Writing Well for Decisions
Master the art of clear, compelling writing that helps decision makers understand complex issues and choose the best path forward. In partnership with FrankCapability.
Course overview
This course teaches you how to write to genuinely help decision makers navigate complex issues. You’ll develop the complete set of skills needed to communicate clearly and persuasively.
This course is busy professionals looking to develop the skills to write rigorous, compelling and useful advice to support better decisions.
In partnership with
What you'll learn
By attending this course, you will learn how to:
- understand your audience – who they are, what they need, and how to structure your writing to meet them where they are.
- identify the essential elements of your story and plan effectively
- clear outlines that keep your writing focused
- apply plain language principles that make complex ideas accessible.
- simplify real examples, practising techniques that transform dense text into clear, readable advice.
- use AI tools wisely – understanding both their potential to improve your writing and their limitations.
You’ll finish the course with a reliable approach for crafting writing that not only informs but supports better decisions.
Course modules
Module 1: essential content
Learn how to curate the essential elements of your writing, tailored to your audience.
- Understand your audience and what their context means for how you structure your story.
- Learn the fundamentals of narrative.
- Know the purpose and the shape of your narrative.
- Be aware of some of the pitfalls of using the narrative approach.
- Identify the essential elements of your narrative.
Module 2: paper structure
Learn how to get your story straight through a summary paragraph, content subheadings and structured paragraphs.
- Learn and practise an approach to planning your story before you start writing it.
- Establish a clear outline and use it as a framework to help keep your story concise.
- Learn a method for ensuring your writing has sufficient detail to give readers what they need, but not more.
Module 3: plain language
Learn the fundamentals of good writing: concise sentences and plain language
- Know some basic principles of plain language: common words, short and simple sentence constructions, active tense, consistent terminology.
- Learn how to improve language to make it easier to understand.
- Practise simplifying examples of language to make it easier to understand.
- Appreciate the value that AI can offer for improving writing, and the limitations.
Further Information
Format
This practical and engaging facilitator-led, live learning session is delivered either in-person in one day or online in three two-hour sessions. Learners can ask questions, share experiences and work through real challenges together. We provide all the supporting resources needed.
Upcoming Courses & Delivery Options
20 May 2026 | Wellington
Duration:
$NZD 950
excl. GST
09 Jun 2026 | Online
Duration:
$NZD 895
excl. GST
27 Aug 2026 | Wellington
Duration:
$NZD 950
excl. GST
08 Sep 2026 | Online
Duration:
$NZD 895
excl. GST
22 Oct 2026 | Wellington
Duration:
$NZD 950
excl. GST
11 Nov 2026 | Online
Duration:
$NZD 895
excl. GST
Can’t make these dates or want a private course?
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