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
Proven Methods,
Unrivaled Impact
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 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 his live trainings, e-learning series, and published works.
The New Science of Scientific Writing
George introduced the concepts behind his Reader Expectation Approach in “The Science of Scientific Writing” (1990), which has become American Scientist’s second-most-viewed online article.
His updated and greatly expanded book version, The New Science of Scientific Writing: Using Reader Expectations to Transform Scientific Communication, is now available in English from Anthem Press, with 17 translations scheduled over the coming year.
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?
Trusted by over 200 leading organizations
Representing tens of thousands of professionals trained worldwide
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
Can you afford to be misunderstood?
One of the most valuable twelve hours I have ever spent.
Nell Beatty Cant
Associate Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology and 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
Department Chair of Population Sciences at City of Hope Cancer Center
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.
I am a professional writer by default — and [Gopen’s] training has changed my approach to writing, forever.
Adam Bailis
Associate Dean of Research from 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.
Katharine Bartlett
A. Kenneth Pye Professor and 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
Assistant Professor at 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.
Stephen P. Bogdewic
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.
Anna Mukamal
Associate Professor in the Department of English at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Start with a conversation
