Page 123 - Planning Group Induction Pack_Neat

Introduction: writing to be understood

Writing is a core activity for many staff across our department and this guide is designed to help you write
clearly and concisely and in a consistent style. A significant proportion of staff across our department spend
at least a part of their working day writing, for a variety of reasons and purposes. Sometimes we are writing
to communicate with our colleagues; other times we are writing for external stakeholders and members of
the community. Sometimes we are writing for both internal and external audiences.
Clear, concise writing that is easily understood and free of jargon is an essential part of our service offering
to the community and stakeholders because written communication is one of the key ways we provide
information to and engage with the people we are here to serve.

Clear writing also better enables us to communicate with each other and with our colleagues in other
government departments and agencies.
The American journalist and author William Wheeler once said that “good writing is clear thinking made
visible”. The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer once wrote that “one should use common words to
say uncommon things”. And Albert Einstein is well known for saying that “if you can't explain something
simply, you don't understand it well enough.”
This guide will help you write to be read and understood, while following department style.
It also provides you with guidance on how to write for social media to help you optimise the way you
communicate on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels.
If you have any queries about or feedback on this style guide please contact Content and Newsroom
Manager Paul Sellars on 0407 292 287.

To write in clear English, you must know:

• Why am I writing (purpose)?

• Who are my readers (audience)?
• What are their needs and interests (influences)?

• What other background information do I need to make it as clear as possible
(background/research)?
• What message do I need to deliver (content)?

• How will I express myself so people understand me the first time (structure,
sequence, style, tone, presentation)?

Writing with style 3
Our guide to better writing and reaching your readers