Writing with Clarity & Impact for Government Seminar
Reading between the lines – learn the art of writing clear impactful content that engages your audience
Do you want to become a more skillful and confident writer at work? The importance of writing well cannot be overstated. Words, and how we arrange and use them, affects how our audience ‘hears’ and ‘perceives’ us.
Effective writing conveys your message or information with 100% clarity to your audience. In good writing, everything makes sense and readers don’t get lost.
Crafting effective writing requires regular, deliberate practice. Attending this seminar will set you up for success with your writing and readability skills.
Megan’s experience working with and for the government gives her the practical insight required to teach and train you to write in a way that will allow well-informed decision-making and provide better quality information to decision-makers.
Learn how to
Understand the function of words, phrases, and clauses
Use plain language that is accessible and readable
Understand how formatting impacts the reader experience
Correctly use the punctuation mark
Avoid common grammatical errors
Write with consistency and by conventions
Confidently proofread and edit documents
Megan Hender
Founder, Megan Hender Consulting
Megan is an experienced non-executive Director with a strong interest in strategy, governance, risk, and communication. She serves on several boards and committees including as chairperson.
Megan Hender
Megan is an experienced non-executive Director with a strong interest in strategy, governance, risk and communication. She serves on a number of boards and committees including as chairperson.
In 2010 she was elected as a Councillor at the City of Adelaide, where she served two terms, including 18 months as Deputy Lord Mayor.
A lawyer by training, Megan has worked as a solicitor, a university lecturer, a General Manager and a Chief Executive Officer. Since 2002 she has run her own management consulting business, Megan Hender Consulting, working with a wide variety of public and private sector organisations.
Megan is also an accredited coach and experienced mentor – providing support and encouragement to senior executives and others as they navigate their careers and build their businesses.
In addition, Megan is a highly regarded presenter and facilitator. She is a member of, and has regularly presented at, the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has developed and presented workshops for professionals (lawyers, doctors, company directors and others) for over 20 years.
The course is ideal for professionals who seek to:
- Develop and strengthen their writing for the public sector environment
- Write simply, clearly, and effectively at work
- Understand the function of words, phrases, clauses, and grammar
- Deliver better quality information to decision-makers through clear writing
- Better advise staff or team members on how to improve written communication
- Improve the clarity and impact of their current writing
- Improve the readability and comprehension of their writing
Agenda
Times will be shown in AEST
Acknowledgement of Country & Opening remarks
Using Plain Language
- Plain language: Choosing simple words, using short sentences, avoiding jargon, using active language, using positive language, avoiding ‘throat clearing’ phrases
- Accessibility and writing: Being careful with gender, avoiding nominalization, ensuring writing is accessible, sensitive, and appropriate
- Less is more: Avoiding using phrases when one word will do
- Being concise and clear
- Active versus passive use of language
Why Formatting Matters
- The choices of format: Using white space, understanding paragraphs, using topic sentences, choosing fonts, using headings, numbering, bullet points, etc
Short break
The Dos & Don’ts of Punctuation
- Modern punctuation: The history of punctuation, the purpose, and use of each punctuation mark
- Just one exclamation mark will do!
Short break
Avoiding Common Grammatical Mistakes
- Grammar: Avoiding common mistakes
How to Edit & Proofread
During this section of the seminar, attendees will actively proofread samples of their work (selected before the seminar) and assess opportunities for improvement. Please note – samples will remain private to each participant.
- Editing and proofreading: How to do each, and what is the difference?
- Understanding readability
- Using ‘Word’ to keep you on track
Questions
Close of Seminar
Pricing
Save until 12 July
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $200
____________
Bring your colleagues and save with a group discount
- Groups of 10 save 10%
- Groups of 20+ save 20%
Save until 2 August
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $100
____________
Bring your colleagues and save with a group discount
- Groups of 10 save 10%
- Groups of 20+ save 20%
Standard rate after early bird
+GST
Standard rate after early bird
+GST
The Writing with Clarity and Impact for Government seminar was a very practical and relevant training course. The facilitator, Megan Hender is highly knowledgeable and has a ton of writing experience. I now feel more confident to complete my next writing task.”
Gabrielle Seal
Web Publisher, Department of Education
The Writing with Clarity and Impact for Government Seminar was well-structured, and the content covered a wide range of topics. The real-work examples shared during the session added a practical dimension to the learning experience, making it easier to apply the concepts discussed.”
Renie Samuel
Project Officer, Migration Queensland
Very happy with the professionalism and presentation of this course.”
Howard Ellems
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service
This is a great practical useful seminar. Language, punctuation and grammar hints necessary in all parts of adult life.”
Clarissa Turner
Principal Organisational Change Officer, Queensland Police Service