Good written communication does not begin and end with dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. Nor is it solely about good grammar. It’s about connecting with an audience so that the reader responds in the manner you want.

Part of a writer’s effectiveness does come from the “nuts and bolts” of the writing -- good sentence structure, proper grammar, well-developed organization, and enough detail to convince the reader of the validity of the idea you're presenting.

Other parts are much more subjective, but they are perhaps even more important.  You have to know your audience -- its views and habits -- so you can speak to it directly. You have to take an active voice -- if you directly engage the readers in what you have to say, you make them more willing to follow your argument from beginning to end.  And you need to use the language and tone appropriate for your audience -- give respect where it's due, use clear and appropriate terminology, and choose words specifically crafted to maximize your argument and your idea.

In an effort to improve all forms of written communication, Certified Learning Centers has developed Effective Writing courses suitable for business, government, and military personnel.  Each course is tailored to the background and experience of the students, and it not only teaches the fundamentals of effective writing, but it also provides the practice and the organizational skills necessary for each student to expand beyond the basics and achieve greater results.