{"id":892,"date":"2025-12-12T15:47:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T15:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/?page_id=892"},"modified":"2025-12-12T20:34:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T20:34:11","slug":"getting-started","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/resources\/communication-strategies\/getting-started\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-892\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-892-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div id=\"how\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-892-0\" ><div id=\"pgc-892-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-892-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h1 class=\"widget-title\">Getting Started<\/h1>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>The best place to start is with documents and communication that already exist at your business. Some examples include<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>contracts (employees and customers)<\/li>\n<li>policies and procedures<\/li>\n<li>job postings<\/li>\n<li>signs\/posters<\/li>\n<li>flyers and advertisements<\/li>\n<li>task lists<\/li>\n<li>schedules<\/li>\n<li>receipts<\/li>\n<li>email and other digital communication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Check out the resources in this section to see the difference Clear Writing can make to readability. We\u2019ve included a PDF called Before and After Clear Writing which is an example of the power of Clear Writing.<\/p>\n<p>Would you like to have your existing documents reviewed for Clear Writing? You can contact your local Learning Network to ask them for a quote on doing a clear writing audit. You can find a recognized Clear Writing service provider near you here.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re editing an existing document or creating a new one, you can use the Clear Writing Checklist. The checklist has 3 categories including<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>language and tone<\/li>\n<li>organization<\/li>\n<li>layout and design<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each category is intended to help you create a document that not only reads clearly but is also visually accessible.<\/p>\n<p>Clear Writing follows the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). It focuses on creating documents and communications that can be accessed by accessibility devices, such as screen readers.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s very likely that these documents already exist in your workplace. To build clear communication at your workplace, you may want to assess existing documents for clear writing. Here are some quick and easy strategies you can use to write more clearly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-892-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h1 class=\"widget-title\">Clear Writing Guidelines<\/h1>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>If you\u2019d prefer to create your own documents using clear writing principles, you can follow the guidelines below to assist you. We\u2019ve included a Guidelines Checklist PDF for you to download in the resources for this section.<\/p>\n<h3>1) Language and Tone<\/h3>\n<p>Write directly to your reader (use the 2nd person like you\/your, we\/our).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> Applicants are encouraged to contact the agency for further information.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> Please call us if you have any questions.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid using acronyms.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> PPE is required.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid jargon and explain words in their context.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> Every season, your sprayer should be calibrated.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> Every season you should calibrate your sprayer. Do this by measuring the output of each nozzle. This will make sure that each one is putting out the same amount of spray.<\/p>\n<p>Use the active voice \u2013 the subject does the action.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> The task should be completed by Friday.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> Complete the task by Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Use a positive tone.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> If you haven\u2019t glanced over the new policies, you may want to do so to be aware of some new changes and additions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> Read the new policy for changes and additions we\u2019ve made.<\/p>\n<h3>2) Organization<\/h3>\n<p>Use bullet points to pull out key information.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> Qualifications include grade 12 diploma or equivalent, bachelor\u2019s degree or 2-3 year college program, successful completion of an apprenticeship program and a valid driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> Qualifications include<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>grade 12 diploma or equivalent<\/li>\n<li>bachelor\u2019s degree or 2-3 year college program<\/li>\n<li>successful completion of an apprenticeship program<\/li>\n<li>valid driver\u2019s license<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Write sentences that are short and simple (15 words max).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> A viable agricultural base strengthens the rural community and likewise, agriculture benefits from close ties to the community, business, education, social and recreation facilities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> A strong agricultural base strengthens the rural community. Agriculture benefits from close ties to community, business, education, social and recreation facilities.<\/p>\n<p>Get to the point \u2013 start with your main point, then explain details.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> On February 1, 2023 you wrote your exam. To pass you need at least 70% on each individual test. Your scores for each subject area were over 70%. Congratulations \u2013 you passed your test.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> Congratulations \u2013 you passed your test! On February 1, 2023 you wrote your exam. To pass you need at least 70% on each individual test. Your scores for each subject area were over 70%.<\/p>\n<p>Write instructions in the order they need to be done.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> Clock out after you finish your task.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> Finish your task, then clock out.<\/p>\n<p>Use headings that summarize the text your reader is about to read.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Original<\/strong> \"Attention!\"<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Better<\/strong> \"Information on New Government Grants\"<\/p>\n<h3>3) Layout and Design<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>use bold or larger text to highlight information \u2013 avoid italics, underlining, shading and using all uppercase letters<\/li>\n<li>use a font that is clear and easy to read<\/li>\n<li>left justify the body of the document<\/li>\n<li>make sure that there is enough contrast between text colour and the background<\/li>\n<li>if printing material, use matte or low-gloss paper (high gloss can be difficult to read because it creates a glare)<\/li>\n<li>use appropriate graphics \u2013 make sure the graphics are relevant to the text, don\u2019t put text on top of graphics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-892-0-0-2\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div class=\"rcard-row\">\n\t\n<div class=\"rcard\"><a class=\"rcard-link\" href=\"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-content\/themes\/suas\/sections\/writing\/ClearWritingBeforeAfter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\nClear Writing Before & After\n<\/a><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"rcard\"><a class=\"rcard-link\" href=\"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-content\/themes\/suas\/sections\/writing\/Clear_Writing_Checklist.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\nClear Writing Checklist\n<\/a><\/div>\n\t\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The best place to start is with documents and communication that already exist at your business. Some examples include contracts (employees and customers) policies and procedures job postings signs\/posters flyers and advertisements task lists schedules receipts email and other digital communication Check out the resources in this section to see the difference Clear Writing can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":82,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"suas-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-892","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=892"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":953,"href":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/892\/revisions\/953"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/82"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apprenticeshiphub.ca\/project25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}