Plain English and plain language writing skills course

Make your writing clear, easy to understand and effective

This writing skills course will give your staff the confidence, knowledge and practical skills to use plain language without dumbing their writing down – even when explaining complex issues.

It can be customised to suit you and your team. I’ll take the time to understand what you need and can even base exercises and examples on your own writing if you choose.

The training is interactive and lively: participants are encouraged to ask questions, throw themselves into the exercises and discuss their own challenges and situations.

If you’d like, I can also cover how (and how not to) use AI when writing and editing.

What does this plain language writing skills course cover

Every course is tailored for my clients. However, common topics that I cover include:

• connecting what you need to say with what the reader needs to know
• planning what you need to write before you even touch a keyboard
• using the right tone of voice and style for the audience
• how to write short sentences
• the importance of strong verbs
• writing in the active voice (and knowing when to use the passive – which is an area AI struggles with)
• using positive language
• formatting your writing to make it easier to read
• how to structure different kinds of writing
• showing, not telling
• grammar and punctuation
• proofreading.

Half my clients want me to cover how to use AI to write – and the other half are horrified by the idea. I can make this training work regardless of which camp you fall into.
 

Who will be teaching this plain language writing course?

I guarantee that every course will be taught by myself, Dan Kaufman: a former Sydney Morning Herald editor with over 30 years of writing experience and over 15 years’ experience in training a wide range of organisations, from government departments, councils and health services to law firms, not for profits and universities.

Over that time I have helped my clients improve a wide range of content, including briefs, reports, proposals, brochures, public information campaigns, emails and website copy, for a variety of different audiences.

I have also taught at The University of Sydney, UTS and the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism (ACIJ).
 

Public plain English writing course – live half-day webinar

My next webinar will run on Thursday 19 March from 9.30am-12.45pm AEDT.

It’s a highly practical course filled with plenty of exercises. Only eight places are available to ensure everyone can easily participate and receive feedback. Tickets cost $300 (plus GST).

Online plain English business writing course – learn at your own pace

Study whenever and wherever you want. This online writing masterclass is equivalent to a full-day course, with six video sessions that each take between 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

It covers all the key skills and techniques you need: from making sentences easier to read and more effective to how to write different kinds of documents for different audiences.

There are plenty of exercises throughout the course – every time you learn a technique, you’ll then be given an exercise so you can practice it.

You will receive:

• a handbook that covers essential writing tips and techniques (given as a PDF)
• a certificate of completion (given as a PDF)
• unlimited access to the course for up to five years.

If you’d like personalised feedback – or to workshop your own writing – we can also arrange an optional one-on-one Zoom session for an additional fee.

Price: US$95

One-on-one plain language writing training

Personalised one-on-one sessions are also available, allowing me to focus on the specific writing skills you want to build – and the type of content you need to write.

I can also provide feedback on your writing.

The sessions can be taught online or in person.