Effective planning documents incorporate a number of elements such as clear vision and goals, implementable action steps, and community support. Plans that do not include these elements are often difficult to implement or fail to achieve their goals. Similarly, clear professional writing requires writers to clearly address five key elements: audience, purpose, content, tone, and style. Writing that is ineffective often has missed the mark on one or more of those elements.
The lessons of professional writing can be applied by planners to craft better, more implementable plans. This session will present strategies based on the five elements of professional writing that will result in improved planning documents. Careful consideration of audience and purpose can provide focus so that a plan contains targeted action steps. Evaluating the right content can help provide direction in analyzing alternatives. Attention to style can ensure that plans last through the plan horizon.
This session will be presented by a planner who teaches professional writing and provides lessons for student planners on addressing these five elements of professional writing. This session will challenge planners to integrate these elements in their professional practice by providing real world examples.
