Writing in Plain Language
274-16
Business writing
Get Your Message Across in the Shortest Time Possible
Plain language techniques make your written communications clear — and they help the audience easily understand your intended message. The Government of Canada’s communications policy states, “An institution’s duty to inform the public includes the obligation to communicate effectively….To ensure clarity and consistency of information, plain language and proper grammar must be used in all communication with the public.”
This workshop will provide you with skills needed to communicate clearly, concisely, coherently, and correctly. You will learn how to gear each piece of communication to its intended audience, always keeping the needs of the audience in mind.
At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Use Plain Language techniques to communicate effectively
- Understand the rationale for using Plain Language
- Write clearly and concisely
- Follow Government of Canada Plain Language guidelines
Planning to Communicate
- Know your audience
- Understand why you are writing a document
- Understand how the information will be used
- Organize the information to suit the communication goal
- Present the information in the best possible way
Writing Effectively
- Organize the information
- Help the reader find the necessary information
- Address your reader directly
- Lead with intent
Designing Sentences and Paragraphs
- Keep them short and simple
- Lead with strength
- Link sentences and paragraphs
- Use the active voice
- Use positive sentences
- Check for clarity
- Follow the thread
Choosing the Right Words
- Avoiding jargon and “bureaucratese”
- Technical words and terms
- Keeping verbs as verbs
- Avoiding noun chains
- Using acronyms
- Avoiding language landmines
Presenting Your Work
- Use headings and subheadings effectively
- Help the reader navigate the text
- Use colour, font, and graphics to your advantage
- Check your text
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Anyone who wants to improve their written communication skills and gain confidence when writing documents for a variety of audiences.
This workshop addresses:
- Achievement / Results Orientation
- Adaptability / Flexibility
- Analytical Thinking
- Client Service
- Communication
- Computer and Digital Technology
- Creative Thinking
- Decision Making / Decisiveness
- Document Use
- Engagement and Motivation
- Impact and Influence
- Planning / Organizing
- Policy Development
- Problem Solving
- Promotion
- Reading Skills
- Writing Skills
To learn more about core competencies, click here.
Open to all members of the public.
$ 595 plus tax
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