are accurate but readers struggle to identify the action required. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Administrators, office coordinators and support professionals.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Define the audience and purpose of a sample communication.
- Restructure a document around its key message and requested action.
- Rewrite a fictional message in clear professional language.
- Edit the final document for accuracy, consistency and readability.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Writing purpose
This part of the programme examines writing purpose, with attention to audience, message and required action. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Audience.
- Message.
- Required action.
- Applied work: define the audience and purpose of a sample communication.
Illustrative practical exercise
Define the audience and purpose of a sample communication. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Document structure
This part of the programme examines document structure, with attention to clear paragraphs and logical organisation. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Clear paragraphs.
- Logical organisation.
- Applied work: restructure a document around its key message and requested action.
Illustrative practical exercise
Restructure a document around its key message and requested action. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Professional language
This part of the programme examines professional language, with attention to tone, concision and readability. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Tone.
- Concision.
- Readability.
- Applied work: rewrite a fictional message in clear professional language.
Illustrative practical exercise
Rewrite a fictional message in clear professional language. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Editing
This part of the programme examines editing, with attention to checking accuracy, consistency and presentation. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Checking accuracy.
- Consistency.
- Presentation.
- Applied work: edit the final document for accuracy, consistency and readability.
Illustrative practical exercise
Edit the final document for accuracy, consistency and readability. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
Administrative messages are accurate but readers struggle to identify the action required. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.