If your job involves writing, these online writer training courses are for you. Invest in yourself!
The courses on this site give practical advice about how to make your writing clear, concise and effective. That’s helpful no matter where your career takes you.
The content has been developed from decades of writing plain language text, and teaching other people how to do the same. The content is especially applicable if you work in government. But it is suitable for business writers too.
These courses are for individuals to complete online at their own pace. If you want to train your team, either
- go to thinkwrite.com.au for live training (face-to-face or virtual), or
- complete this form to bulk enrol people in online courses.
All course content is consistent with ISO 24495-1 Plain language – Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. But it is not constrained by the standard.
Don’t let poor writing skills hold back your career.
Very few people have formal training in writing. You find yourself in a job, and you are just expected to write well somehow. These online writer training courses will start to fill that gap.
Bright, capable, enthusiastic workers are too often let down by poor writing skills. Many workers in business and government feel this frustration. At work they’re expected to write well, to communicate clearly and persuasively across a range of subjects. But their training and experience has been focused on developing specialised or technical expertise.
The writing courses are suitable for anyone wishing to improve their written communication skills.
Writing courses to build capability
Writing well is a complex capability. These online writer training courses convey knowledge of plain language principles and how they can be applied. The courses help people write purposeful documents that aim to impact readers; to influence thinking, attitudes and behaviour. Writers learn to generate text that is persuasive without being manipulative. That is,material that is engaging to read and that makes good sense to the audience.
Often writers need to consider a multitude of stakeholders, political ambiguity, and complex information. The processes and ideas covered in these writing courses can help. The course covers the thinking required to write well more than the mechanical process of placing words on a page. The courses on this site go deeper than many other courses on writing.
Online writer training – you are in charge
Complete these online writing courses at a time and place that suits you. There is no need to tie up your schedule to go to classes or webinars. When you enrol, you have access to a writing course for a full year. Revisit the material as often as you like.
Writing courses well matched to public service capability frameworks
For example, the writer training courses on this site address components of the NSW Government Capability Framework – ‘Relationships: Communicate Effectively’ at the following levels
Foundational.
Explain things clearly, Write in a way that is logical and easy to follow
Intermediate.
Focus on key points and speak in ‘Plain English’. Clearly explain and present ideas and arguments. Prepare written material that is well structured and easy to follow by the intended audience. Communicate routine technical information clearly
Adept.
Tailor communication to the audience. Clearly explain complex concepts and arguments. Write fluently in a range of styles and formats.
Advanced.
Present with credibility. Engage varied audiences and test levels of understanding. Translate technical and complex information concisely for diverse audiences. Write fluently and persuasively in a range of styles and formats.
Highly Advanced:
Articulate complex concepts and put forward compelling arguments and rationales to all levels and types of audiences.