Successful communicators today need to be able to assess the
messages they put on websites, Facebook pages, and tweets.
If your
audience cannot locate, understand and act on your message, you have
missed an opportunity to connect with them. In order for any
communications to be clear, the user must be able to locate the
information that they need easily and quickly, understand the
information that they find, and act upon the information. This boot camp
will give you the skills you need to assess your messages.
What will you learn?
You will learn to assess communication:
- What is wrong with the current style of impenetrable writing in public communication?
- What are the costs of ineffective communication?
- How does plain language improve the situation?
- How are special audience segments negatively affected?
- What is involved in the plain-language process?
- How is traditional rhetoric applied in the plain-language process?
- How do you research the general public as a targeted audience?
- What are the writing-style tips for creating plain language?
- Why are plain-language documents tested and how?
- What are the components of and roles in a long-term plain language project?
How will you learn?
The boot camp features lecture, class discussion, small-group
activities, and hands-on exercises. You will learn by analyzing
before-and-after examples. There will be short writing exercises.
Event Details
Thursday, March 19
9am - 4:30pm
BBY, MBC 1300
Please bring your lunch
Facilitators Biography
Katherine McManus
Katherine McManus spent more than 20 years in post-secondary
education, much of it focused on teaching academic writing and
advocating for innovative approaches to teaching. She has a background
in rhetorical theory, instructional design and education technologies.
She recently retired as director of the Writing and Communications
Program at SFU Continuing Studies, and she is currently working as an
education design consultant. She is a partner in IC Clear, an
international consortium developing a professional certificate in Clear
Communication.
Cheryl Stephens
Cheryl Stephens is a leader in the international plain language
movement who has written four books about plain language in law, the
web, and large organizations. She has consulted and provided training
for 25 years. Reviews say her training is practical and fun.
Cancellations: All events are costly to set up, even those which are offered free of
charge. If you're unable to attend a workshop you registered
for, please cancel in a timely manner by clicking on the 'cancel' link
in your event confirmation email.