) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. that’s understandable and direct. 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. 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 comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. 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. Ask if one of our experienced trainers is available for your agency. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Our growing network includes members from over 30 countries working in clear communication in at least 15 languages. both plain language and coded language in the same transmission, causing confusion. Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in a few words. 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. Testing your content should be an integral part of your writing and planning process—not just something you just do after the fact. プレイン・ランゲージ（英語: plain language 、「平易な言語」の意）は、読み手が必要な情報を簡単に見つけ、見つけた情報を容易に理解し使えるようにするために、的確に言葉を選び、文章の構成やデザインを行っているコミュニケーション様式の総称で. Put the most important information at the top and the background at the bottom. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. Regulations. gov, plain language helps the reader: Find what they. We aim to bring you timely information about the work of CDC and other organizations to improve health literacy. Using plain language [3] helps agencies do this more. means you are communicating with your audience in a way . For example, the phrase “people who are incarcerated” is wordier but more representative and equitable than the term “inmates. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 12988, and. 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. [table striped="true" responsive="true"] Is the tone appropriate for the audience?The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. The first step is to implement an official plain language policy. Author: Barbro Ehrenberg-Sundin. 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. Plain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. Historical Quotes. Before FCC issued the regulation, there were five staff members answering public calls and letters with questions about the FCC’s requirements for operating ham radios. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. 4. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. View these before and after examples to see how the National Archives is. 2010s. It should summarize your scientific study, its results, and their broader relevance without using jargon so that it is understandable by scientists from outside of your discipline, as well as science journalists. plain language movement. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve communication and takes less time to read and understand. Keep it Short. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. Effective plain language content means that the target audience can read, understand, and confidently act on the information in your content. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. Gains Momentum: 1940-2015,” Karen Schriver outlines the following: “Between 1940 and 1970, plain language focused mainly on readability. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. Resources. 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). Schriver. 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. 6 What documents must use plain language. 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. It might be science journalists, healthcare practitioners, academic professionals, policymakers or the general public; they need to understand and engage with the research. To communicate professionally, you need to know when and how to use either active or passive voice. This timeline is an abbreviated and updated version of A History of Plain Language in the Government by Joanne Locke. *You work through modules independently, but you must submit group. An old adage. Write it into contracts to require any vendors and contractors to follow the plain language, people-first style. ” Plain Talk makes it easier for people to read, understand, and use your communications or educational materials. We have edited this list. Handbooks and manuals. (the person, group or thing doing the action); (the action itself); and. The law requires that federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use. . Choose your words carefully. 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. Published: 2004. § Research tells us that most readability formulas are. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. It is also called plain English or plain writing. Ambiguous Wording Rewritten. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. Use Microsoft Word’s Readability Statistics feature—part of the Spelling & Grammar check—to measure your progress as you write and edit copy. 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. gov. • the importance of using plain language; • best practices and helpful tips; • leadership’s interest in and support of plain writing; and • training opportunities (within and outside of the Department). March 2011Revision 1, May 2011. Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. “Mike’s talking about a two-step approach with some good language attached to the CR,” Jordan said. Word choice is an important part of. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. O. These principles are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and tailored for regulations. Audience and purpose. It’s not simplified language; it’s direct language that doesn’t contain any flair or fluff. Apparently, the headquarters writer was trying to impress people with his so-called knowledge of economics terminology. You achieve plain English when you use the simplest, most straightforward way of expressing an idea. Content types. Abstract. We evaluated 21 Executive Branch agencies, including all 15 cabinet-level departments. There is no one ‘right’ way to express an idea. Simple words help you express your message clearly. The Plain Language community is a group of government employees and contractors dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. Guidelines for writing PLSs have been developed and empirical research on PLSs has been conducted, but terminology and research approaches in this comparatively young field vary considerably. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. Here are some style guides. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. For example, “Please make an application for a personal loan” is longer and less clear than “Please apply for a personal loan. Plain language myths. Plain language is writing designed to be easily understood by all readers the first time it is read. The purpose of a pla in-lan guage approach in written communications is to convey. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Right of use means any authorization issued under this part that allows use of Outer Continental Shelf lands. When you communicate with the public and other partners, it is best practice to use Plain Language or “Plain Talk. Explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces. The active voice eliminates confusion by forcing you to name the actor in a sentence. A challenge in writing plain language summaries is to avoid oversimplifying terms or concepts, which can lead to content that is misleading or inaccurate, or that. 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. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please, Joseph Kimble, 2012. The bigger the block of text, the harder it is to read. Use plainlanguage. 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. (a) the document is in English (but see subsection (3) and section 15 ); and. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. Describe how writers should handle multiple audiences. 12866, E. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 01 Introduction. 1. ”. uses short sections and short sentences. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. Plain language writing and design ensures information is concise, inclusive and easy to understand. We continue toListen as they highlight plain language successes. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. Writing in Plain Language . One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. People who benefit from plain language includes anyone with a disability that effects their reading ability. At [Agency Name], we are committed to writing in plain language and using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines: We have. the proper approach to legal writing. U. This is crucial. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. It improves access to services and creates a better experience for your reader. Plain language is a way of writing that makes the message easy to read, understand, and act upon by the intended audience. The Plain Language Commission accredits public documents and websites with the Clear English Standard logo and provides training in plain language. Readability is a strong ally in the quest for plain language—the more common and less complex a word, phrase, or. Buffett from the SEC’s Plain English Handbook, 1998. gov. The plain language version has found an audience outside the disability community, too. The second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. Join the national plain language movement. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. PLAIN is dedicated to helping federal agencies train their staff to communicate clearly and develop their own plain language programs. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. Don’t use slashes. While the day-to-day work of plain language happens in departments, your program won’t thrive without clear expectations from the top. 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. One legal scholar calls abbreviations a “menace to prose” (Kimble, 2006). In a user’s manual, people are trying to do tasks—actions. Contact us if you have suggestions on ways to improve our documents or website. Writers of plain English let their. A common myth is that plain language is incompatible with teaching complex subjects. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. And best practices for a patient audience include keeping content between a 6. has useful headings. We will explore five stories or themes that show how plain language can increase access. Writing and reference tools. This book is as helpful as it is entertaining. uses active voice. Find Canadian and international resources. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. 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. The law requires federal agencies to. The dissatisfaction with legalese sparked the Plain Language Movement in. In business, a message is only effective when it is understood. “And/or” is a classic example. In others, such as when you’re writing a blog, you’ll soundMake a commitment. Great if you need to explain the importance of plain language to your boss. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. 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. 6 MB] Our readers are busy. Please feel free to use these terms in place of medical jargon, wherever you feel they might be better understood. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. It has 5 general areas to consider: audience and purpose, structure, design, expression, and. They point to an antecedent. determine if such treaties are becoming easier to read or if improvements are still needed. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. 6 . When users do not understand court forms, they either complete the forms incorrectly or call the court for more information. Some have endings such as -ment, -tion, -sion, and -ance or link. It helps Veterans and their families access and use VA services and benefits. ”The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. Adopting plain language in the workplace is sometimes perceived as overly complicated or not really necessary. ”. ”. Before you even begin the writing process, take a step back and make sure you’re aware of what message. Every thought can be expressed in many different ways and the variety comes from the individual way we approach an idea or. ETGAR may serve as a model for learning written communication skills during clinical years, using the. 10 Tips to Write in Plain Language. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. The plain language summaries for completed projects have an average reading level of 8. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. Plain-language documents are accessible and present information in a way that is easy to absorb. Write for the reader, not for yourself. Using plain language can advance health literacy, build trust in your organization as a source of information, and promote overall community health. In fact, legalese makes lawyers’ writings so incomprehensible that the US Congress regularly introduces ‘plain language’ Bills to regulate them. organized to serve the reader’s needs. The purpose of a plain-language approach in written communication is to convey information easily and unambiguously. They want to scan, not read. Plain Writing Act of 2010. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. That doesn’t mean that you should put your letter in passive voice. Governments at all levels, especially the federal government, are using plain language more extensively. Learning. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Cost. you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. The law requires federal agencies to. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. No. 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. When drafting a plain language text, there are 5 general areas to consider: 1. The English language allows many ways to. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. The public is beginning to see the difference plain, clear writing can make. Agencies are required to take steps to support their people to use plain language. We’re a nonprofit organization run entirely on a volunteer basis. ”. Visit plainlanguage. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. i. He includes the following words in. 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. “It’s not easily understood. Avoid the third person when the second person works. – understand what they find. Hidden verbs come in two forms. Businesses such as banks, insurance companies, law firms, legal services and IT companies use plain language to communicate with customers. 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. Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes. The state Department of Health’s Center for Public Affairs has developed resources to help you effectively. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. Utilize technology tools. It . Plain language is a way of writing that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to write documents for the public that are easy to understand and use. People with language impairments often have a reduced vocabulary and learning new terms is a very slow difficult process. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Use short sentences: aim for an average word count of 20. Federal Plain Language Guidelines. History and timeline. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. The material available about plain language is. This guidance sets out the steps agencies should take to comply with the Plain Language Act 2022. Letters and notices. ) written for the average reader. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. 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. Use plainlanguage. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. This article is structured as follows. 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. Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. Replace verb-noun phrases and wordy phrases with more precise words. gov. They also didn't have a negative reaction to the simplified content. They concluded that the organization did not have a true process or standard for. Write in a conversational tone. Use even more headings with less under each heading. Learn the definition, guidelines, purposes, and examples of plain language. Plain Language at NIH. Words matter. 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. Plain English is clear, straightforward expression, using only as many words as are necessary. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate clearly. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. 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. 71 Plain . Our first guest is Lynda Harris from New Zealand. Use positive language. The Plain Language and Multilingual communities share a goal of achieving more effective communication. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese, doublespeak, gibberish, gobbledygook, skotison. Use lists. Lists highlight a series of steps, requirements, or pieces of information in a visually clear way. Plain Language: Getting Started or Brushing Up. S. A Plain Language Summary is an incredibly effective science communication tool that allows researchers to reach a wider audience by summarizing their work in terms that are accessible to people outside of a specific scientific circle. Speech given to 600 high-level Mexican public servants at the launching plain language conference Lenguaje ciudadano on the 5th of October 2004. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various. These days, federal job postings for writers, editors, and many other positions either request or require plain language experience—skills, former training, or even some level of expertise called “mastery. You may have been toiling away for years to change wordy. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. In general. feedback form posted on the page. Making information less complex and more concise How we knew we needed a plain language program In 2010, most of our day-to-day communications with county residents were lengthy, overly complex, The Center for Plain Language is a 501 (c) (3), non-profit. We hope you enjoy this post. Plain language (also called Plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Let’s look at two. Plain language strategy #2: We make shorter. The bill would create plain language requirements including:Tuesday, October 27, 2020 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM ET. Before and after plain language examples demonstrate how scientific documents can be translated into plain language. Email plainwriting@nara. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. ”A clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. For other groups, such as people living with dementia, learning new terms is not. They point to an antecedent. org and in the Cochrane Library in a range of languages. Official description. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. It is simple and direct but not simplistic or patronizing. Plain language is one of our best tools for improving scientific literacy and encouraging wise decision-making by the public on science-based issues. ” A plain language summary (PLS) summarizes a scientific study and its results to help people without scientific expertise, or from another. (2) WEBSITE. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). The audiences include, but are not limited to, practitioners, policy makers, the public, and/or professionals in nearby disciplines. Accusatory use of you. Share your thoughts and challenges. S. Plain language guidelines and tips. Identify their top tasks. These are valuable to a range of readers, including patients, patient advocates, the general public, non-specialist clinicians, research scientists, decision-makers. The Center supports those who use plain language, trains those who should use plain language, and urges people to demand plain language in all the communications they. Reference Oppenheimer, D. 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. Her parents think she knows some signs. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. ”. You can see it in action right here! plain language. ClearMark Awards: The Center for Plain Language sets a high standard for clarity and simplicity in the documents created by North American companies, governments, and organizations. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. Plain language works with whatever style you follow. 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. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) website was launched in 1994; regular meetings began in 1995. Plain language looks at the whole message from the reader’s perspective, including wording, structure, and design elements.