Persuasive Public Sector Writing Masterclass
All writing should be clear, concise, and correct.
Good quality public sector writing should also be professional, persuasive, and polished. Public sector writing can be challenging and time-consuming. You have to contend with different audiences, rigid deadlines, and complex topics.
While the basic skills of good writing are critical, you need more to meet the demands of more involved government communication. You need to be able to present every case confidently and well, regardless of who you are writing to or what you are writing about. You must be able to use words, structure, flow, and more to deliver compelling arguments and convincing information that people will want to read.
It is about using writing to communicate complex issues clearly and with influence.
This masterclass will help you to make the most of your existing skills and practice new ones. It will also offer tips and techniques to make your writing easier, faster, and more effective.
Register and refine your skills, so your writing stands out, for all the right reasons.
Bev Sullivan
Founder and Director, WriteWitch
Bev has decades of experience in running written communication workshops for public servants at all levels and from all tiers of government. Her specialty is helping people to use (and tweak) their existing skills and experience to make writing less of a chore and deliver better results.
With an extensive background in government, education and communication, she is very familiar with the challenges involved in producing excellent public sector writing.
Bev Sullivan
Bev has decades of experience in running written communication workshops for public servants at all levels and from all tiers of government. Her specialty is helping people to use (and tweak) their existing skills and experience to make writing less of a chore and deliver better results.
With an extensive background in government, education and communication, she is very familiar with the challenges involved in producing excellent public sector writing.
Bev has been an English teacher, a trainer, manager and director in the public service, as well as a consultant, presenter and editor. Most days, if she isn’t training, coaching or editing for one government agency, she’s writing something for another.
She is frequently asked to coach managers, professional staff and executives – on writing, communicating, presenting, and leading, and she is also in demand as a public speaker.
By the end of this masterclass, you will know how to:
- Plan before you write and clarify what you are aiming for when you are writing
- Write for different audiences and use active voice – to help both you and your reader
- Recognise good writing and avoid common problems
- Be clearer and more concise and use templates to save time and effort
- Use structure to make it easier for your readers to understand your argument
- Write persuasively and improve the flow of your writing
- Save time when writing (and avoid multiple rewrites)
- Write about technical subjects to non-technical audiences
- Write executive summaries
- Address specific grammar and punctuation issues and develop your attention to detail
Who will attend?
This is a one-day workshop for public servants who want to improve their public sector writing skills. Attendees can be working in any agency at any level of seniority and will want to learn how to develop stronger writing skills.
Additional information:
- Participants should submit a short example of their writing in advance so the facilitator can tailor the content to meet requirements. They will also have opportunities to analyse and practise on examples of their work during the masterclass.
Agenda
‘Your writing says a lot about you. It shows how organised you are, how thorough you are, and how skilled you are at presenting a case your readers will find clear, interesting and convincing. Every piece of writing you do gives you the chance to contribute to the objectives of your organisation – and gives you a chance to shine.’
– Bev Sullivan, Owner, Credence Consulting
All times shown in Local time
Acknowledgement of Country & opening remarks
Participant & facilitator introduction
Knowing what to aim for
- Understanding what makes writing good
- Writing for different audiences
- Considering different types of government writing including ministerial correspondence, briefing notes, parliamentary questions and internal documents
- Working with the approval chain
- Choosing your words
- Writing about technical subjects to non-technical audiences
Morning break
Being clear & concise
- Using a reader-focused structure
- Writing only what is necessary
- Planning to deliver a better product
- Using templates well, to save effort
Lunch break
Writing efficiently & effectively
- Considering your paragraphs and order
- Improving the flow of your writing
- Writing persuasively
- Saving time (and avoiding multiple rewrites)
- Ensuring your writing is complete
Afternoon break
Being accurate
- Developing your attention to detail
- Editing to make sure your document will achieve its purpose
- Addressing specific grammar and punctuation issues
- Practising proofreading tips and techniques
- Continuing to improve
Participant reflections & ongoing improvement
Close of masterclass
Note: We recommend that participants submit a short (no more than one page) example of their writing in advance so the facilitator can tailor the content to suit. You will also have the opportunity to practise and analyse your writing during the masterclass.
Pricing
Early bird savings until 26 June
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $500
Early bird savings until 17th July
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $300
Early bird savings until 21st August
Early bird pricing
Save $100
Standard price
+GST
After early bird pricing
Save with our group discounts: Groups of 5+ save 10%, groups of 10+ save 20%
The information was presented concisely and accurately by a personable presenter who made the material more alive with her loved experience examples.”
Sharra Lannan
Senior Researcher, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry - Australian Federal Government, April 2025
Bev is so insightful and entertaining. I left the session feeling confident to improve my writing. I had so many light bulb moments and was engaged throughout!”
Vanessa Pearce
Marketing and Communications Officer, Department of Education, VIC, April 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed the Persuasive Public Sector Writing Masterclass led by Bev. She was engaging and made sure we understood each concept thoroughly. I especially enjoyed learning about the structure, history, and psychology behind writing techniques. I highly recommend any training sessions by Beverly or the Hatchery and look forward to attending more.”
Joanna Weaver
Communications Officer, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, May 2025
This masterclass supported me in improving my writing skills, providing me with insights I never had. It allowed me to view my writing pieces, finding ways to improve continuously. It was critical and considered key messages, my audience, the end goal, and writing more clearly and concisely. I was excited to learn and be inspired. What I learnt from this session will allow me to continually improve my writing pieces and will remain with me. If I have another opportunity to complete one of Bev’s masterclasses, I will. I’ve completed many training sessions, and this was an absolute standout!”
Natalie Levey
Program Support Officer, Magistrate’s Court of Victoria, May 2025
Beverly is a great facilitator. The course was super informative. I’m going home with new skills and knowledge to help my writing.”
Heti Cruikshank
Manager Policy, NSW State Emergency Service, April 2025
This is a great course for anyone new to government or who has been in government for a very long time to learn contemporary writing and plain English so that it is accessible to readers.”
Melissa Landewee
Public Servant
“Thoroughly enjoyed the writing workshop, would recommend it to anyone.”
Gareth Bush
Compliance Officer- July 2025
“I highly recommend the course. It is the most comprehensive and relevant writing course I have attended. “
Rod Smith
Principal Policy Advisor, Department of Transport and Main Roads - July 2025
This course is great for anyone in the public service looking for practical techniques to improve their writing. Bev’s engaging teaching style kept me interested, and I’m now inspired to build on the skills I’ve learned.”
Angela Cristina
Governance Officer, Tax Practitioners’ Board - July 2025
The course is very well structured and offers practical ways to improve your writing. Bev is also an incredibly engaging teacher!”
Amina Gouda
Senior Project Officer, Resources Health and Safety Queensland Persuasive Writing Masterclass Series April 2026
I really enjoyed this course. Kept me interested and keen to apply what I’ve learnt.”
Elizabeth Wray
Administration, Canberra Health Services Persuasive Writing Masterclass Series March 2026
The masterclass was very helpful for me as someone new to working with the government. Bev was also an engaging and excellent facilitator.”
Shahida Wessling
Policy Officer, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Persuasive Writing Masterclass Series March 2026
The content was very relevant and will provide tangible benefits. The facilitator was very engaging and made the content enjoyable.”
Samantha Robertson
Principal Strategy and Risk Advisor, Department of Justice and Attorney-General Queensland, Persuasive Writing Masterclass Series April 2026
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