The 6 best writing tips Apolitical members have ever received

We asked members of Apolitical’s Writing Effectively in Government community to share their most valued writing advice — tips that have shaped how they communicate with impact. Here's a curated collection of their best insights:

1. Lead with the ask

Several members emphasised putting the key request or decision upfront, even in the subject line. One described a strategy of using the first few lines for a topic sentence, an action or decision request, and a deadline. Supporting context follows. This format respects busy inboxes and ensures action items don’t get buried.

2. Write for the reader

A recurring theme was empathy for the reader. One member succinctly advised: “Imagine a tired, end-of-day reader!” Others stressed writing with simplicity, especially when content might be translated, or for diverse audiences. Another guideline: aim for a Grade 8 reading level or below.

3. Every word must earn its place

A love of language can sometimes work against clarity. One contributor shared how they combat verbosity: “Every word must earn its place. It’s about prioritising the reader’s needs over your own.” It’s not about how much you say, but how effectively you say it.

4. Make it easy to absorb

Short sentences, subheadings, bullet points, and visual elements all help create a digestible structure. When text is scannable, readers are more likely to engage and respond as intended.

5. Tailor to your audience

A few members reminded us that writing isn’t one-size-fits-all. They advocated for radically adjusting tone, content, or structure depending on the target audience — whether it's internal stakeholders, the public or senior officials.

6. Use tools to help you write

Some practical tools came up too — like using voice readers to catch awkward phrasing, or word count limits (like 75 words for an email) to encourage conciseness. One user even referenced military-style brevity for prioritising urgent communications in a high-volume inbox.

See what else members are saying

These tips remind us that good writing isn’t about flair — it’s about clarity, purpose and respect for your reader’s time and attention. Want to apply them? Start by editing your next message with a tired reader in mind. Then, let us know how you got on by sharing a post in the Writing Effectively in Government community!