writing to be read

Half-day masterclass for public sector professionals who write for others to read and act on

For those producing emails, briefings, reports or public-facing content, and who want their writing to be clearer, easier to follow and more likely to be acted on.

  • By the end of the masterclass, participants will be able to:

    • Get to the point quickly so key messages are understood first time

    • Structure written work so it is easy to follow and act on

    • Adjust tone and level of detail for different audiences, including senior leaders and the public

    • Use AI to support drafting and editing without losing accuracy, judgement or voice

    • Edit content down to what matters, meeting word limits without losing meaning

    • Write in a way that is clear, accessible and appropriate for a wide range of readers

  • This is a practical, hands-on masterclass.

    Participants work through examples of public sector writing, including their own where appropriate. Each section introduces a simple approach, followed by short exercises to apply it straight away.

    AI tools are used in compliance with government guidelines to show how they can support drafting and editing, while keeping control of content and decision-making with the writer.

    • Half-day masterclass (3.5 hours)

    • Can be extended to a full day to cover additional objectives

    • Delivered in-person or virtually

    • Mixed groups from across teams

    • Level set to match the group on the day

    • Up to 20 participants

    • From £1,800 per session

  • 09:30 – 09:45
    Introduction and context

    09:45 – 10:30
    Writing with purpose and audience in mind
    Using the F-shaped reading pattern and research on attention and memory to understand how readers actually scan a page. Covers accessibility, plain language and writing for audiences from senior leaders to the public.

    10:30 – 11:15
    Using AI to support drafting and editing
    Exploring how to use AI responsibly for drafting and editing, in line with the UK Government AI Playbook. Comparison exercises build the skill of writing to the right length from the first draft.

    11:15 – 11:30
    Break

    11:30 – 12:15
    Structuring and editing for clarity
    Building clear, concise structures using headings, signposting and summaries that let a reader scan the page. Editing checked against the ACID test - Accurate, Complete, Interesting, Deliverable - to meet word limits while keeping meaning and accessibility intact.

    12:15 – 12:45
    Tone, accessibility and inclusive language
    Workshop on tone of voice: plain English, person-first inclusive language and jargon-free writing that reads consistently across different audiences.

    12:45 – 13:00
    Key takeaways and application
    Review key learning and agree individual commitments for applying it back at work.

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Sue Calthorpe, Associate Trainer at Teamshaper
Communicate - a Teamshaper training module