Dive into Plain Language

Writing for Understanding is an intensive training series that teaches participants how to communicate in more actionable and inclusive ways. 

Who should join?

Writing for Understanding is for folks who are relatively new to plain language and want to communicate more effectively with their community, colleagues, or other professionals. 

Joining a cohort can help you:

✅ Develop your knowledge of plain language and information design practices 
✅ Identify ways to prioritize cultural humility, accessibility, inclusivity in writing 
✅ Review your own public-facing or internal documents in a supportive space (if you'd like!) 
✅ Connect with others, including other professionals who are passionate about systems change
 

Participants work in a variety of sectors and roles, from marketing to programming and administration. Whether you're creating content on a daily basis, or just want to advance social justice in communication, this training could be a great fit!

What will I learn?

Each session covers specific topics related to plain language. 
 

Week 1: Audience + Purpose

In this session you will: 

・Identify what plain language is and isn’t

・Apply trauma informed practices to our writing 

・Examine how clear communication aligns with social justice

・Reflect on an audience you write to and where there are opportunities to better connect with them

Week 2: Layout + Design

In this session you will:

・Define accessibility and inclusion 

・Explore strategies for making our writing more accessible and inclusive 

・Explain how format & organization impact readability and usability

・Practice strategies for purposeful planning and organization

Week 3: Words, Grammar, + Tone

In this session you will:

・Identify jargon and technical language in our writing

・Explore how grammar, tone, and style can make texts more difficult to understand

・Practice plain language strategies for rewriting content more effectively for our audiences

How long is this course?

In order to receive a certificate of completion for Writing for Understanding, participants complete roughly 7-9 hours of work:

Pre-Work: about 1 hour

📕 Before the first live session, complete a self-paced introductory course: Plain Language: What It Is And Why It Matters In Equity-Driven Work. 

Training Sessions: 6 hours 

💻 Participate in 3 live virtual training sessions. Each session is 2 hours. 

Homework: about 1 hour

📝 Complete about 30 minutes of reflection and application activities between sessions.  

Coaching: 1 hour

💻 Join 1 hour of one-on-one plain language coaching. This is your chance to showcase what you’ve learned and receive individualized feedback. 

When + Where 

Session 1: Thursday, May 8 from 2:00-4:00 pm CT

Session 2: Thursday, May 22 from 2:00-4:00 pm CT

Session 3: Thursday, May 29 from 2:00-4:00 pm CT

You will receive a link to the self-paced pre-work and a Zoom link for all three sessions after you complete your registration. 

Scholarships, Accessibility + Other Questions 

We strive to make Writing for Understanding as inclusive as possible. Scholarships are available by request. We'll share the slides in advance and live captions are available via Zoom. If you'd like to request a scholarship, share accessibility needs, or ask questions about this training, contact Sarah at sarah@litworks.org.

This training is not recorded.