Economist Education

Professional Communication: Business Writing and Storytelling

Learn how to craft accurate, engaging and impactful pieces of writing for the business context.

Start date

05 February 2025

Price

$1,965 USD

Installment Plan

Request a call

Course duration

6 weeks

Excluding orientation

Language

English

Access resources from start date

Effort

6–8 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

"Never use a long word where a short one will do."

– George Orwell

Orwell Foundation (Nd). Accessed 15 June 2021.

"Look for the clutter in your writing and prune it ruthlessly. Be grateful for everything you can throw away [...] Simplify, simplify."

– William Zinsser

BBC (May, 2015).

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

Professional Communication: Business Writing and Storytelling is an online short course from The Economist designed to help business professionals attract and address broad audiences across various written formats. Based on the newspaper’s editorial practice, this six-week course offers a self-reflective journey through the craft and purpose of writing and storytelling, equipping you with the confidence to communicate with partners and employees. An accessible 'tools not rules' approach to grammar unlocks practical skills for constructing cohesive sentences and paragraphs, and shows how elements such as word choice, punctuation and structure can maximise impact and clarity. You’ll also explore ways to source information accurately, learn to strengthen arguments with data visualisations, and uncover methods for constructive and collaborative editing.

Enjoy a free three-month digital subscription with this executive-education course from The Economist. Read daily articles on Economist.com, listen to our podcasts, watch videos, browse newsletters, immerse yourself in our app or join us at exclusive events.

Is this course for you?

This course will benefit anyone seeking to improve their business writing and storytelling abilities. Participants who are looking to communicate with more conviction will learn how to craft narratives that hook and convince their readers, whether they are employees, partners or clients. Individuals will gain practical skills in sourcing, writing and editing content, and in the effective use of data visualisation.

This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 50 hours of learning.

Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. Economist Education and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.

Course overview

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

What will set you apart

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

An understanding of the importance and impact of professionally written content.

Practical writing, editing and data-visualisation skills for creating clear and compelling business communications.

A writer’s toolkit based on The Economist’s editorial approach, helping you to navigate questions of structure, word choice and style.

The ability to source, structure and convey information in a way that is accurate, engaging and ethical.

Unlimited access to the official Economist Education alumni group on LinkedIn and 2U’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.

Course curriculum

Enhance your ability to craft clear and compelling written communications as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

Planning for impact

Module 2

Crafting your structure

Module 3

Choosing words that work

Module 4

Writing clear and engaging sentences

Module 5

Making data beautiful and compelling

Module 6

Editing your work

What past students
think

Rob Walsh

Partner EY

This course provided not only [the] practical tools to make me a better writer but also focused on the process of writing, with tips to avoid procrastination and other common inefficiencies.

Course founder

The design of this online short course is guided by expert contributors, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.

Lane Greene

Language columnist, The Economist

About the certificate

Improve your business writing and earn an official certificate of completion from The Economist.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements.

Economist Education Professional Communication: Business Writing and Storytelling online short course certificate

YOUR INFORMATION

Get more information

Answer a few questions and get more information about the course.

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Yes, I want to receive additional information about the Economist Education Professional Communication: Business Writing and Storytelling online short course. Please contact me:

By email: *YesNo

By phone: *YesNo

Phone *

Please enter a valid phone number

edX, and its parent company, 2U, Inc., offer other online education programmes across various fields of study. Please email me about these programmes.

By consenting to receive communications, you agree to the use of your data as described in our privacy policy. You may opt out of receiving communication at any time.

FAQ

Want to know more?

GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.

We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.

Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.

Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.

You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.

GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.

At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.

As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.

To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.

The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.

On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.

By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?

Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.

If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.

ENTERPRISE TEAMS