Plain language would have helped clearly communicate the purpose to the public, so there would have been less confusion and mistrust. It’s not just about the words you choose, but your overall ability to. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. 54 MB, 34 pages) from Laura Rabuck’s 2022 Federal Plain Language Summit presentation. The state Department of Health’s Center for Public Affairs has developed resources to help you effectively. 6 . Additionally, Guiding Principles recommends the use of plain language principles along with the use of health equity concepts and the language necessary to accurately and equitably represent all people. gov. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various experts and organizations. The law requires that federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use. It saves people and government time and money and improves the accessibility of your content. View the Jargon Madness slides (PowerPoint presentation, 1. The first plain language regulation was a FCC regulation on operating ham radios. It is also called plain English or plain writing. Wednesday, August 24, 2022 10:30 AM – 3:45 PM ET. Plain language movements originated in the 1970s in several countries, including the UK, US and Canada. Federal Plain Language Guidelines. It’s not simplified language; it’s direct language that doesn’t contain any flair or fluff. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. The American public deserves plain language communication from its government, and it’s the law. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. In fact, legalese makes lawyers’ writings so incomprehensible that the US Congress regularly introduces ‘plain language’ Bills to regulate them. Do your research. Reference Oppenheimer, D. You may use any of the content on this site without. Language allows us to communicate our. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Actually, plain English is typically quite interesting to read. S. View these before and after examples to see how the National Archives is. WHAT IS PLAIN LANGUAGE? Plain language (also known as plain English) is a way of writing or presenting information so that readers can understand it quickly and easily. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. Legalese versus plain language by Peter Butt Legal English has traditionally been a special variety of English. Before and after plain language examples demonstrate how scientific documents can be translated into plain language. Resources. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. Write for the reader, not for yourself. Plain Language saves money, increases efficiency, and reduces the need for clarification. The Plain Language community is a group of government employees and contractors dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. Her parents think she recognizes a couple dozen signs. Accusatory use of you. The aim of a plain-language standard is to provide — for writers everywhere who are working on any type of document, from a letter to legislation — a tool with: The credibility of ISO, its 165 national-standards body members, and more than 22,500 standards. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. ”the Plain Language Movement, legal language, and rhetoric, and 3. In short, you should always aim for clarity, readability, and brevity. 10 Plain Language While there was a time when many business documents were written in the third person to give them the impression of objectivity, this formal style was often passive and wordy. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. If your customers don’t understand your documents, you may have to: Answer phone calls. Plain language strategy #1: We make shorter paragraphs. " The January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government also highlights the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Plain language can be useful in an academic setting. The Working Group appointed 3 luminaries and stalwarts. and compelling as any other type of language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (PWA) [2] and Executive Order 13,563 [3] require agencies to use plain language in various public-facing documents. Use summaries to present key information before going into detail. You achieve plain English when you use the simplest, most straightforward way of expressing an idea. Christian Miller said that, internally, the plain language description of ProPublica resonated. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. You may use any of the. But as these pages discuss, we still have a long. Some have endings such as -ment, -tion, -sion, and -ance or link. Following a successful presentation to STC Phoenix on Plain Language and Simplified Technical English, NAU Senior Lecturer Erika Konrad and alumna Karen Field Carroll joined TechWhirl for a Fast 5 discussion on what’s happening with these two global trends, and how they can impact tech comm and other content professionals. While plain language won’t solve every public health communication challenge, all health communications can be made more efective by communicating plainly. It offers. Content types. Join the national plain language movement. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. 2020-2021 Access for All: Plain Language is a Civil Right. 2 Crafting your materials with plain language principles. Rule begins with a useful overview that orients the reader to this complex but well-organized material. Plain English is clear, straightforward expression, using only as many words as are necessary. Style guides. Plain language writing—and speaking—will help you to get your message across clearly and concisely. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. Plain language is a communication that is clear, simple, and easy to understand. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both organizational compliance. This Plain Language Thesaurus has been put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing. [1] The Act applies to public service agencies and Crown agents. Words to avoid. Here are some examples of how using plain language can help clear up clarity problems caused by ambiguous wording. But plain language, which is often used interchangeably for plain English or plain writing, is not just best practice or common sense, it is also the law. Resources for using plain language. A common myth is that plain language is incompatible with teaching complex subjects. Plain language guidelines and tips. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. Apocrypha. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. Gains Momentum: 1940-2015,” Karen Schriver outlines the following: “Between 1940 and 1970, plain language focused mainly on readability. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. This book shows you how to write for customers and clients in language that's easy to understand. gov held two online workshops to explain how to write in plain language. They’re coming together to discuss the plain language and cultural components of effectively. It improves reading comprehension, accessibility, and ethical action. This is the 10th time the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly Report Card evaluating how well agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. gov. Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. Before You Start Writing. ”. Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. Published: 2004. the proper approach to legal writing. It helps readers access and use the content without confusion, frustration, or extra. 12866, E. The point is that the process is reversible. An old adage. We hope you enjoy this post. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. The public can contact CMS and send comments about our plain writing efforts via the . i. These summaries are intended for a broad and inclusive audience that encompasses. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. • Developed a Plain Language Matrix to document related tasks and steps to begin operationalizing our plain language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. Using plain language [3] helps agencies do this more. The resource Plain language online notes that a “crucial feature of plain language is testing the writing to determine whether it adequately conveys to the targeted reader the writer’s intentions. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. The materials are similar in both. Federal government. uses short sections and short sentences. In this course, you’ll learn the writing standards and practices outlined within the plain language field. Official description. Use lists to help your user focus on important material. While the Act does not cover regulations, three separate Executive Orders emphasize the need for plain language: E. American Sign Language. Test your assumptions. • Met with representatives from other agencies to discuss plain language procedures and best practices. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. Although. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. It’s especially important in letters to engage the reader by using pronouns. Share your thoughts and challenges. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. plain language. § Plain language has evolved significantly over the past 75 years—from a focus on crafting clear sentences to creating effective multimedia, electronic, or paper communications. Professor Joseph Kimble (2006), a noted scholar on legal writing, warns that we should avoid words and formalisms that give legal writing its musty smell. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. However, abbreviations have proliferated so much in government writing that they constantly require the reader to look back to earlier pages, or to consult an. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. You can flip the cards. It is intended to make government communications. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. For example, the phrase “people who are incarcerated” is wordier but more representative and equitable than the term “inmates. Hosted by Digital. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. “And/or” is a classic example. Plain Language is a style of copywriting that makes your content easy to understand because it reaches audiences with various reading levels and cognitive abilities. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. Plain language helps you better understand your audience and how your audience uses the content you create. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. (2) WEBSITE. How to Use this Guide In this guide. Plain Writing and Clear Communications. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. 1, with a range of 6. Word choice is an important part of. ”. Plain language is personal. People think I can teach them style. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Before and after. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. Plain language does not mean simplifying or dumbing down. Plain language is writing designed to ensure the reader understands as quickly, easily, and completely as possible. We continue toOLYMPIA, Wash. In 2021, the Civil Rights Division (CRT) provided Plain Language training both to the Civil Rights Division and to the Department at large. Join 1,990 Plain Language community members. As Justice Clarence Thomas once said, the “beauty is not to write a five cent idea in a ten dollar sentence” but rather “to put a ten dollar idea in a five cent sentence. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. S. But plain language, which is often used interchangeably for plain English or plain writing, is not just best practice or common sense, it is also the law. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Plain language is also known as clear language. As the starting point and at every point, design and write the document in a way that best serves the reader. 2. On October 27 and 28, 2020, the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) will bring experts together to explain how plain language can improve our government communication. All of our classes are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and involve interactive writing exercises. Government has embraced plain language, and government agencies are revising written materials and websites to comply with plain language standards. U. It’s a lot of edu-jargon. Also called plain language . Andy Biggs of Arizona, a hardline. Yes, you did. The intended readership of plain language summaries can include patients, patient advocates, caregivers, members of the media, busy. Instead, put the emphasis on the agency by using “we”. You may be required to prepare a Plain Language Summary for a journal article submission, a grant application. Pointing words. Gains Momentum by Karen A. When you’re going to meet a friend at the airport, do you say, “If you fail to arrive by 5:00, I cannot pick you up,” or do. The journal features the latest plain language research, practical advice, before-and-after examples, success stories, campaign strategies and much more. Her hand shakes so she does not do sign language. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Learn more about the government’s plain language standard and find a checklist to help you in your projects. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. S Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Veterans Benefits Administration (to. There will be two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break for lunch. choices at a 6th grade. Use plainlanguage. Originally called the Plain English Network, PLAIN has been meeting informally since the mid 1990s. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. has useful headings. Plain Language Writing Act of 2010 The purpose of the Plain Writing Act of 2010 is “to improve the effectiveness and accountability of federal agencies to the public by promoting clear government communication that the public can understand and use. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. X: X: X: X: X 40 CFR part 40 Subpart E — Procedures for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing: Uses some plain language principles, but still suffers from some long sections and sentences. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. A plain language standard provides all sectors, in nearly all languages, with a set of guidelines and strategies to make information more accessible and effective. 15, to require state agencies to adopt a plain language policy to ensure that information is easy to understand and. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. The material available about plain language is. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The purpose of a plain-language approach in written communication is to convey information easily and unambiguously. The long introduction with fancy SAT words might work in college, but it’s not. Plain language is useful for everyone, and crucial for users with language barriers and cognitive challenges. The credibility of being developed with input and support from many plain-language. Write annual compliance reports and post these reports on its plain language web page. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Write for your reader, not yourself. Let’s look at two. Plain language refers to clear communication that an audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. gov. Links. This book has great real-world examples proving how plain language can save your organization money and time. She was very small when she was born. Put the most important information at the top and the background at the bottom. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand by your intended audience. Whether or not there is a government-wide mandate to use plain language as government leaders come and go, the initiative has taken hold. Chunked content: Don’t try to pack everything into long paragraphs. Plain Language. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please, Joseph Kimble, 2012. [table striped="true" responsive="true"] Is the tone appropriate for the audience?Plain language is communication that is clear and easy to understand for your target audience, regardless of the medium used to deliver it. 5. We need trainers to help us provide plain language training to government agencies. Words matter. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. ” A plain language summary (PLS) summarizes a scientific study and its results to help people without scientific expertise, or from another. The Clarity Journal is distributed free to. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a plain language standard: ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language — Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. 13 Plain Language 13. In others, such as when you’re writing a blog, you’ll soundMake a commitment. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. Sign up for our weekly health literacy updates. You can also watch the 28-minute, 13-second video on YouTube. ”. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. Pointing words. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. 6 MB] Our readers are busy. How to Apply Plain Language Techniques in Technical Documents. This comprehensive plain language writing guide includes a definition, when to use it, tips for using it, and 10 examples of how to write in plain language. People come to government websites and services with a specific task in mind. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. readability statistics. Plain Writing Act of 2010. Write for your reader, not yourself. The mission of the USAGov program is to make it easier for people to find and understand the government services and information they need—anytime, anywhere, any way they want. Plain language avoids unnecessarily complicated or obtuse technical language in favor. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and. Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. (Active)Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. Plain language myths. This is the 11th time the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly Report Card evaluating how well agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. (2006). State your major point(s) first before going into details. The audiences include, but are not limited to, practitioners, policy makers, the public, and/or professionals in nearby disciplines. Write it into contracts to require any vendors and contractors to follow the plain language, people-first style. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language legal writing refers to legal writing that is well thought-out, well organized, and understandable to the client without interpretation: the language is clear, the legal concepts are explained and the technical terms are defined. Your professor was likely smarter than you were. The American Bar Association passed this resolution advising federal agencies to write regulations in plain language. Writing and reference tools. This page last reviewed on. Ambiguous Wording Rewritten. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. Target an 8th - 9th grade reading level. Tommy Thompson, George W. No. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. determine if such treaties are becoming easier to read or if improvements are still needed. Ask if one of our experienced trainers is available for your agency. Once a sentence approaches 40 words, consider splitting it into two. In the U. Plain language is a way of writing that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Agency programs and contacts. —The plain writing section described under paragraph (1)(E) shall— (A) inform the public of agency compliance with the requirements of this Act; and (B) provide a mechanism for the agency to receive and respond to public input on— (i) agency implementation of this Act; and (ii) the agency reports required under section 5. Style guides are not a plain language issue, except that your style guide should include directions to write in plain language. Write in active voice. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. § Research tells us that most readability formulas are. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. The dissatisfaction with legalese sparked the Plain Language Movement in. On August 24, 2022, the Plain Language Community of Practice (CoP) will bring together federal employees to highlight plain language successes in many federal agencies at all stages of the communications journey. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Think through the questions your users likely have and then organize the material in a logical order. It is intended to make government communications. The U. Plain language means just that: speaking in language that is clear and easy to understand. “Shall” has three strikes against it. Her parents think she knows some signs. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. Being direct and plainspoken is not talking down. As Justice Clarence Thomas once said, the “beauty is not to write a five cent idea in a ten dollar sentence” but rather “to put a ten dollar idea in a five cent sentence. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. We offer free, half-day training classes for federal agencies. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. Stick to your topic. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. A guide for plain language technical writing. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious. In this 4-week online training, you will: complete 4 modules (1 module each week) be assigned to a small group. Using plain language doesn’t mean everyone’s writing must sound the same. 5. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. Lists highlight a series of steps, requirements, or pieces of information in a visually clear way. Your Reader is a Person. 10 Tips to Write in Plain Language. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. L. This construction makes clear to the reader who is to. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. Choose your words carefully. Split topics up into logical sections separated by informative. “And/or” is a classic example. There are a variety of books, articles, videos, and journals that provide different perspectives on the value of plain language in areas as diverse as science, government regulation, and law. In September 2019, the ISO ballot approved the proposal to develop a plain language standard ― that’s when the Working Group was established, and the real work began. 5: Plain Language. We must use plain language in any document that – is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes provides information about any federal government benefit or service, or explains to the public. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references. Using plain language can help workplaces communicate. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. Plain language lists can help spot problem words and consider alternatives, but keep in mind that plain language is more than just a list of words to avoid—it’s a way of writing. (Active)National Archives staff are continually informed about plain writing through internal newsletter articles, an internal web page, and blog posts on plain writing. Many of your high-level managers and.