Resources
Learning to write well takes time but is well worth the effort.
To help you to write well at work, here’s a selection of articles, tips, clips and podcasts.
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Read our blogs
Take a look at our blog archive for lots of tips and tricks on good writing at work. And don't forget to sign up to the blog so you can learn how to improve your writing in regular bite-sized bits.
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Four tips for effective writing
Here’s four tips to keep in mind when writing any workplace document.
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Why plain language matters
Plain language communications explain even the most complex ideas in ways that readers can understand. They are pitched at the right level for their intended audience. They are better for writers, better for readers and better for business.
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Working with subject matter experts
Read Lynne Laracy’s article, first published in the Southern Communicator, on how to produce large organisational documents without killing each other.
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Watch
Here are some YouTube and Vimeo clips we love.
On grammar
Check out this wonderful animated lesson on nominalisations (turning verbs into nouns and making your writing very dull).
On clear communication
This is a great TED Talk on why plain language matters. It’s by Sandra Fisher-Martins from the plain language organisation, Portuguese Claro. It’s in Portuguese, but it’s well worth reading the subtitles.
This TED Talk is from Alan Siegel. It discusses how governments and businesses communicate (or don’t) with their citizens and clients.
On how language changes and adapts
English 3.0
This excellent, well-balanced documentary by Joe Gilbert features interviews with well-known and respected linguists and authors on how the internet and social media are affecting the language. None of them believe the language is going to the digital dogs - but see a whole new way of communicating that enriches, not impoverishes the language. It is 20 minutes long, but worth the time.
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Writing good executive summaries and recommendations
Listen to a podcast about writing good executive summaries and recommendations in board papers from our affiliate Mary Morel. This podcast is on the Governance Institute of Australia website.
Write so your readers see what you see
An inspiring interview with Steven Pinker, author and Harvard professor specialising in language and the mind. He discusses why good people write bad documents - and how to avoid it. An essential premise of good writing is that the writer and the reader are equals. The reader should be able to see what the writer sees. "Good writing earns trust," he says. It's 20 minutes long - so give yourself time to enjoy it.