Business Writing Certificate
IDBWC

Build core writing skills for government and public-sector work with a focus on purpose, audience, structure, and plain language. Learn a practical process to plan, draft, revise, and edit documents so they are clear, concise, and easy to act on.

• Apply the four-step writing process: plan, draft, revise, edit.
• Analyze audience and purpose to set the right tone and level of detail.
• Organize content with clear openings, logical middles, and actionable closings.
• Use Federal Plain Language guidelines to cut jargon and improve readability.
• Spot and correct common grammar, punctuation, and style errors.
• Edit for brevity, flow, and scannability with headings, lists, and strong verbs.

This one-day course equips federal professionals with techniques to plan and produce effective written communication, including letters, emails, and briefing memos, using plain-language principles and DoD-aligned style guidelines.

• Understand the qualities of good correspondence as they apply to a 21st-century government environment.
• Identify and correct weaknesses and errors in correspondence documents, including email.
• Apply the priorities for effective correspondence using a systematic yet flexible writing process. Analyze the intent, purpose, and audience of correspondence-writing tasks.
• Apply techniques to overcome writer’s block, reduce stress, and efficiently complete correspondence-writing tasks.
• Prepare drafts through techniques for composition, including modifying templates and model documents.
• Compose drafts from mind maps, notes, and outlines.
• Revise documents for readability and tone.
• Assess whether documents meet the standards of the Plain Writing Act of 2010.
• Create, revise, and evaluate various types of correspondence documents.
• Understand the similarities and differences between paper-based documents and e-mail.
• Coordinate and conclude the document-drafting process; decide when a document is ready for release.
• Apply proofreading techniques for error-free correspondence.

• Use the seven traits and the writing process to improve written expression.
• Describe the process of critical thinking.
• Apply critical thinking in writing. Implement strategies for appealing to the reader.
• Identify opportunities to use logic in writing.
• Apply logic in creating persuasive arguments.
• Think critically to analyze problems.
• Create solutions to problems using a structured process

Learn to write and edit with accuracy and clarity through a structured approach to essential grammar, usage, and proofreading. This three-day course emphasizes correct sentence construction, punctuation, spelling, plain-language guidelines, and a repeatable editing process.

• Practice creating clear, correct sentences aligned with Plain Language principles.
• Review core grammar rules, including verb agreement, pronoun usage, and hidden verbs.
• Apply punctuation, capitalization, and spelling conventions accurately.
• Use a consistent editing workflow with proven tools and checklists.
• Identify and use authoritative writing resources and style guides.