

Writing for Instructional Design and Training Certificate
Improve the quality of your learning programs through clear, engaging writing.
Master the art of writing clear, engaging, and credible content for your instructional design, e-learning, and training projects.
Like most instructional designers and developers, you probably spend about 80 percent of your working hours writing; so it’s important that your writing is persuasive to gain buy-in from stakeholders, crystal clear to ensure understanding, and engaging to aid learning transfer. This writing style is an art,and having these skills can give you a competitive advantage as your career grows.
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Like most instructional designers and developers, you probably spend about 80 percent of your working hours writing; so it’s important that your writing is persuasive to gain buy-in from stakeholders, crystal clear to ensure understanding, and engaging to aid learning transfer. This writing style is an art,and having these skills can give you a competitive advantage as your career grows.
Discover how to use rhetorical writing techniques to articulate desired training outcomes when you earn this instructional design writing certificate. Learn through hands-on practice how to write to clarify, simplify, illuminate, and explain. Find out how to use tone, point of view, and personality to keep your audience actively engaged.
Why You Should Attend:
- Develop effective writing techniques so you produce content faster and improve your learning programs.
- Learn to tailor your writing to the appropriate modality, format, and audience.
- Master editing to clarify your message and reduce cognitive load.
- Apply persuasive writing techniques when creating needs assessment reports and design documents that effectively articulate your training solution.
- Prepare well-written workbooks, manuals, job aids, slide decks, and e-learning courses that reduce cognitive load, positively influence learning transference, and serve as on-the-job resources.
- Edit your writing to be clearer and more concise.
- Effectively organize your reports, materials, and curriculums.
- Write precise instructions for individual and group activities so they engage your participants.
- Create training materials with easy-to-understand visuals that effectively support the written message and lead to greater learning retention.
Better Writing Makes Better Learning
In the current landscape of compressed language—text messaging replacing emails, emojis replacing text messages—it has become a guessing game to navigate the minefield of contemporary communication...
Writing for Instructional Design Certificate—Karin Rex
Our facilitator, Karin Rex discusses about Writing for Instructional Design Certificate.
Writing for Instructional Design and Training Certificate
Download the brochure to learn everything you need to know about this course.
Tools of Persuasion
Persuasion and Design Documents
Using Persuasion in Participant Materials
Writing for Learning: Style
Cognitive Load Theory Activity
Writing for Learning: Style
Writing for Learning: Clarity
Writing for Learning: Parallel Structure
Writing for Learning: Sentence and Paragraph Length
Writing for Learning: Writing for Onscreen Reading
Structuring Content to Reduce Cognitive Load
Outlining and Mind Mapping
Organizing Content
Designing Engagement Into Your Course
Putting the Active in Activities
Writing Effective Engagement Opportunities
Writing Successful Step-by-Step Instructions
Writing for a Global Audience
Using Visuals in Instructions
Guidelines for Managing Cognitive Load in Instructions
Writing Instructions Checklist
The Art of Self-Editing
Cognitive Load and Memory
Memory Elements for Visuals
5 Composition Elements for Visuals
Using Infographics in Learning
This program is ideal for professionals who are responsible for developing learning programs and want to improve their writing and content organization skills.
ATD Education programs are designed primarily for learning professionals—trainers, instructional designers, and organizational development practitioners—but also greatly benefit anyone within an organization who is responsible for developing others, from managers to human resources specialists.

"Not only was it teaching me how to be more effective in my writing, the resources for me to practice and continue with my development afterwards are astounding. I have what I learned and a cadre of other sources to use as I continue to grow."

"This program was not easy, but it was the most rewarding class I've ever taken. I completed the class almost 5 months ago and use what I learned on almost a daily basis in my job. Excellent course."
"I was hesitant to take the online course as I have always felt in-person training is more beneficial for me. I was completely wrong! This was one of the most impactful courses I have taken to date and has provided me with the tools and knowledge that I can apply day-to-day."
Things to Know
ATTENDANCE
For full-day face-to-face and live online programs, participation in all originally scheduled days of the program, including both face-to-face and live online formats, is mandatory in order to receive the certificate of completion and CEUs. Participants who miss more than two hours of the entire program will not be eligible to receive the certificate. Participants who fulfill the attendance requirement will receive a certificate at the end of the program.
For multi-week, live online programs with five or more sessions, one missed live session can be made up by listening to the session recording in full. Participants who miss more than one live session will not be eligible to receive the certificate. To be marked complete for that one session, please email [email protected]. For programs with four or fewer sessions, attendance at all live sessions is required to receive a certificate. All sessions will be recorded and available for participants to review throughout the program for your reference.
ATD requires active participation throughout the program to receive credit. Active participation in live online sessions includes, but is not limited to, participating in virtual classroom activities, discussions, breakout sessions, and intersession work. Please note that using a tablet or mobile device significantly limits your ability to fully and actively participate.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, a certificate will be issued to you through the ATD Learning Platform at the end of the program.
CREDITS
14.0 learning hours
1.4 CEUs awarded
This program is eligible for 14.0 professional development hours or recertification points from the ATD Certification Institute (ATD CI) for the APTD or CPTD credential.
This program has been approved for 14.0 (General) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute.
This program is valid for 14.0 PDCs for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit shrm.org/certification.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
A laptop computer with Wi-Fi capability is required for both face-to-face and online programs. Please do not bring mobile devices (phones, tablets, etc.) in lieu of a laptop. There will be no computers available on-site for participants. Note: You might not have an optimal experience if you are using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge to access your courses. Chrome is the recommended browser.
ATD LEARNING PORTAL
Enrolled in a program? Sign in to the ATD Learning Portal with your ATD account credentials two weeks before the first day of class to:
- Engage with your facilitator and peers.
- Access pre-work assignments.
- View any technical requirements.
- Review logistical information.
TRANSFERS/CANCELLATIONS
Click here to review our cancellation policy.
ATD HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
View our health protocols for in-person courses.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have additional questions about ATD courses? Visit our FAQs for answers.