I am a professional writer by default — and [Gopen’s] training
has changed my approach to writing, forever.
Now Available Wherever Books Are Sold: The New Science of Scientific Writing ● Click here for details ●Now Available Wherever Books Are Sold: The New Science of Scientific Writing ● Click here for details ●
Reaching The Reader’s Mind
Learn to use Reader Expectations and transform your expertise into writing that wins funding, cases, and decisions.
George David Gopen, J.D., Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of the Practice of Rhetoric at Duke University
Creator of the Reader Expectation Approach to Writing in the English Language
Writing Consultant • Author • Educator
“Dear George — With admiration and gratitude. I thought of your work with every sentence I wrote here.”
— Alan Alda (referring to his own book If I Understood You Would I have This Look On My Face?)
Proven Methods, Unrivaled Impact
Over nearly four decades, Dr. George David Gopen has trained tens of thousands of professionals in his Reader Expectation Approach (REA), transforming their written communications by teaching them how readers actually read.
Research confirms that readers look for critical information in specific locations within English sentences and paragraphs. Misalignment between writer placement and reader expectation is a primary cause of miscommunication. George teaches writers how to fulfill these remarkably fixed reader expectations through on-site seminars and workshops, an e-learning series, and numerous published works on writing from the reader’s perspective.
George introduced the concepts behind his approach in “The Science of Scientific Writing” (1990), which has become American Scientist’s second-most-viewed online article. His expanded book version, The New Science of Scientific Writing, is now available in English from Anthem Press, with 17 language translations appearing in the coming year.
“My very dear brother George is one of the most masterful teachers, erudite scholars and decent human beings I have ever encountered in the Academy!”
— Dr. Cornel West (Author of Race Matters and Democracy Matters)
Trusted By Over 200 Leading Organizations
Representing tens of thousands of professionals trained worldwide
Research Institutions
Communicate complex research clearly to increase grant funding and publication.
Law Firms
Strengthen briefs and documents to be precise and persuasive.
Businesses
Produce documents that build consumer confidence and make it easier to audit decisions.
“One of the most valuable twelve hours I have ever spent.”
— Nell Beatty Cant, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology, Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
Professional Development Programs
Customized for Your Goals
“George gave me my life, my career, my future. He gave me my dreams. I owe him everything.”
— Victoria Seewaldt, MD, Department Chair, Population Sciences, City of Hope Cancer Center
— Adam Bailis, PhD
Associate Dean of Research
Jefferson College of Health Professions at Thomas Jefferson University
Jefferson College of Health Professions at Thomas Jefferson University
The two days spent in [Gopen’s] Writing Seminar were among the
most profitable professional training days I have known.
most profitable professional training days I have known.
— Katherine Bartlett, JD
A. Kenneth Pye Professor Emerita of Law at Duke University Law School
[Gopen’s] approaches to clearly communicate the worth and value of
this science to my reviewers has been crucial to my success so far.
this science to my reviewers has been crucial to my success so far.
— Nandan Gokhale, PhD
Assistant Professor
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Scientific Writing From the Reader’s Perspective, taught by Professor George Gopen,
is the single most highly rated faculty development program offered at Indiana University.
is the single most highly rated faculty development program offered at Indiana University.
— Stephen P. Bogdewic, PhD, MA
Executive Vice Dean Emeritus at Indiana University
George Gopen is nothing less than a prophet leading writers to a promised land
free of obfuscated meaning and consequent misunderstanding.
free of obfuscated meaning and consequent misunderstanding.
— Anna Mukamal
Associate Professor, Department of English
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Discover why the Reader Expectation Approach is a great fit for your organization
Request a complimentary 20‑minute discovery call to fashion a training program for your team’s professional development or high-stakes project.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is The Reader Expectation Approach?
REA is a framework for writing more clearly and persuasively in English by explaining how readers use the placement of information within a piece of writing to interpret meaning and decide what matters. - What are reader expectations?
Reader expectations include finding answers to four questions in each sentence: Who’s story is it? What is happening? What information needs extra emphasis? How does this sentence link to its neighbors? - Who is the program for?
Universities and scientific research departments; governmental agencies and non-profits; corporations and businesses; law firms and legal departments; professional associations; leadership and graduate programs. - What happens during the discovery call?
We will discuss how our training options align with your organization’s training goals, schedule, and budget. - How is training typically delivered?
Instructor-led training delivered via a combination of live seminars and small-group workshops. An online e-learning series can also be accessed. A limited number of one‑on‑one consulting appointments are available.
Can you really afford to be misunderstood?
