Precise Writing

When writing for business, it’s important to use precise language. This means that word choice is of the utmost importance. The goal of precise writing is to use the most effective words: when only these remain, your writing will be clear and readable.

This course is designed to develop the skills of recognising and creating good content. We will focus on the areas to achieve your objectives.

Key Training Features

Who Can Attend?

Learning Outcomes


Key Training Features

  • Appreciate the importance of precise writing.
  • Understand how to keep your reader reading.
  • Learn how to substitute complex language with a simpler vocabulary.
  • Recognise and craft a piece of writing that demonstrates precise writing techniques.
  • Explore how large language models (LLM) such as ChatGPT can help refine your writing, and whether it should or not.
  • Collate a toolbox of precise writing top tips.

Who Can Attend?

This training is suitable for anyone who is required to communicate any form of explanation, whether that’s in a persuasive presentation, a short email or a larger annual report. It will also help you provide better feedback to others, and support you to evaluate your own writing style.

The course will be differentiated, which means that whatever your level of confidence you’re sure to benefit from the training.


Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, learners will have:

  • Shown they can evaluate a piece of writing’s effectiveness.
  • Completed a piece of writing that incorporates precise writing techniques.
  • Compiled a toolkit of precise writing top tips that are useful to them in their current role.
  • Learn how to substitute complex language with a simpler vocabulary.
  • Recognise and craft a piece of writing that demonstrates precise writing techniques.
  • Explore how large language models (LLM) such as ChatGPT can help refine your writing, and whether it should or not.

Summary

Duration

10:00 - 16:00

Price

£595 +VAT

Location

Civil Service College, Westminster, London

Dates

Virtual 7 May 2024 Book

Virtual 4 July 2024 Book2

Face to Face 11 September 2024 Book8

Lead Trainer

Alan Barker

Alan Barker

Alan Barker is an associate of the Civil Service College and an accomplished training consultant, coach, and author with over 25 years of experience. Alan specialises in creativity and writing skills, providing comprehensive training in various aspects of professional writing.

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Alan Barker

Alan Barker

Alan Barker is an associate of the Civil Service College and an accomplished training consultant, coach, and author with over 25 years of experience. As a preferred supplier of training and coaching for the Greater London Authority (GLA), Alan specialises in creativity and writing skills, providing comprehensive training in various aspects of professional writing.

His extensive expertise covers business English, plain English, concise writing, report writing, strategic report writing, advanced report writing, technical report writing, writing for policy, copywriting, speechwriting, proofreading and editing skills, and minutes and agendas.

At CSC, Alan has conducted workshops for esteemed organizations such as GLA, Greater Manchester, and the Ministry of Justice. He has also delivered a public course on Concise Writing. Apart from his association with CSC, Alan is an Affiliate Professional of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, where he conducts a copywriting masterclass and a course on creativity for copywriters. As an associate of the European Speechwriter Network, Alan leads seminars on speechwriting.

Alan's impressive roster of client organizations spans multiple sectors, including local government, finance, culture, science, and the environment. Some notable clients include Alpha Real Capital, The British Museum, The British Science Association, The Environmental Protection Agency (United States), The House of Commons (London), and ICAEW (The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).

With a deep understanding of the art and science of effective communication, Alan Barker continues to empower civil servants across industries, helping them sharpen their writing skills and unleash their creative potential

Lead Trainer

Rebecca Rothwell

Rebecca Rothwell

Rebecca is a member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading and holds a PGCE. Rebecca also holds over 15 years of teaching experience.

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Rebecca Rothwell

Rebecca Rothwell

Rebecca is a professional member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) and holds a PGCE. With over 15 years of teaching experience spanning schools, colleges and professional organisations, Rebecca communicates and coaches with exemplary use of language, grammar and writing skills. She runs Rothwell Editorial, a successful editing and writing company, and works with some incredible people.

An accomplished ghostwriter, Rebecca collaborates with high-profile clients to create truly personal memoirs and autobiographies. She is a successful author and blogger in her own right – her work has been printed in national newspapers and by some of the world’s leading publishing houses. As an editor, Rebecca works on professional documents, freeing them from clichés and stock phrases, to bring personality and accuracy to the writing.

Rebecca is fascinated with the study of linguistics and how our language choices define us, both as private individuals and public personalities. She combines her personal interest with her professional experience and honed skills to create effective, worthwhile and meaningful training sessions.

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Jan - Dec 2024

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