Plain English reports online

Since the 1970s we have run our Plain English Course for all kinds of organisations, training their staff in the techniques and benefits of plain English.

Nobody wants to waste time trying to understand wordy, jargon-filled documents. And nobody thinks kindly of the people who write them! We train writers to put themselves in their customers’ shoes, and to ask ‘How would I feel if I received this and what would I think of the organisation sending it?’

Training objectives

The course is designed to give delegates the skills and awareness they need to:

  • recognise some of the traps a writer can fall into;
  • understand the features of a plain English style;
  • use a clear and concise style to avoid wasting their reader's time;
  • identify the most appropriate report  writing style for the intended audience; and
  • be able to write and set out a model report.

The course will cover the following:

  • Introduction to the course
  • Is the information as clear as possible?
  • Report writing styles - is the style appropriate for the audience?
  • Shortening sentences
  • Suggestions for clear writing
  • Using verbs powerfully in reports - being active about passives
  • Cutting the waffle out of reports
  • Setting report objectives: the key 'sentence'
  • Summarising a report
  • Bringing it together: writing a short report

This course is available as an open course, an inhouse course or an online course.

Ordering a place on the Plain English reports course as an online course:

The course costs £100 plus VAT (total price £120). You use the course on a password protected website. Your fee gives you unlimited access to the course for two weeks.

We accept payment in pounds sterling (GBP), euros (EUR), US dollars (USD), Australian dollars (AUD) and New Zealand dollars (NZD).

We can accept payment with the following cards.

We can accept payment with the following cards.

To order a place on this course, phone us on 01663 744409 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. We will take your card details, process the payment and send you a receipt. If you would prefer to pay by BACs, we can send you a VAT invoice.

If you want to order a number of courses, email us for an order form.

Please note that your username and password to log in to the course will be sent to you during the working day after you have made your payment..

Refunds may be given at the discretion of the management.