PUBLIC WORKSHOPS LIST

Business Grammar That Matters (P227)

Produce Professional Documents with Confidence

This course is currently being delivered as a live, instructor-led session online. See dates in the online section to the right.

Do you struggle to write correctly and professionally? Have you struggled with whether or not to use a comma or with how to punctuate bulleted lists? Have embarrassing errors undermined your writing?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you. In a lively, hands-on session, you will learn to appreciate and apply grammar rules for clear communication. You will also learn to avoid common pitfalls and edit your work for clarity and correctness.

Participants will have plenty of opportunity to practice their new skills on common business documents, and are encouraged to bring examples they are working on.

This is a one-day workshop in Ottawa.

Space is still available for all course dates listed, unless otherwise noted.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this seminar, you will be able to:

  • Understand grammar fundamentals
  • Apply grammar rules to produce error-free documents
  • Produce professional documents
  • Be confident about your English usage
  • Communicate effectively


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Workshop Topics

Sentence Basics

  • The difference between clauses and phrases
  • Sentence construction
  • The “bones” of the sentence versus the extras
  • 4 types of sentences
  • Lengthen and shorten sentences for variety

Punctuation Basics

  • Necessary commas
  • Discretionary commas
  • The difference between semicolons and colons
  • Canadian usage for quotation marks
  • The different kinds of dashes and their uses
  • Punctuate different kinds of sentences

Modifiers

  • The differences between adjectives and adverbs
  • Phrases and clauses that modify
  • The order of modifiers
  • Misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers, and squinting modifiers

Verbs and Verbals

  • Subject-verb agreement
  • Proper verb tense
  • Verbals: verbs that function as other parts of speech
  • Active and passive voice

Pronouns

  • Correct pronoun choice for the case
  • Pronoun-antecedent agreement
  • Possessive and relative pronouns

Lists and Parallel Structures

  • Horizontal and vertical (bulleted) lists
  • Parallel structures in lists
  • Parallel structures in sentences and ideas

Editing Your Own Work

  • Common traps
  • Tips for editing your own work

Who Should Attend This Course?

All those who would like to improve their English language communication skills.

Does This Course Address Your Competency Development Needs?

This training workshop addresses:

• Communication
• Document Use
• Engagement and Motivation
• Impact and Influence
• Learning Support / Continuous Learning
• Reading Skills
• Writing Skills