gov for more guidance on using plain language. Use lists. Our five-step checklist will guide you through the plain language process and help you develop content that’s right for your organization. Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes. The U. Antiquated words flourish words such as herein, therein,Plain language is a necessity and can have a big payoff for both consumers and organizations. We continue toOLYMPIA, Wash. Learn more about the government’s plain language standard and find a checklist to help you in your projects. Your main goal is to convey your ideas with the greatest possible clarity. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. 1. Describe how writers should handle multiple audiences. gov held two online workshops to explain how to write in plain language. USA. Use plain language. The plain language version has found an audience outside the disability community, too. Plain Language is nothing more than the using clear, familiar language that a range of people can understand. It is a thorough companion to the writing process, with comprehensive guidance and advice on understanding your readers, planning and creating your text, and presenting your words. These principles are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and tailored for regulations. 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. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. $75 program application fee. Follow established web-writing guidelines to maximize readability. Plain language would have helped clearly communicate the purpose to the public, so there would have been less confusion and mistrust. 4. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. A plain language summary exploring a new treatment combination for untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer: enfortumab vedotin plus. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is an unfunded working group of federal employees from different agencies and specialties who support the use of clear communication in government writing. Speech given to 600 high-level Mexican public servants at the launching plain language conference Lenguaje ciudadano on the 5th of October 2004. Words matter. PLAIN LANGUAGE •Kyra is autistic and deaf. Plain and simple. ”. Watch on. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. Schriver. Style guides are not a plain language issue, except that your style guide should include directions to write in plain language. 12988, and. Plain Language Act’s Objectives. Writing in short, simple words doesn’t mean you are ‘dumbing down’ the message. Use plainlanguage. Resources. And there’s some indication the very first mention of plain language dates back as far as. Too many complex words are like hurdles in a race, barriers to understanding which slows readers down. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. Learning. A study of how users with lower literacy skills read and navigate on the web, for example, found that even users with. gov. Beginning in 2022, Pfizer will be disclosing the results of all global clinical trials—phases 1 through 4—in plain language. Government has embraced plain language, and government agencies are revising written materials and websites to comply with plain language standards. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. We also continue to work to ensure plain writing is used in public communications related to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. They concluded that the organization did not have a true process or standard for. gov. Use short sentences: aim for an average word count of 20. Morkes, J. Here are some examples, both historical and current. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to train staff to use plain language when they communicate with. That doesn’t mean that you should put your letter in passive voice. Regulations. Don’t use slashes. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious. In either case, court staff may spend time explaining theAbstract. read more. 5. Half-day presentations. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is an unfunded working group of federal employees from different agencies and specialties who support the use of clear communication in government writing. Author: Barbro Ehrenberg-Sundin. 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. Before you even begin the writing process, take a step back and make sure you’re aware of what message. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. 8 to 8. ” A plain language summary (PLS) summarizes a scientific study and its results to help people without scientific expertise, or from another. adult reads at an eight-grade level, which makes. Verb phrases are the best headings for sections that relate to procedures. Plain language is good customer service and makes life easier for the public. Typically it is written at a 6th-8th grade reading level for the. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. During 2021, CRT had a plain language specialist on detail from the Administrative Office of the Courts, and also procured the services of a communications strategy team from GSA’s 18F digital consultancy. Dictionaries, thesauruses, and grammar sites are excellent tools that can help you clarify your word choice. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. Plain language has been around in the government for over 40 years. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 promotes clear government communication that the public can understand and use. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. Established by the Secretary of Homeland Security, NIMS only requires plain language for mutual aid scenarios, though it strongly encourages the use of plain language during day-to-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. A hidden verb (or nominalization) is a verb converted into a noun. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. You must have at least 20 participants. But in the process, he wasted at least 30 minutes of two senior executives’ time, not to mention subordinates’ and a consultant’s time. Her parents think she recognizes a couple dozen signs. You can flip the cards. The first plain language regulation was a FCC regulation on operating ham radios. If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political. PLAIN offers free consultation to federal agencies on how to start an internal agency plain language program. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. Here are five of my agency’s most common arguments for not writing in plain language: I got an A on these kinds of papers in graduate school. Hidden verbs come in two forms. Steps to success 1. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 into law on. Unfortunately, posting too many PDFs can work against your goal of retaining users. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. She was born early. Just because someone can read instructions written at a grade 14 level doesn’t mean they. 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. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. 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. The audiences include, but are not limited to, practitioners, policy makers, the public, and/or professionals in nearby disciplines. “Mike’s talking about a two-step approach with some good language attached to the CR,” Jordan said. Jargon Madness is a plain language conversation starter that cuts across the organizational chart. All of our classes are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and involve interactive writing exercises. In this course, you’ll learn the writing standards and practices outlined within the plain language field. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. It not only gives still-very-relevant lessons on why plain. The state Department of Health’s Center for Public Affairs has developed resources to help you effectively. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. View these before and after examples to see how the National Archives is. both plain language and coded language in the same transmission, causing confusion. 5. Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. Plain language discharge letters written for real patients in the context of experience-based learning improved in quality, providing students with skills to work effectively in an environment where poor health literacy is prevalent. Plain-language advocates often trumpet this utility by demonstrating that doc - uments written in plain language are easier to use than docu-ments that feature jargon, convoluted paragraphs, and crowded visual design. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly. 1 This tool aims to support a systematic review of your material to ensure it follows plain language guidance and meets the needs Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Checklist for Plain Language. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. This timeline is an abbreviated and updated version of A History of Plain Language in the Government by Joanne Locke. 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. It is intended to make government communications. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. March 2011Revision 1, May 2011. The National Library of Medicine provides bibliographies, sorted by year, citing many documents about health literacy. You may use any of the. Once a sentence approaches 40 words, consider splitting it into two. You achieve plain English when you use the simplest, most straightforward way of expressing an idea. ”. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. If a document does not use people-first language, send it back to the writer and ask them to edit it to comply with the style guide. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. And best practices for a patient audience include keeping content between a 6. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language is useful for everyone, and crucial for users with language barriers and cognitive challenges. In business, a message is only effective when it is understood. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. Plain Language. This book is as helpful as it is entertaining. 01 Introduction. It is also called plain English or plain writing. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. When users do not understand court forms, they either complete the forms incorrectly or call the court for more information. Plain language looks at the whole message from the reader’s perspective, including wording, structure, and design elements. 13 Plain Language 13. agenda (unless you’re talking about a meeting) advancing; collaborate (use working with) combating (use working against or fighting) Plain language can be understood the first time it is read or heard. Designing for reading is an important part of developing effective communications. gov. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. in writing programs to identify reading level. “And/or” is a classic example. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. • Developed a Plain Language Matrix to document related tasks and steps to begin operationalizing our plain language. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Break documents into separate topics. Using plain language doesn’t mean everyone’s writing must sound the same. 2010s. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. ) written for the average reader. Relax and be natural (but not too informal). They point to an antecedent. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. uses active voice. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. ”. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. Use pronouns when you can. Plain language is one element of clear communication. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. ” Plain language style involves everyday words and. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. It’s robust and direct—the opposite of gaudy, pretentious language. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. Plain language writing—and speaking—will help you to get your message across clearly and concisely. Published: 2002. Plain Language. Speakers address debunking myths, meeting varying audience’s needs,. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. It is. Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in a few words. Enhancing our Web pages. Plain Language Summaries. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. You may have been toiling away for years to change wordy. President Clinton was an advocate and signed two executive orders and issued a Memorandum on Plain Language in Government Writing. Plain language also has the secondary benefit of potentially saving courts time and money. 1, May 2011 i Introduction The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. The plain language Community of Practice is a network of communications professionals that work to help public servants communicate in plain language to their audience. 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. Instead, put the emphasis on the agency by using “we”. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examplesPlain language is the best option, because it gets your message across in the most efficient way possible. Pointing words. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The public can contact CMS and send comments about our plain writing efforts via the . As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. Reports and brochures. Your professor was likely smarter than you were. Plain language avoids unnecessarily complicated or obtuse technical language in favor. We’re accustomed to thinking and speaking positively. It’s not just about the words you choose, but your overall ability to. Resources for using plain language. Plain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. Actually, plain English is typically quite interesting to read. 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 works with. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Because they use short sentences and common words, plain-language documents allow every member of the audience to understand the piece in a single read. ”. Plain Language Act 2022: Guidance for agencies — Te Kawa Mataaho. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. 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. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. This book has great real-world examples proving how plain language can save your organization money and time. In addition. Short Definition of Plain Language. Outline other rules related to word. Step 1: Identify and describe the target. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Our Plain Language Partners. The Working Group appointed 3 luminaries and stalwarts. Demand. Resources. The English language allows many ways to. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. (link is external) This page last reviewed on May 15, 2023. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. has useful headings. This Plain Language Thesaurus has been put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing. This incident shows what an unnecessary time-waster non-plain language can be. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. He includes the following words in. Email plainwriting@nara. We hope you enjoy this post. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. – use that information. Download the 2022 Report Card PDF. Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. The second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . ”the Plain Language Movement, legal language, and rhetoric, and 3. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. When we write in the negative, we place another stumbling block in audience’s way and make it more difficult for them to understand us. The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. In a user’s manual, people are trying to do tasks—actions. Plain language engages users best, helping them fulfill their purpose for visiting your site. When drafting a plain language text, there are 5 general areas to consider: 1. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. The first step is to implement an official plain language policy. Train-the-trainer bootcamp. Yes, you did. Write in a conversational tone. Contains guidelines for creating plain language materials, as well as an overview of the plain language movement and tools for trainers. to make one's meaning plain. There will be two sessions each day. Consider your audience. ”The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly as possible so it can reach as many people as possible. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. The Clarity Journal. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. Plain language works with whatever style you follow. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). Use informative headings and subheadings if the document is lengthy? Use white space for easy scanning? Use lists and tables to simplify complex material? Download the PDF Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. Plain language is writing designed to be easily understood by all readers the first time it is read. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. The Clarity Journal is distributed free to. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper — or keystroke to keyboard. PLAIN offers a variety of introductory classes on plain language. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. uses short sections and short sentences. Plain language is one of our best tools for improving scientific literacy and encouraging wise decision-making by the public on science-based issues. Christian Miller said that, internally, the plain language description of ProPublica resonated. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. (1) In this Act, a document for which a reporting agency is responsible is a relevant document if—. Readers call less often for explanations. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: “Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. ” Plain Talk makes it easier for people to read, understand, and use your communications or educational materials. You can also use the toggle on the top right to switch everything to. Here are some examples, both historical and current. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. This handbook and Chairman Levitt’s whole drive to encourage “plain English” in disclosure documents, are good news for me. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. Use Microsoft Word’s Readability Statistics feature—part of the Spelling & Grammar check—to measure your progress as you write and edit copy. that’s understandable and direct. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. [9] For instance, the Plain Writing Act 2010 requires US federal agencies to use simple English in their documents so that they can be understood by everyone. Looking aheadThe Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. The American Bar Association passed this resolution advising federal agencies to write regulations in plain language. S. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various. What’s plain language? Plain language is a writing technique that prioritizes simple words and straightforward sentence structures. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. Use even more headings with less under each heading. Writing in short, simple words doesn’t mean you are ‘dumbing down’ the message. 1 Using plain language enables you to connect directly and clearly with all audiences - from research participants, to the general public, to research colleagues. How to Apply Plain Language Techniques in Technical Documents. Maintained Plain Language intranet and internet webpages. Plain Writing Act of 2010. In Conclusion. Testing Your Document’s Readability. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as:. T. 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. organized to serve the reader’s needs. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Additional plain language history is covered in Plain Language in the U. A discipline that might eventually become known as ‘plain language studies’ is beginning to emerge through the collaboration of individual plain language proponents (plainers for short). Utilize technology tools. A Plain Language Summary (also referred to as a lay summary in some subject areas) communicates the significance of scholarly and scientific research evidence to wide audiences in clear, jargon-free language. To learn more about plain language, read the 12 Plain Language tips accessible only on the Government of Canada network) and contact the Plain Language Community of. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. By using words in. Try to make your reading ease number go up and. Help the reader understand the order in which things happen. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. a plain trail to the river. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. Plain Language. 6. (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . We offer free, half-day training classes for federal agencies. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance. Good web content uses: The inverted pyramid style: Begin with the shortest and clearest statement you can make about your topic. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. An old adage. Her hand shakes so she does not do sign language. They concluded that the organization did not have a true process or standard for communication, and as a result implemented plain language as the standard. determine if such treaties are becoming easier to read or if improvements are still needed. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. 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. [1] The Act applies to public service agencies and Crown agents. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. 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. State your major point(s) first before going into details. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The Plain Language Action and Information Network defines plain language, also called plain writing or plain English as “communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. Think through the questions your users likely have and then organize the material in a logical order. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. 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. Handbooks and manuals. We have edited this list. Language allows us to communicate our ideas and thoughts. The most recent example from U. 1. After. Plain-language research also necessarily intersects with design (Mazur, 2000). Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. English is the richest language, often having five words for a concept, while many have two. Modern English, especially written English, is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble. Plain style is reader-friendly because it's clear, concise, and precise; it uses short, action-driven sentences free of jargon to make language accessible and easy to understand.