Course Outline

Writing E-mails and Letters is organized into five modules. Below is an estimate of the amount of time it will take you to complete each module.

Note: Time required to complete each module includes time needed for reading course content and completing assignments. Use these as estimates only because time varies by learner. Make sure you allow more than enough time to complete the course.

Module 1: Writing Effectively for the World Bank (2-3 hours)

This module gets you thinking about writing at the World Bank and helps you assess your current writing skills and establish your expectations for the course. Through examples and activities, you consider the idea of effective writing in the World Bank context.

Module 2: Planning and Drafting Correspondence (5-7 hours)

In this module, you analyze the different types of correspondence that you will likely encounter in your day-to-day writing tasks. You also consider appropriate strategies for writing correspondence at the World Bank. By using the technique called the Dialogue with the Reader, you begin thinking about how best to achieve your purpose in writing a document.

Module 3: Correspondence Mechanics (4-6 hours)

This module introduces you to the fine details of writing. Mechanics include punctuation patterns, parallel structure, grammatical trouble spots, and specific writing requirements of the World Bank such as spelling and capitalization. In this module, you review and revise sample documents to bring them to a higher standard.

Module 4: Correspondence Style (3-5 hours)

This module continues the focus on good writing and revising practices that you began in Module 3. This module covers the details of style, which includes both how to write clear, direct sentences and how to adopt a proper tone for your readers.

Module 5: Bad-News Correspondence (3-4 hours)

In this module, you focus on a particular type of writing known as bad-news correspondence. Writing an effective bad-news document requires a command of style, tone, and structure, and a recognition of the reader’s expectations and needs. In this module, you practice writing bad-news correspondence for a variety of purposes, and you apply the lessons and skills you have gained in the previous modules.

Total: approximately 20 hours