Storytelling in Plain Language

Summary

Storytelling in Plain Language isn’t just about “writing simple stories”—it’s a way of organizing and structuring written thought that saves time and money. Plain Language contributes to excellent customer service and makes life easier for employees. Documents written in Plain Language are easier to understand and require fewer resources to explain and revise. People make fewer errors responding to letters written in Plain Language, and compliance is faster and more accurate, especially when written communication is our primary medium of interaction.

In this interactive workshop, participants will develop a better understanding about how to use a variety of Plain Language tools, and how to communicate technical information in ways that strengthen internal and external communications.

Learning Outcomes

  • Using Plain Language to communicate more clearly and persuasively

  • What Plain Language is—and what it is not

  • How and why to omit needless words

  • Targeting readers and enabling them to understand what you’re writing

  • Placing modifiers correctly

  • Applying practical techniques to create Plain Language

  • Keeping one idea to a sentence

  • Understanding document design to hold readers’ attention and improve clarity

  • Customized “Before/After” examples from real-life documents

  • How and why to write in the active voice

  • Using a positive tone

  • How and why to write clear, short, and direct sentences     

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sessions have been delivered to thousands of people across general audiences and specialized teams. Past participants include professionals with job titles like policy analyst, marketing advisor, salesperson, C-level executive, communications manager, data analyst, engineer, journalist, grant writer, digital strategist, documentary filmmaker, museum curator, entrepreneur, and many more.

    Click here for selected testimonials →

  • Past clients include a variety of organizations from every major sector of the economy, including every level of government.

    Click here for selected testimonials →

  • Pricing depends on many factors, including format, content, timing, location, and number of participants.

    Click here to get a quote for your desired workshop, course, or keynote →

  • • Sessions delivered online or in person

    • Teaching materials (yes, even keynotes come with written resources!)

    • Pre-session consultation and post-session follow-up

    • Francophone-friendly instruction (participants may speak in the Official Language of their choice)

  • Yes, all the time!

    Click here to get started →

  • All material is designed and delivered by award-winning facilitators.

    Click here for team bios →

  • Group size has ranged from as small as three to as large as hundreds. There are different ideal sizes depending on your desired format and content.

    For workshops, groups of 10-15 tend to work best, but smaller or larger groups can be accommodated.

  • Bookings are generally made at least one month in advance, but shorter timelines can be accommodated.

  • Yes, StoryCorp has dealt with many complex procurement, contracting, and security requirements.