Government Writing

• Writing for the Government
  
• Letters to Government Officials
  
• Grant and Contract Proposals
• Public Relations Materials
• Legal Writing

Writing for the Government

Plain Language: Improving Communications from the Federal Government to the Public (Interagency Committee on Government Information)

 Resources for producing government documents written in plain, clear, easy-to-understand language.

The Characteristics of Good Government Writing (Susan Doyle – University of Victoria)

 General principles of writing provided for those who work for government, either as communications professionals or content specialists.

U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual (GPO Access)

 Designed to achieve uniform word and type treatment and economy of word use in the writing and printing of U.S. government publications.

Word Division: Supplement to United States Government Printing Office Style Manual (GPO)
Located in Government Documents Department, Call Number GP 1.23/4:ST 9/SUPP.987

This is a quick reference for dividing words into syllables, as well as a spelling and pronunciation guide.

Letters to Government Officials

How to Write a Letter to Your Legislator (UNT Libraries)

 Tips on writing to a state legislator or U.S. congressperson. Adapted from an article published by the American Library Association.

Your Right to Write (University of Arizona Library)

Reprint of an article by Representative Morris K. Udall, giving tips on how to write a letter to your congressman.

Writing a Letter to the British Government (BBC)

Tips on the most effective way to write a political letter to a British agency or official to express an opinion or urge a particular course of action.

Grant and Contract Proposals

 Proposal Writing Web Sites (University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries)

Links to numerous Web sites that provide advice on how to write proposals seeking grants or contracts from government agencies and private sources.

Proposal Writing for Government Contracting (FedMarket.com)

Tips on how to outline a proposal, how to put together a proposal writing library to draw information from, how to develop a template, how to write the proposal, and what to avoid.

What's in a Typical Federal Government RFP? (captureplanning.com)

The format for a Request for Proposal (RFP) from a federal government agency is mandated by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). They are typically broken down into sections that are identified by letter. This article explains what is contained in each section.

Public Relations Materials

A Responsible Press Office: An Insider’s Guide (U.S. Department of State)

Advice on how to run an effective public relations operation.

How to Write a Great Press Release: A Sample Press Release Template (Stoller and Bard Communications)

Step by step instructions on how to use a press release, what information to include in it, and how to format it. Includes a template and numerous sample press releases.

Legal Writing

Researching and Writing About the Law (UNT Libraries)

Instructions and advice for conducting legal research and for writing legal research papers or case briefs, or drafting legal documents.

Citing Legal Materials/Legal Style Manuals (UNT Libraries)

Information on how to cite legal materials such as statutes, court opinions, and law reviews, and information on how to draft legal documents and how to write about the law.