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Academy

The difficulty is not to write, but to write what you mean.

Courses offered with
Award-Winning ​
Plain Language Academy

Let us be your language compass and guide you to the right wording, structure, and design! You will help clients maximize their investment in communication and readers find, understand, and use information responsibly to better themselves, their communities and the environment! 

Our Program is built on Core and Advanced courses. Begin your plain language learning journey by understanding the real meaning and process of clear communication. Then enhance your awareness of audience and start improving your writing, editing, and design skills.

Our Advanced courses are designed to meet the growing demand for specialized knowledge: legal, health, online content; science, technical, design, and strategic planning.

Certificates are presented for successful course completion. Letter of Achievement is sent to you when six are  completed successfully. We recommend the first three core courses and any three others.

Start now
Plain Language Basics

You will learn the core guidelines for plain language ideas on promoting it to others what the process involves skills to prepare you for the next courses. ​
​Outline
 Module 1: What is Plain Language?
Module 2: Plain Language to Solve Problems
Module 3: Making the Message Clearer
Module 4: Review and Wrap-up
Module 5: Quiz
Module 6: Assignment
Instructor
​Kate Harrison Whiteside, Key Advice

Plain Language Writing & Editing

You will learn to create a clear plan, write for your reader, and edit your copy to meet plain language guidelines.
Outline
Module 1: Planning for Clarity
Module 2: Plain Language Writing
Module 3: Plain Language Editing
Module 4: Questions
Module 5: Assignment
Instructor
​Kate Harrison Whiteside

Audience Awareness

You will gain skills in getting to know and understanding your audience, and designing and delivering messages that put the audience first.
Outline
Module 1: Knowing your audience
Module 2: Understanding your audience
Module 3: Design, and accessibility needs
Module 4: Review and resources
Module 5: Assignment
Instructor
​Kate Harrison Whiteside

Courses

Word a Win
in Every Aspect
of the Writing & Editing Processes

Plain Language & ​Health Literacy

You will learn how plain language supports health literacy to promote successful health communication. Plain language has a vital role in fostering access, understanding, and usability of health information.
Outline
1. Health Literacy as a Complex Construct
2. Plain Language for Health Communication
3. Writing Strategies for Clarity in Health
4. Live Recap and Final Project Instructor
Romina Marazzato Sparano

AI for Writers

You will be empowered to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance creative processes, optimize content production, and improve audience engagement. Whether you are a novelist, content creator, or copywriter, this course will provide you with the tools and insights to integrate AI seamlessly into your writing workflow, making you more efficient and versatile in your craft.
Outline
​Module 1: Understanding AI: Foundations for Writers
Module 2: Enhancing Creativity with AI: Tools and Techniques
Module 3: AI-Assisted Content Generation: From Idea to Execution Module 4: Optimizing Writing for SEO and Audience Engagement Using AI
Module 5: Ethical Considerations and Challenges in AI-Assisted Writing
Module 6: Measuring the Impact of AI on Your Writing Process and Output
Instructor
Romina Marazzato Sparano

Editing for Clear Legal Writing

You will learn how to prepare technical information for non-technical readers. ​You might write: correspondence to citizens about their water quality reports to elected officials about development projects user manuals for customers with new electronics You will learn to assess your audience and their information needs and to edit a technical document so that they can find the information they need, understand what they find and use that information quickly. This course gives a certificate of achievement after your assignments are completed and marked.
Instructor
Nicole Watkins Campbell

Implementing Plain Language as a Strategic Priority

The focus of Plain Language actions is often on specific documents or pieces of communication. Implementing Plain Language in a systematic manner in an organization is, however, a different challenge for executives, compliance officers, communication managers or customer relations. This course will empower you to make your organization truly customer- or citizen-centred.
Outline
​Module 1: A framework for implementing Plain Language as a strategic priority
Module 2: Getting leadership buy-in for Plain Language
Module 3: Developing a business plan for Plain Language
Module 4: Establishing a Plain Language process
Module 5: Creating sustainable excitement for Plain Language
Module 6: Monitoring process and demonstrating return on investment ​
Instructors
Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green

choose your plan

Personal Coaching

We have experience working with large and small businesses, including freelancers and sole proprietors, and are ready to help you develop and implement a targeted strategy that’s right for you!

Initial Consultation
Initial Consultation

$ FREE

Let's figure out how I can help

We will take 1/2 hour to explore your needs or assess your project, see how I can help, and make a plan:
  • Project Scope
  • Writing or Translation Conundrums
  • Certification Preparation
  • Certified Translations
  • And much more
Let's plan!
Hourly
Hourly

$ 147

Per hour

We can take one hour to drill down on a specific issue or plan a series of hours to tackle a bigger project:
  • Review a Document
  • Enhance Style Guide Elements
  • Improve your Resume
  • Explore Specialization Options
  • And much more
Let's do!
Retainer
Retainer

Negotiated

We'll routinely work together

We will work together on an ongoing basis, and you will have access to my seasoned advice:
  • Develop a Writing Process
  • Establish a Style Guide
  • Master a Text Type
  • Find Your Niche
  • And much more
Let's collaborate!