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Writing for Government – including Ministerials & Briefing Notes

Two people seated at a round table discussing a written text.
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Writing for Government – including Ministerials & Briefing Notes

$625 + GSTper person

In Person Virtual

Location: Level 1 Cloisters, 863 Hay Street, Perth WA 6000
Time: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Duration: 1 Day

Join in-person at our vibrant Perth CBD training centre. Morning tea and afternoon tea are provided for all in-person attendees. Our training centre is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport.

Course Overview

Course Overview

This 1 day practical workshop provides participants with training to produce clear and effective writing for a range of purposes within Government.  There is a focus on function and form and how quality documents can enhance the image and reputation of all agencies and departments. You will cover a range of document types, including emails and letters, ministerials, briefing notes and parliamentary questions.

Dates

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Course Information

Course Content

Planning to get it right

  • What is effective writing?
  • Clarify expectations and standards
  • Identify the purpose and outcomes
  • Identify your audience and their needs
  • Structure documents for impact and readability
  • Plain English principles

Working with Government documents

  • The fundamentals of writing for Government
  • The essentials of form, format, templates and style
  • Ministerial correspondence
  • Briefing notes
  • Parliamentary questions

Editing and proofreading

  • Edit and proofread for:
    • Accuracy
    • Brevity
    • Clarity

What’s next?

  • Sources of support and further information
  • Personal action plan

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Write better government correspondence
  • Review and assess sample government documents
  • Apply the principles of effective written communication for a range of purposes and a variety of audiences
  • Apply the structure and formatting requirements of government writing
  • Write with clarity and impact
  • Be clear, considered and concise with your message
  • Write documents that are approved without undue redrafting
  • Use editing and proofreading for effective quality control

This course requires no previous training or experience.

Participants are requested to bring samples of letters, memos or e-mails from their workplace to refer to during the course.

“This course helps me be more efficient and focused. I am very happy with the practical knowledge and skills that I can take away from the course.” – Lucas from Development WA

“This course has given me a better understanding of writing briefing notes. Karyn was excellent! I learnt so much from. Very clear in her delivery of the course and also made it fun!” – Leah from EMHS

“Great facilitator, fun, engaging and knowledgeable. This course also reminded me of taking a mindful approach” – from DEMIRS

“Examples were easy to understand and relative” – Cecily from Public Sector Commission

“Gained a structured process for writing, including what is needed and what is excess” – Wayne from Public Sector Commission

“I now know how to structure a document” – Cassandra from Department of Health

“Easy to understand and convert the skills into daily use” – Donna from Department of Communities

“Useful, practical tips” – Natalie from Department of Health

“Very clear foundation and a presenter who was happy to help” – Sallie from Department of Health

“Learning to use plain English was the best part of this course” – Rose from Main Roads WA

“I enjoyed having the trainer assist us in editing a document we had previously written, so we could see how to improve” – Tahney from Main Roads WA

“The best skill I learnt here was to plan before writing” – Walter from DMIRS

“Learnt how to make my writing more precise” – Felicia from DMIRS

“Taught me how to bring my writing style into the 21st century” – Claire from Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

“The best part of this course was the layout and tools I gained for effective writing” – Shaun from Department of Education

“The structuring of content and collating of information were the best features of this course” – Merinda from DMIRS

“Broke writing techniques down into easy steps” – Amy from Child and Adolescent Community Health

“The best feature of this course was the planning process given to us” – Roy from DMIRS

“I now understand the importance of using simple language” – Ryan from Department of Communities

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