Custom Training Information

Welcome and Introduction

The 5-Step Writing Process

Exercise: Communicating with Clear English

• Avoid pompous words
• Recognize cliches
• Focus on the real subject and verb
• Unlearn bad habits

Punctuation Primer: The Basics of Punctuation and Grammar

Writing with Style

• Your agency's style and formats (letters, memos, and congressional correspondence)
• U.S. Government Correspondence Manual
• Agency style guide

Proofreading for Accuracy

• Breaking writing and correspondence into different elements
• Techniques for efficient proofreading

Exercise: Using the Correct Word

• Dictionaries and the thesaurus
• Words that look and sound alike
• Commonly misunderstood words

Writing Congressional Correspondence

• The fundamentals of clear and concise correspondence
• Sentences and paragraphs
• Examples of good and bad writing
• Examples of congressional correspondence

Writing a Summary

Individual Exercise and Writing Assignment
 

Welcome and turn in assignments

 Review Assignment Solutions

• Review and discussion of specific examples

Writing Congressional Correspondence

• Agency representatives discuss specific examples, issues of particular concern, and internal approval and editing cycles

Writing Longer Documents

• How to plan, structure and write reports and longer documents

The Editing Cycle

• Ending endless editing
• Standardizing formats and terms

Maintaining Effective Writing Skills

• Using writing resources
• How to keep writing skills sharp
• How to keep writing clear and concise
   

Lunches and breaks scheduled as appropriate

All custom training is tailored for each organization and audience. Topics from this program can be combined with topics from our other programs and with topics from your existing training programs.
 

Sample agendas of different versions of this program tailored for previous custom clients are available in Adobe PDF.

• Generic half-day program

See our Sample Agendas page for sample agendas from our other custom training programs.
 

Our selected client list includes clients who have purchased custom training, sent staff to our public programs and who have purchased our publications.
 

To be most effective, this course requires two days.  It can be customized as a one-day presentation with limited exercises and feedback from the instructor.

This program is usually held in Washington, DC.  It can be presented anywhere in the world.
 

If you don't have enough people for a custom, on-site program, you can still train your staff at our public writing workshops.
 

The program fee includes pre-program development and design, materials for your internal marketing and promotion, all course materials, and faculty chosen for your topic and your audience at the time and location you choose.

Our custom program clients provide the classroom/meeting space, all audio visual equipment, any food and beverages, all registration functions, and travel arrangements for attendees. When the program is held outside the Washington, DC metro area, travel arrangements for faculty can be made by the client or by us. 

We can also provide meeting space, audio visual equipment, food and beverage, registration, and travel arrangements, though this affects program cost.
 

• Advanced Media Relations

• Critical Thinking and Writing

• Drafting Effective Federal Legislation and Amendments

• Effective Executive Briefings

• Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony

• Preparing for Congressional Oversight and Investigation

• Speechwriting: Preparing Speeches and Oral Presentations

• Writing To Persuade
   

FEIN: 54-1917701     DUNS: 04-273-5071      CAGE: 1K5S4
 

• Capitol Learning Audio Courses: Communication and Advocacy ^TM

• Common Sense Rules of Advocacy

• Essential Washington and Hill Web Sites

• Legislative Drafter's Deskbook

• Quick DC Links - Washington Essentials

• Testifying Before Congress

• The Business Writer's Handbook
   

• Phone: 703-739-3790

• Email: custom -at- TheCapitol.Net

• Complete our online custom program information request.