The art of clear and impactful EU writing
For more than seven years, I’ve worked as a graphic designer on various EU-funded projects, fine-tuning dissemination materials to ensure clarity, accessibility, and effectiveness. Through this experience, I’ve gathered key best practices that can help authors navigate the intricate process of creating EU publications. Below, you’ll find a collection of tools, tips, and reminders to make your writing process efficient and results-driven.
Planning your EU publication
Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), take a moment to reflect:
What’s the purpose of your publication?
Who is your audience?
How do you want them to feel?
What’s the single most important takeaway?
Kick off your project with a brainstorming session. Define the key message, set a realistic timeline, and map out content development, including drafts, revisions, and final approvals.
Structuring and writing your content
Writing for an EU audience means balancing technical accuracy with readability.
Here’s how:
1. Research & framing the problem
Before drafting, dig deep into your topic from multiple angles.
Ensure your work aligns with project objectives and EU priorities.
2. Clarity & structure
Keep your writing crisp and structured:
Use short sentences and paragraphs.
Prioritize active voice.
Replace jargon with clear explanations.
Organize content with bullet points for easy scanning.
Use British English, avoiding Euro-English phrases.
3. Readability & engagement
Ask yourself:
Would a colleague unfamiliar with the topic understand this?
Is the language simple and accessible?
Are instructions clear?
Reviewing and refining your work
Every EU publication undergoes multiple reviews to ensure accuracy and coherence:
1. Peer reviews & domain experts
Select reviewers with expertise relevant to your topic.
If your publication crosses disciplines, engage multiple experts.
2. Proofreading & quality checks
Before submission:
Self-review your document page by page.
Ensure it meets GDPR compliance.
Cross-check footnotes and citations.
Perform a spell check in British English.
Design and finalisation
Graphic designers play a key role in EU publications, ensuring:
Visual clarity: Legible fonts, clear tables, and structured layouts.
Compliance: Adherence to EU visual identity guidelines.
Accessibility: Inclusion of alt text for images, if applicable.
Publishing & beyond
Once the content is refined, the approval process follows:
Final proofreading and formatting
Review and correction of proofs
Submission for approval
Publication and promotion across EU channels
Every step in this process ensures that your publication is clear, impactful, and aligned with EU standards.
By focusing on structure, clarity, and thoughtful planning, you’ll craft materials that engage readers and drive meaningful outcomes.
Let’s write with care!
