Business Writing Foundation
Overview
You know stuff. You're experienced. You've trained in your field. You might even be an expert. But has anyone ever actually taught you how to express what you know in writing? Most of us never get that.
We all write -emails, reports, briefs, summaries, proposals, specs, memos. But we all usually guess at how to do it, or copy what others have done before.
The good news is there are international standards for clear communication. They're simple, easy to learn, and a more natural way of writing than what you might've seen or been taught.
Who should attend
Group Training only - minimum 4 attendees required to run this course. Please enquire for alternative training options at info@ace.co.nz
Anyone who does any kind of writing for work.
Prerequisites
None - please bring your own documents to work on (if any)
What you'll learn
This course will change the way you write, through
- Plain Language approaches - how to make your writing clear, simple, and understandable by a wide audience
- Reader-centric tools - understanding your readers' needs and structuring a document accordingly
- Editing and reviewing techniques - so you can make sure documents (written by you and others) are sharp, polished, and impressive every time!
- Supported writing, using your own documents
Course content
Plain Language
- what is Plain Language
- who uses it
- why use it (the benefits)
Plain Language approaches
- active voice
- 1st person
- speakable language
- sentence length
- 3 P's (positive, professional, personal)
Reader-centric tools
- putting yourself in the reader's shoes
- what all readers want to know
- focus on the reader for success
Editing and reviewing
- 3 hat editing process
- reviewing skills
- surviving the review process
Common questions
When does Business Writing Foundation next run?
The next date is Wed, 9 Sept 2026, and there are 5 further dates scheduled. Delivered live online, ACE Training Auckland, ACE Training Wellington. Every date and its format is listed on this page.
How much does Business Writing Foundation cost?
From $745 + GST per person. Pricing can differ by date and location, so check the option you want before booking.
Do I need any prior experience?
None - please bring your own documents to work on (if any)
Can I attend online, or does it have to be in a classroom?
Both. Some dates run live online and others in-class — each date on this page shows its format, so pick whichever suits.
Can you run this course for my team?
Yes. Any ACE course can be delivered in-house at your workplace and tailored to your team's tools and goals — quote course code Business-Writing-Foundation when you enquire.
