Judith Gillespie Myers, Ph.D.

“If you write a government document, remember that if it’s indecipherable, you’re wasting your time. No one will read it.”
—Brian Friel, Government Executive

A Plain-English Guide to Government Writing

Whether you’re in the public or private sector, good writing skills are critical to your success in the workplace. Plain Language in Government Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide shows you how to apply federal plain-language guidelines to every type of writing — from emails, memos, and letters to agency communications, technical procedures, and budget justification statements. Through numerous exercises as well as examples from a variety of federal and state agencies, this practical guide walks you step-by-step through every phase of the writing process, providing tips for improved clarity, conciseness, and completeness.

This valuable reference will help you:

• Write for diverse audiences in reader-friendly, plain language
• Overcome writer’s block
• Gain confidence in your ability to write — and get results
• Make your writing visually appealing
• Prepare for briefings and presentations
• Recognize successful writing and identify what makes it effective

A Plain-English Guide to Government Writing will enable you to express yourself more clearly and concisely, produce documents more efficiently, and work more effectively with others throughout the writing process.

Table of Contents

Part I: Process and Stages of Plain Language Writing • Succeeding as a Writer in Today’s Workplace • Getting Started: The Planning Stage • Drafting: Writing It Down • Editing: Using the Right Voice and Tone • Editing: Writing with Clarity and Conciseness • Adding Visual Impact to Your Writing • Editing; The Final Phase • Part II: Types of Business Writing • Emailing the Right Message • Writing Winning Letters • Creating Rousing Reports • Achieving Skill in Technical Writing • Other Forms of Workplace Writing

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Judith Gillespie Myers, Ph.D., is an instructor and writer who has taught writing skills to numerous government employees. She is the author of Essentials of School Management, How to Select and Use Learning Tools, and Banishing Bureaucratese. She received her doctorate from American University in Washington, D.C.

Praise for Plain Language in Government Writing: A Step-By-Step Guide

"This book offers sound, practical advice for improving government writing. Judy Myers takes writers from beginning to end, through the entire process of planning, creating, and testing documents—all with a view to making them as clear as possible. And if writers will only follow her advice, readers everywhere might actually understand and be able to use the information they receive from their government."
—Professor Joseph Kimble, Thomas Cooley Law School

"Judy Myer’s new book on plain language in government writing is an outstanding tool for government writers who want to accept the challenge of writing more clearly to their customers."
—Dr. Annetta L. Cheek, Co-chairman of the Center for Plain Language

Related Training Courses:

• Business Writing

Softcover
6" x 9", 430 pages
ISBN: 978-1-56726-224-7
©2008

Product code: B247
Price: $39

Instructor’s guide available for text adopters — please contact
pubsupport@managementconcepts.com.