Virtual event
How to Adapt Your Writing for Any Audience
Exclusively for public servants and policymakers
Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026
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At this event, you’ll:
- Learn how to tailor your writing to different audiences and contexts
- Discover strategies for adjusting tone, structure and language to improve impact
- Understand what your audience needs and how to meet it through writing
Speakers
A senior leader needs the headline and key messaging, distilled into three lines. A colleague needs the same content but with enough context to act on it. A wider audience needs something that doesn't read like policy at all.
Every reader brings a different level of time, context and interest to what you write. Adapting for that is a skill you can build. This event shows you how to read your audience and shape your writing to meet them where they are.
Hear from communicators who've faced this pressure directly: defending terminology choices to leadership, adapting a message across multiple audiences and using evidence to shift entrenched views.
Who should join:
Any public servant or policymaker who wants to write for different audiences with more confidence.
Join the Writing Effectively in Government Community
The Writing Effectively in Government Community is a community of practice where you can share advice, insights and resources on government writing with peers across the global public service.
This event will take place on Zoom. Joining instructions will be displayed once you register. The event will be recorded and the recording will be sent to all registrants. The recording will also be made available on Apolitical's platform for other members of our community to enjoy. We may also generate insights about our community members by uploading the recording to HeyMarvin, an AI-powered qualitative research tool. If you would prefer not to join the call live, you may view the recording on the platform after the event.
Interested in how Apolitical can support you and your organisation? Learn about collaborating with us.
Image Credit: ChatGPT
Speakers
Lukas Hardonk
Senior Communications Advisor at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Canada
Michelle Parks
Executive Director of Communications, Department of General Services, State of Tennessee
USA
Lukas Hardonk, a Senior Communications Advisor at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, where he leads public environment analysis to shape strategies that build trust and meet the diverse information needs of the public in Canada. With over a decade of experience in communications across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, Lukas focuses on making complex information accessible and turning data-driven insights into clear, impactful communications that foster meaningful dialogue and connection.
Michelle Parks, Executive Director of Communications for the Tennessee Department of General Services, where she leads strategic communications across executive messaging, digital strategy, media relations, brand management and public outreach. With more than 30 years of experience across government, nonprofits, publishing, music and private industry, she specialises in adapting messages for diverse audiences. She has spoken at the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference and is a graduate of the Tennessee Government Executive Institute and LEAD Tennessee Alliance.
