Meet the Instructor
Claude Panneton
Claude Panneton is a former public service executive with over 20 years of communications experience including risk and crisis communications, issues management, strategic communications and oversight of departmental public environment analysis, public opinion research and media monitoring.
Testimonials
"Great course! Wouldn't change a thing."
"The exercises we did were all relevant and very useful. I appreciated all the "tricks""
"This workshop taught me how to organize the writing process"
"Easy to follow, interesting, participative - a good overall experience"
"The workshop & exercises were very helpful and gave me the hands on training that I wanted"
"The workshop was great - amazing instructor who kept me interested all the way through"
G037
PLAIN LANGUAGE WRITING SKILLS FOR GOVERNMENT
NOTE: The workshop content described below will be delivered through ZOOM ONLINE on two consecutive half-day sessions. Agendas and other relevant workshop documentation will be sent to you by the workshop instructor at least three days prior to the date of the first session.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
An effective writing style is key to a successful career in the public or private sector. At some stage, everyone is required to produce notes, decks and, of course, e-mails. This workshop reviews the components essential to writing clearly and simply, and provides a range of exercises to refresh and practice those skills.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
- How to develop an effective writing style
- How to write clear, concise prose
- How to organize material in the writing process
- How to present attractive, easy-to-read material
WHAT WILL YOU TAKE AWAY?
- Presentation slides in the form of a participant notebook
- Useful handouts and exercises
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
- Thinking Things Through: Innovating through analysis and ideas
| Agenda | |
|---|---|
| 8:45 - 9:00 | Introductions and Workshop Overview |
| 9:00 - 9:30 | Why Write Well?
Participants examine the key components of good writing and discuss why writing well pays off. |
| 9:30 - 10:30 | A Look at Style
What do we mean by style and tone when writing? How do we choose effective words, eliminate unnecessary terms and avoid jargon? Participants practice tips and tricks for writing well. |
| 10:30 - 10:45 | Break |
| 10:45 - 11:30 | Clear and Simple
Discussion and exercises for avoiding language traps and building clear, readable sentences. |
| 11:30 - 12:00 | The Writing Process
Participants examine the steps in undertaking a writing project and discuss the drafting and editing of texts. |
| 12:00 - 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 - 2:00 | The Art of Plain Language
Instructor-led discussion on the principles and guidelines of plain language. Participants practice making texts clear and easy to read. |
| 2:00 - 3:00 | Writing Concisely
What is "writing short"? Participants learn how to shorten text and write a précis using a five-step process. |
| 3:00 - 3:15 | Break |
| 3:15 - 4:15 | Writing for Government
What is required to write notes, decks and e-mails? Participants learn the essentials of writing government documents. |
| 4:15 - 4:30 | Wrap-up and Workshop Evaluation
Participants complete a short evaluation. |