Feedback on the “Improve Your Writing” Workshop

9th July, 2010 - Posted by bethcurl - No Comments

Beth ran the first Skills2Grow ”Improve Your Writing” workshop last Tuesday on 6 July. We explored the  Seven Steps to Writers Heaven (and Readers Heaven) and participants learned techniques for making writing easier, more enjoyable and most importantly how to get their message across clearly,  achieve their  objectives and meet the readers’ needs. 

The participants found the workshop very valuable  -  they rated the courses content & structure and activities & exercises 5.6 out of 6  and they rated the facilitator and handout material at 5.8 out of 6.

Here are the aspects participants found most valuable

• Planning techniques and use of mind-mapping; think of all information that needs to be included then order it.
• Take an overview before you start writing - select the information you need to support your conclusions.
• Words and succinct sentences – keep it simple, the more complicated you make something the more difficult it is to read and understand. Short sentences.
• Bringing a sample of my own work in and realising how it can be improved, so the reader finds it easy to digest.
• How to structure my work before writing a report. Planning and mind-mapping as I tend to start unplanned and get confused or miss areas.
• There are 3 main parts I found valuable and they will benefit my future writing: different structures in writing a report; succinct sentences;  review methods – reading out loud helps you  to check the meaning and flow and to spot errors.
• Relating what I have learned to my own work

What actions you intend to take as a result of this learning? The Participants said:

• Writing clear and concise reports using the skills learned today.
• Be more confident with my writing skills and not be afraid to have a go.
• Mind-mapping for planning.
• I intend to take everything on board. I have forgotten some writing skills over the years, so to have a full day going over things I have forgotten is really valuable.
• Plan more, take time to read through and edit. Tackle long sentences to simplify them.
• Using “read out loud” as a method of review and edit. When writing a summary, go through the document, highlight the key information to include.

What would you say to someone else who was thinking of attending this workshop?

• Excellent workshop. Made me think about how I write / language used.
• Do It! Go on it, it’s worth it!
• It helps you to see where you go wrong and where you cn improve. Very helpful!
• I recommend this course.
• Very worthwhile

At Skills2Grow, Stella, Tina and I have reviewed the course and will be adding a new session on communicating in e-mail using assertive and positive language. We will soon be arranging dates for the next Improve Your Writing Course – so keep an eye on the website for our new calendar of events.