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Custom Training

Writing Congressional Correspondence
Intensive course designed for those who write congressional correspondence for their agency.

(This is a specialized version of our program, Writing for Government and Business: Critical Thinking and Writing: How to Compose Clear and Effective Reports, Letters and Memos.)

During this intensive course, your staff will review and improve their use of the three dimensions of professional writing: organization, format and style. In addition to reviewing and practicing specific writing techniques, they learn how to

  • Communicate in a professional environment
  • Determine the purpose of each written communication
  • Understand the 5-step writing process
  • Remember basic grammar and punctuation rules
  • Use the 4 keys to effective writing
  • Develop an effective writing style
More Information
Sample
Agenda
Audience
Level
Course
Materials
Fee Related
Training
Related Resources

Materials can include The Business Writer's Handbook and customized correspondence manuals and style guides. Also see our persuasive writing program.

  Custom Training Information

Sample Agenda
Day One: The Fundamentals

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

 

Day Two: Congressional Correspondence

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

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.
 

Audience Level This custom training program is designed for all staff who write congressional correspondence and need an introduction or refresher: it focuses on writing as a process and how to apply that process to writing congressional correspondence and everyday writing assignments.
 
Audience Size This program is most effective for between 20 and 40 attendees.
 
Previous Clients Variations of this program have been presented for numerous federal agencies.

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

Course Materials Materials can include your personal copy of The Business Writer's Handbook and government correspondence manuals and style guides.
 
Length and Location

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, and online.
 

Fee The fee for this program depends on the location, number of attendees, length, and training materials.  Call us for details, or complete our custom program information request for more information.  

Request More Information About this Custom Training Program

What is included in the fee? TheCapitol.Net tailors each program to meet your training and educational objectives. Before we issue a cost proposal, we will work with you to tailor a program to meet your training objectives. 

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 or online venue, audio visual equipment, food and beverage, registration, and travel arrangements, though this affects program cost.
 

FAQs See FAQs About Our Custom On-Site Training.
 
Payment Payment methods we accept for custom training include checks and EFT/ACH.
 
Related Custom Training
  • 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
     

About Us TheCapitol.Net, Inc., is a non-partisan small business, and a Virginia corporation.  We are registered with CCR / SAM. See our Capability Statement and our About Us page for more details.

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

Related Resources
  • 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
     

Need more information?
  • Phone: 202-678-1600

  • Email: custom -at- TheCapitol.Net

  • Complete our online custom program information request.

    Request More Information About this Custom Training Program

Non-Partisan TheCapitol.Net is a non-partisan firm, and the opinions of its faculty, authors, clients and the owners and operators of its vendors are their own and do not represent those of TheCapitol.Net. 
 

 

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URLs: www.TheCapitol.Net/CustomPrograms/write_cong.html
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Custom Training from TheCapitol.NetRequest More Information About this Custom Training Program

TheCapitol.Net is on the GSA Schedule, 874-4, for custom on-site training, contract GS02F0192X
TheCapitol.Net, Inc.
Contract GS02F0192X

Custom Training, On-Site or Online

All custom training from TheCapitol.Net 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.



 

Rave Reviews

See what some of the attendees at our custom programs say about our custom training.

 

Faculty

Our faculty for this program all have more than 10 years of writing and editing experience.

 

Internal Marketing

To help you publicize and market a custom program to your organization's audience, we can provide printed materials and language for your own internal promotion and publicity.

 

Our Clients

Congressional Offices

Federal Agencies

Military

NGOs and Nonprofits

Diplomatic Corps

Fortune 500

Law Firms

Lobbying Firms

Labor Unions

Associations

 

 

 

 
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