Develop your written communication skills at work as you learn how to write plain, effective English using the ‘JASPER’ technique.
5,048 enrolled on this course

Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
2 hoursLanguages
English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano100% online
How it works
Foundations of Writing
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Improve your writing skills with ‘JASPER’
From writing emails to meeting notes and reports, there are many work contexts that require basic written communication skills.
On this two-week course, you’ll improve your writing skills using the mnemonic ‘JASPER’ – the six fundamental aspects of clear writing:
- Jargon: how to recognise it in your own writing, and the importance of removing it for effective communication
- Acronyms: the importance of spelling them out
- Short sentences and short paragraphs: conveying meaning in chunks for maximum understanding
- Plain English: avoiding ‘flowery’ and unclear language
- Editors: how to use other people and software tools to review your work
- Readers: the need to keep the reader in mind at all times.
Through practical exercises, you’ll finish the course with a checklist and toolkit to ensure your written communication is clear, concise and effective.
Learn crucial tips to develop your writing skills
You’ll be guided through the writing techniques of ‘JASPER’ to help you improve any written work you produce.
From removing corporate jargon for clarity to breaking down long sentences for readability, you’ll gain a solid understanding of the benefits of clear writing.
Explore editing tools to help you write in plain English
With an understanding of writing techniques, you’ll explore editing tools to help hone your writing skills further.
You’ll discover editing software and web-based apps that will become a crucial part of your writing toolkit.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introducing JASPER
Introductions
An introduction to the JASPER checklist as a helpful way of improving your written English.
Jargon: "Six Hydrocoptic Marzlevanes"
Getting rid of the jargon is easier said than done.
Acronyms: TLAs are NSFW
Make sure you explain acronyms.
Short: Sentences and Paragraphs
Keep the sentences and paragraphs short.
Reflections on Week 1
Your reflections and feedback, and a chance to check your understanding.
Week 2
Moving ahead with JASPER
Welcome to Week 2
A quick recap on Jargon, Acronyms and Short sentences and paragraphs - and looking ahead to Week 2.
Plain English: not grandiloquent phraseology
How to keep it plain and understandable.
Editors: a helping hand
Exploring the need for fresh eyes to help you edit a text.
Readers: step into their shoes
Why readers are the ultimate customers.
Reflections and Further Resources
Final activity.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify common barriers to communication in written texts
- Practise improving short texts
- Discuss the best ways of improving the texts you produce
- Develop your ability to write plain, effective English in a work context
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone with a professional need to use written English.
It is suitable for both native and non-native English speakers.
Who will you learn with?
Hi, I'm Jonathan, Head of Universal Skills and Learning (Cabinet Office). I've been an L&D professional for 20 years, with 5 years as Head of Learning for the FCO Diplomatic Academy.
Who developed the course?
Government Digital and Data
Government Digital and Data is now live on FutureLearn, in partnership with the Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Together, we’re helping build the right conditions for digital, data and technology transformation across government — working closely with departments and functions such as commercial, project delivery and security.
| Best ValueBest Value - learn more, save more! | |||
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Start learning today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $54/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Try this course - with limits | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 2 weeks |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Start learning today
Free
Try this course - with limits
- Limited to 2 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Learner reviews
Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
You can use the hashtag #JASPER to talk about this course on social media.
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Language and Business & Management