Atlanta Firm Selected To Present In Australia On The Business Of Writing

Oct. 8, 2009 - PRLog -- According to the National Commission on Writing, each year an estimated $2.9 billion is spent by corporations on remedial training to help employees.  This estimate does not include spending by government agencies to improve the writing skills of their employees.

Clear communication is a critical skill needed by government personnel since this is how agencies communicate with the public as well as each other.  Yet in spite of the high value placed on writing skills, a significant number of government employees do not meet the states’ minimal expectations.  In another report released by the Commission, state agencies provide written communications training at a cost of nearly a quarter of a billion dollars annually – a cost carried by taxpayers.

These findings demonstrate why the National Writing Project has made improving the quality of writing and learning in our nation’s schools its central mission.  The findings also contribute to the Plain Language in Government Communications Act (HR 3548) which was recently passed.  And they establish a need for “Raising the Standards,” which is the theme of the PLAIN (Plain Language Association InterNational) Conference in Sydney, Australia this month.

Conference presenters consist of selected experts from around the world, who are plain language advocates.  Attendees will learn how plain language is improving services, training and saving money in government, industry, law, medicine, engineering and finance.

Dr. Marćia Riley, who writes a monthly column for the Tennessee Tribune on “Edit Like a Pro,” was selected to present instructional techniques that work.  She will be accompanied by Ms. Sandy Carciofi, who has been affiliated with the company for more than 20 years.

Marćia’s proposal was selected because it focuses on “Raising the Standards” when teaching business and technical writing.  She said, “Many times students and employees dread having to take a writing course.  They arrive expecting to be bored to death.  However, our training approach to written communications is truly different – from the room set-up to exciting learning activities.”

With the increasing influence of technology, many high school and college students are using an abbreviated form of writing called “texting, instant messaging and textspeak.”  While these short forms of communicating can be ideal for social settings, it can form some serious bad writing habits if a student carries these habits into the workplace.

ABC News did a feature, “Is Texting Crippling Teen Writers” to provide some insight.  Yet the debate continues in academic and business circles.

While the use of texting, instant messaging and textspeak continues to be debated, it’s obvious that using this short form of communication sacrifices proper grammar use, punctuation and spelling.  However, in defense of textspeak, one student pointed out that he sees M.D., etc., RSVP, Ms., FL and other “short cuts” used by professionals as a form of accepted textspeak.  He contends that textspeak does not hinder proper language development, let alone prevent anyone from writing in plain language.

Because writing matters whether on the job or in school, EA conducts a set number of pro bono (free) sessions for non-profit organizations with student members.  Marćia feels that these pro bonos complement efforts of the National Writing Project, National Commission on Writing and PLAIN.

PLAIN’s website (www.plainlanguagenetwork.org) provides numerous resources and aides for employees and students interested in improving their writing skills.

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If you would like more information about this topic or how to schedule a pro bono session for your non-profit organization, please call Marćia or Sandy at 404/210-5946 or e-mail marcia@executivewritingcoach.net.

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Marćia’s philosophy regarding written communications is: “Powerful writing is not a secret, it’s a system.”  And she believes that everyone has one, it just has to be discovered from within.

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Additional information on this topic, viz:
www.plainlanguagenetwork.org
www.nytimes.com/2004/12/07/business/07write.html
www.biz-community.com/PressOffice/PressRelease.aspx?i=629&ai=36308
www.cnsnews.com/news/article/54930

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Since 1980, EA has provided successful oral and written communications training to corporate, government and academic clients across the country. The company also offers pro bono presentations to non-profit organizations.