Effective Written

Communication
Types of Writing

Pat Brans (pdbrans@gmail.com)

Agenda

Summaries
Directions
Persuasive arguments
Summary
A summary is a brief account that
contains the main points of something -
for example, news reports given on the
radio or TV.
A summary shows how much you
understood of what you read or saw.
Summaries are a great way to remember
what has happened.
Writing a summary
First look for the most important ideas.
Then put all the main ideas together, in
a logical order.
Focus on the ideas, and leave out things
that are irrelevant.
In this class, for example, there is no
need to mention things about the
professor in your summaries.
Directions

Sometimes you have to explain how

something works or how to carry out
procedures.
Writing directions

Make a list of all the steps – don’t go

into a lot of detail, just enough that you
remember what to write about.
Make sure all of the steps are in the right
order.
Writing directions

If you’re giving directions to make

something, make sure you give a list
that tells all the stuff you’ll need.
Start your explanation with a good
sentence that says what you’re trying to
do.
Writing directions
Write all the directions as briefly and
clearly as possible. Use words like first,
second, and next to help the reader
understand.
Edit what you’ve written, and then try
to follow the directions yourself. Make
any changes that you might have
missed the first time.
Writing directions

Have someone else try to follow your

directions. If they don’t understand,
write it more clearly so they do.
Use illustrations if they help make the
written words more clear.
Group Exercise

Write directions on how to do something.

Distribute the printed version of your directions assignment to other

students.

Try to follow the directions given you by another student.

Suggest changes as appropriate.

Some of you will present directions and the corrections to the class.

The rest of the class will tell me if the corrections are good.
Persuasive writing

Persuasive writing is a type of writing

where your main goal is to persuade or
convince someone to do something. 
Persuasive writing
You need to have reasons why the person
should do what you are suggesting. 
You also need reasons why your idea
might not be the greatest. 
Have reasons from your perspective and
from someone who thinks the opposite of
you. 
Persuasive writing
Try to make your writing as
convincing as you can. 
Give reasons to support your cause and
explain what the consequences will be if
the things you are listing aren't done. 
Your conclusion should restate what you
are trying to persuade the person to do. 
Group Exercise

Form groups of two or three people already sitting close together.

Write a persuasive argument.

I will ask two groups to present their arguments.

The rest of the class will tell me if the argument is good.

 Group Exercise
Consider the following types of writing you will do at Grenoble-EM and in
your professional life:

Summaries

Essays

Answering questions on tests

Dissertations

Email

List three things that make each of these categories distinct and provide three
tips on how to write in each.
Effective Written
Communication
Types of Writing

Pat Brans (pdbrans@gmail.com)