ADVOCACY ESSENTIALS • MODULE 1

Communication Basics

Plain-language advocacy: how to write, record and summarise evidence so schools and services can act.

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What you'll learn

  • How to use plain language so decision-makers understand the issue quickly
  • How to prepare a one-page evidence summary that planners and school staff will read
  • Record-keeping best-practices: what to capture and how to store it
  • Simple scripts for opening conversations and clarifying misunderstandings

Why plain language matters

Decisionmakers are busy. Concise, factual language that links a problem to a specific daily impact and a suggested support increases the chance of action.

One-page evidence summary (template)

Cover sheet — Evidence Summary Participant: [name] — ID: [if applicable] Date: [date] 1. Requested change (one sentence) 2. Why (3 bullets — functional impact) 3. Key evidence (file name — one line why it matters) 4. Suggested supports & expected impact 5. Contact details

Quick scripts

Opening (email):
"I am contacting you to request a short meeting to review [issue]. I have attached a one-page summary and the key evidence. Could we meet on [dates]?"

Clarifying (in meeting):
"Can I check I understood this correctly — you are saying [short paraphrase]? The evidence I have says [one-line]."

Activity — Create your 60-second summary

Write one clear, 1–2 sentence summary that captures the impact and the support you want. Practice saying it aloud.

Ready for Module 2?

Module 2 covers meeting strategies — how to prepare, run the agenda and get the most impact with time-limited meetings.

Continue to Module 2 →