21 Jul WRITING FOR IMPACT
Writing for Impact is a course for intermediate to advanced writers on the tools that they can use to make their writing more impactful, memorable and actionable through concrete tools and takeaways for planning, writing, editing and presenting. Even experienced writers will be able to improve their skills with this course.
The course begins with English words: the nature of English’s mixed vocabulary, and how to choose the strongest words for impact. It proceeds through a short section on drafting strong sentences, with a focus on clarity and simplicity. The following section examines creative structures like analogy and metaphor, and challenges students to build a piece of writing around such tools. At all times the course will integrate material on the psychology of the reader: why concrete nouns, vivid verbs and short, active sentences are easier to process in the reader’s brain, and leave a greater impact.
The course will also go through the steps in the writing process. It begins with how to craft an original idea, saying something striking and new without being pointlessly counterintuitive or provocative. It then goes through choosing the right structure, examining how academic studies, white papers, journalism and opinion pieces differ. Finally, the course will examine editing one’s own work, and will offer tools for getting outside help as well, including the pros and pitfalls of using artificial intelligence, grammar-checkers and so on.
LANE GREENE
Lane Greene is a senior editor at The Economist, where he also serves as the chief of style for the publication. He is the author of its most recent style guide, and has written two other books on language and society. He has served in numerous other roles at The Economist covering business, politics and culture in Madrid, Berlin, London and New York.
Skills
1. By the end of the course, students will have a greater understanding of the tools of writing: vocabulary, sentence structure, and devices like metaphor and analogy.
2. Students will feel confident crafting an original piece of writing with a structure and tone appropriate for a specific audience, designed to leave their arguments in the reader’s head.
3. The student will be a critical reader and editor of his or her own work, as well as the writing of others, able to see weaknesses and areas for improvement, becoming an iterative, reflective writer as well as a more thoughtful reader.
Schedule
Which dates?
21-jan
28/0172027
04-feb
11-feb
18-feb
25-feb
What day?
THURSDAYS
What time?
9.30-11.00
