Three writing exercises. A first draft, a comparison, a revision.

A repeatable teaching routine

1. Read the audience, factual constraints and task together.
2. Write a first draft before looking at the model.
3. Compare specific choices against the three checks. A different answer can still satisfy the brief.
4. Revise one substantive choice and explain why it helps the reader.
5. Share only with the learner’s permission. Fictional practice work is not evidence of client results.

For each check, use 0 = not yet demonstrated, 1 = partly demonstrated, 2 = clearly demonstrated. Discuss the evidence in the writing. This is a classroom discussion rubric, not a validated proficiency test.

Exercise 1 · 20 minutes

Turn notebook features into useful benefits

Connect a supported feature to a useful reader benefit.

Audience: People who take meeting notes and need to find earlier decisions.

• The fictional Meeting notebook has lay-flat binding.
• It has 120 numbered pages.
• No price, dimensions, paper material or pen-performance claims have been supplied.

Write a 60–90-word product description. Connect each supplied feature to a specific task the reader does, then finish with one clear purchase action. Use only the supplied product facts.

Discussion rubric

• Each benefit explains how a supplied feature helps someone take or revisit meeting notes.
• The description makes no unsupported price, material or performance claims.
• The final line gives the reader one specific next action.

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Exercise 2 · 15 minutes

Ask for a specific project review

Make the requested response and deadline easy to find.

Audience: Jamie, a colleague reviewing a fictional launch checklist.

• The launch checklist is attached to this fictional email.
• Jamie needs to review the dates and owners in the checklist.
• You need approval or specific edits by Thursday at 3 p.m. to share the final checklist on Friday.

Write a subject line and a short request email. State what Jamie should review, the response you need and the deadline. Explain the reason for the deadline without making it sound like a threat.

Discussion rubric

• Jamie can identify exactly what needs reviewing.
• The response, deadline and reason for it are explicit.
• The request is courteous without hiding the action in a long introduction.

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Exercise 3 · 15 minutes

Cut the padding from a notebook description

Remove padding while retaining facts and a clear next action.

Audience: People choosing a notebook for meeting notes.

• The fictional Meeting notebook has lay-flat binding.
• It has 120 numbered pages.
• No price, dimensions, paper material or pen-performance claims have been supplied.

Edit the starting copy down to 35–50 words. Keep both product facts, explain their use for meeting notes, and end with one clear action. Remove repeated ideas and empty introductions before cutting useful information.

When it comes to taking notes during meetings, it can be useful to have a place where you can write down the things that are being discussed. The Meeting notebook is a notebook that has lay-flat binding, which means that it opens flat, and it also includes a total of 120 numbered pages. These numbered pages can be used when you want to refer back to notes from previous discussions. Consider choosing the Meeting notebook for taking notes at your next meeting.

Discussion rubric

• The revision retains lay-flat binding and 120 numbered pages.
• Every sentence helps the reader understand the product or take the next step.
• The revision is 35–50 words and does not add unsupported claims.

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