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Getting started
Congratulations on choosing ClearWriter! Our
writing tools, training, and resources will help you write
better and faster—and help you define and achieve your
purpose in writing. Before you begin, view a demo.
Training
Tools
Writing resources
Tip of the week
Getting help
Training
ClearWriter offers a rich selection of planning, drafting,
writing, editing, and stylistic techniques that can immediately
improve your writing.
Courses
We recommend that you start with Edit yourself, then
move on to Stunning sentences, Powerful paragraphs,
and Riveting reports. But feel free to choose the
order that best meets your needs. ClearWriter Desktop
summaries (available in PDF) highlight the main concepts
presented in each of the four areas of focus.
To get to the courses, click on the link for
Training. A new window will pop up. Click on the link for
the area of focus you want to start with. Each course contains
several lessons. Most lessons begin by explaining a technique
and providing examples. The examples are followed by exercises.
Complete the first exercise, and then click on the "Next"
button. A new window will pop up with the recommended solution
for the exercise. Click on the "Next" button on
the solution window to move on to the next exercise.
ClearWriter will track your progress as you
complete the exercises. You can check which exercises you
have completed by clicking on the link for "Your progress."
1. Edit
yourself teaches editing techniques that polish
your existing work. It also teaches basic building blocks
for good writing.
- Trim fat.
- Choose better words.
- Make pronoun references clear.
- Make long sentences shorter.
- Use the active voice.
2. Stunning
sentences will jump-start your imagination and give
your writing flair.
- Learn to recognize common sentence forms.
- Deftly connect the parts of sentences.
- Make elegant repetitions.
- Use dramatic flourishes.
3. Powerful
paragraphs teaches you how to write coherent, engaging
paragraphs.
- Unify each paragraph around the point.
- Bind sentences in a linear flow.
- Make your points in compelling ways.
- Link your paragraphs.
4. Riveting
reports teaches you to how to plan your report for
quick and effective writing.
- Figure out what you're writing and for
whom.
- Spell out your main and supporting messages
and pick a ClearPlan.
- Draft your report.
- Tape your draft on a wall to apply finishing
touches.
ClearPlans helps plan
the structure of your report. Pick the plan best suited
to your topic, audience, and purpose. You will write faster
and require fewer revisions when you start with a clear
structure.
Organization and navigation
ClearWriter will guide you through techniques and exercises
until you complete each course. You do not have to complete
a course in one sitting. If you stop and want to come back,
click "Continue where you left off" on the Writer's homepage.
The courses present a menu of lessons on a
navigation bar on the left side of your screen. These lessons
are supported by a list of techniques, followed by 1–3
exercises. After you complete an exercise, press "Next"
and a solution will pop up. You are free to review any technique
or exercise or navigate to any part of the course at any
time.
The icons at the bottom of the left navigation
bar on each page allow you to close the course window and
log out, review frequently asked questions,
access a glossary of
grammar terms and an explanation of the editing
marks used in the exercise solutions, and display information
on your progress.
Expect to spend about 12–15 hours to
complete all four courses. We suggest budgeting at least
an hour a day to work on ClearWriter.
ClearWriter training includes learner support
by email. Complete the learner
support form for help.
Tools
ClearWriter tools help you improve your writing immediately.
ClearTips.
ClearTips provides immediate answers to nearly all your
writing questions, such as:
- How can I make smooth transitions between
my paragraphs?
- How do I create strong links between my
sentences?
- That or which?
- Compare with or compare to?
- Should I use the passive voice in this
situation?
- When can I start a sentence with It?
Indexed and searchable by keyword, ClearTips
covers all stages of writing from structure to delivery.
ClearPlans.
To make writing easier, use ClearPlans to outline common
structures of rhetoric. First determine your topic, audience,
and purpose for writing. Then determine which ClearPlan
structure best meets your needs. Use the ClearPlan to develop
a plan for a 1-page memo, letter, or email; for a 5-page
briefing; or for a 15-page report. Depending on the length
of your piece, you can use the plan to map the sentences
of your paragraphs, the paragraphs of your sections, or
the sections of your report.
Writing resources
Content summaries.
Content summaries (available in PDF) highlight the main
concepts presented in each course.
Style
sheets. There is often more than one correct way
to use, spell, and punctuate words—consistency is the
key. See our sample style sheet, then create your own.
Links.
Our guide to online resources gives you everything a writer
might need, including links to a dictionary, thesaurus,
encyclopedia, and sites with proofreading marks, grammar
guides, and useful writing tips and tricks.
Tip of the week
Every week we will bring you handy tips
and suggestions to make your writing easier to read, more
enjoyable, and more effective. You can also sign
up to have the tip emailed to you.
Getting help
Our frequently asked questions page
addresses all aspects of ClearWriter. If you can't find
an answer there, please contact us at info@clearwriter.com.
If you have technical trouble with the site,
please fill out our technical assistance
form or contact us at support@clearwriter.com.
If you have questions about the course material, please
fill out our learner
support form. For questions about the tools or other
ClearWriter resources, contact us at info@clearwriter.com.
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