Writing Plain English
What's your writing identity? Do you write for an audience? How do you get your key message across?
Writing Plain English means you communicate clearly and concisely. You get to the point, making sure your key message gets across. It’s the difference between:
Arrangements are being made to enhance the aquatic recreational facility. (Old-fashioned, wordy and tired)
and
We’re improving the swimming pool. (Plain English)
At the end you will:
- understand your writing identity
- understand what readers want
- use the writing process: plan, draft, edit, proofread
- structure your document to meet readers’ needs
- use effective headings and sub-headings
- choose your words carefully
- cut out waffle
- write effective sentences and paragraphs
- use verbs rather than nouns
- prefer the active rather than the passive voice
- use correct grammar and punctuation
- choose between different writing tones
- write effective reports, letters and emails.
Why is this important?
Readers often only skim read documents. Effective writing means readers can pick up messages quickly. Plain English makes sure anyone can understand what you want to communicate.
