You know what you are trying to say – make sure the reader does, too. gov. Government has embraced plain language, and government agencies are revising written materials and websites to comply with plain language standards. Author: Barbro Ehrenberg-Sundin. 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. 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. Thanks to internet sorcery, we can even take advantage of free tools to quickly gauge the reading level of our writing. 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. These summaries are intended for a broad and inclusive audience that encompasses. gov held two online workshops to explain how to write in plain language. It is also called plain English or plain writing. Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) brings together plain language supporters and practitioners from around the world. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 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. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. The report card evaluates these agencies on organizational compliance and writing quality. They point to an antecedent. The USDA plain language coordinators can be found by contacting us via plainlanguage@usda. Virtual Event, 13 October 2020. You must have at least 20 participants. By using words in. Plain language is one element of clear communication. Don’t write for an 8th-grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents, or immigrants. Plain language is good customer service and makes life easier for the public. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. Federal employees speak. The public can contact CMS and send comments about our plain writing efforts via the . Plain-language summary (PLS) is a synopsis of research findings written in an easily understandable way, so that even lay audience would grasp the content. 420. Read more to see how plain language can be as . 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. Many famous writers, politicians, and others have commented over the centuries on the importance of writing clearly and briefly. It aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the public service by requiring communications to be clear and accessible to the public. ) places. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. (Active) The police stopped the riot. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Mysterious in form and expression, it is larded with law-Latin and Norman-French, heavily dependent on the past, and unashamedly archaic. You’ll also develop a sensitivity to the issues of literacy and work toward. Governments at all levels, especially the federal government, are using plain language more extensively. The first step is to implement an official plain language policy. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. View the Jargon Madness slides (PowerPoint presentation, 1. clear or distinct to the eye or ear. The credibility of being developed with input and support from many plain-language. If your preceding paragraph describes the process of strip mining, and your next paragraph begins with “this process causes…,” the word this makes a clear connection between paragraphs. “It’s not easily understood. Demand. Writing that is legible and well-organized is far easier to understand than more traditional styles. Style guides are not a plain language issue, except that your style guide should include directions to write in plain language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. Learn the definition, guidelines, purposes, and examples of plain language. In each section, you will find a number of cards you can flip through to learn. This guidance sets out the steps agencies should take to comply with the Plain Language Act 2022. Maintained Plain Language intranet and internet webpages. This plain-language course will: Outline a writer’s obligations under the Plain Writing Act. Plain Language Act 2022 — New Zealand Legislation. 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. conveying the meaning clearly and simply; easily understood. 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. Join 1,990 Plain Language community members. Find Canadian and international resources. 1, with a range of 6. Provides information about any federal government benefit or service. They also allow audience members to skim chunks of text to easily gather. It might be science journalists, healthcare practitioners, academic professionals, policymakers or the general public; they need to understand and engage with the research. This Plain Language Thesaurus has been put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing. Write for the reader, not for yourself. “Shall” has three strikes against it. Readers call less often for explanations. 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. Specifically, writing in plain language increases the ability for people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities to access your programming. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. gov’s presentations and handouts after you become a trainer to create your own plain language training class and/or make your own educational materials based on your training materials and NIH’s plain language resources. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. In this 4-week online training, you will: complete 4 modules (1 module each week) be assigned to a small group. The Office of Management and Budget issued final guidance to implement the law on April 13, 2011. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. Law and requirements. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. The public is beginning to see the difference plain, clear writing can make. a plain trail to the river. Morkes, J. 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. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. 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 offer free, half-day training classes for federal agencies. These terms are not the only acceptable plain language alternatives for these vocabulary words. President Clinton wrote, “By using plain language, we send a clear message about what the government is doing, what it requires, and what service it offers…Plain language documents have logical organization; common, everyday words, except for necessaryPlain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. You may use any of the content on this site without. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. Plain Language Resources. Next, against the background of the. Use plainlanguage. The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group fighting for public information to be written in plain English. 6. Plain-language research also necessarily intersects with design (Mazur, 2000). Be prepared to educate and learn along the way. Explain what plain language is and is not. ”. Source: International Plain Language Federation. S. Plain language allows the reader to locate, understand, and act on the information presented. He includes the following words in. Contact us if you have suggestions on ways to improve our documents or website. , and Nielsen, J. The English language allows many ways to. They concluded that the organization did not have a true process or standard for. Many of your high-level managers and. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. Legal Writing Institute Awards: Joe Kimble is chair of the Outreach Committee for the Legal Writing Institute’s Golden Pen Award. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper—or keystroke to keyboard. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. Award winners. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and. It is also called plain English or plain writing. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. Gains Momentum by Karen A. It’s a lot of edu-jargon. Plain language is personal. Plain language Definitions "A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information. Three days virtual conference dedicated to using plain language to break down barriers in society. 01 Introduction. Plain Language Summaries (PLS) provide a summary of an article in non-technical, jargon-free language that is understandable to non-specialist audiences. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. read more. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. Break documents into separate topics. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. PLAIN LANGUAGE definition: language that is clear and easy to understand , with no ambiguity or unnecessarily. It’s not simplified language; it’s direct language that doesn’t contain any flair or fluff. A guide for plain language technical writing. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. Published: 2004. Indeed, scientific information conveyed in plain language invariable reaches. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. And best practices for a patient audience include keeping content between a 6. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. They are emerging as a valuable addition to scientific publications because they have the potential to increase the understanding of scientific data, by making complex information more accessible to wider. S Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Veterans Benefits Administration (to. ”The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. Apocrypha. And there’s some indication the very first mention of plain language dates back as far as. —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. It’s especially important to test our assumptions in government, because we’re often writing for thousands or even millions of people. Use Plain Language instead of technical terms; Refer to the PRISM Readability Toolkit which contains information about the principles of Plain Language, and examples for improving readability. Plain language is one of our best tools for improving scientific literacy and encouraging wise decision-making by the public on science-based issues. 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. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Hosted by Digital. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. It saves people and government time and money and improves the accessibility of your content. Plain Language WebsiteUsing Plain Language makes it easier for the reader to accurately interpret your message. Learn how to apply plain language principles and best practices to your VA website content, and find resources and tools to help you write for your audience. Rather, by choosing straightforward vocabulary and sentence structures and by organizing and presenting your material. 10 Tips to Write in Plain Language. " The January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government also highlights the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. 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 purpose of a plain-language approach in written communication is to convey information easily and unambiguously. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese, doublespeak, gibberish, gobbledygook, skotison. Limit each paragraph to one idea and keep it short. recent trends in plain language that move beyond comprehension and task com - pletion to building user trust. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Too often, I’ve been unable to decipher just what is. 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. Plain Language. Describes why plain language is a promising strategy for clearly communicating health information and improving health literacy. The most recent example from U. People think I can teach them style. gov explains how to write in plain language. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. In her literature review “ Plain Language in the U. Use plainlanguage. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly. The Nielsen Norman Group has done multiple studies on PDFs and has consistently found. Schriver. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious. 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 Language in Government Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide shows you how to apply federal plain-language guidelines to every type of writing — from emails, memos, and letters to agency communications, technical procedures, and budget justification statements. Language allows us to communicate our ideas and thoughts. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Businesses such as banks, insurance companies, law firms, legal services and IT companies use plain language to communicate with customers. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a plain language standard: ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language — Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. History and timeline. Principles of Plain Language (PPTX), our original plain language class; Plain Language and Writing for the Web (PPTX), based on Principles, but with a web focusPfizer began sharing study results in plain language with the general public in May 2021, and people can expect to see more and more of it in the future. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. 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 is specifically relevant in stories that are about disability or intellectual disability, but I think that it should happen in other stories too because people with intellectual disabilities have interests in things that aren’t just disabilities. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. Principle 1: Use Active Voice. Originally called the Plain English Network, PLAIN has been meeting informally since the mid 1990s. (b) the agency considers that the intended audience for the document is the public generally (rather than 1 or more. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. 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. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. We hope you enjoy this post. Tommy Thompson, George W. Communicating Research Intent and Value in NIH Applications. Think about how well your communications support people in getting things done. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. Join the national plain language movement. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. Word choice is an important part of. Our Plain Language Liaisons report on what staff in their units are doing to review and revise documents — view before/after examples. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. Your professor was likely smarter than you were. Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized. It offers. " Afrikaans Geskrewe kommunikasie is duidelik (in ‘’plain language’’) wanneer die teikengehoor die inligting wat hulle nodig het,. Plain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. 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. One legal scholar calls abbreviations a “menace to prose” (Kimble, 2006). Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. 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. Legalese versus plain language by Peter Butt Legal English has traditionally been a special variety of English. This. Avoid the third person when the second person works. Start by researching your topic, understanding your audience, and planning and organizing how you will present your information. This glossary of terms is derived from a list copyrighted by the University of Kentucky. Take your audience’s current level of knowledge into account. Historical Quotes. 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. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). That's likely why readers across a wide variety of audiences prefer it, but plain style also has other benefits, like making documents more cost-effective and easier. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. 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. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references. to stand in plain view. [4] Plain writing, as defined by the PWA, is “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Plain Language in Sweden, the Results After 30 Years. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. The story so far: New Zealand passed the Plain Language Act on Wednesday, which will require the country’s officials to use simple, easily understood English language in official documents and. First, I situate the development of plain legal language use by Dutch courts in the broader context of the plain language movement, relating this development to two different views of language: language as representation and language as activity (section 2). ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 3. The ability to communicate and explain research in plain language is a critical skill. In healthcare writing, patients are often the intended audience. This book shows you how to write for customers and clients in language that's easy to understand. These principles are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and tailored for regulations. Through numerous exercises as well as examples from a variety of federal and state. Use even more headings with less under each heading. 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. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. 54 MB, 34 pages) from Laura Rabuck’s 2022 Federal Plain Language Summit presentation. The Center for Plain Language, a non-profit organization, helps government agencies and businesses write clear and understandable communications. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. A clear,. It’s not just about the words you choose, but your overall ability to. Rule begins with a useful overview that orients the reader to this complex but well-organized material. Why Use Plain Language? Download Why Use Plain Language? [PDF - 12. We continue toListen as they highlight plain language successes. We hope you enjoy this post. Describe how writers should handle multiple audiences. Plain language also has the secondary benefit of potentially saving courts time and money. A great deal of research connected to the Center for Civic Design has well established the design/plain language relationship through effective voting ballots. Once a sentence approaches 40 words, consider splitting it into two. [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. • 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). Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Your Reader is a Person. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. When people understand what they read, they need fewer explanations and make fewer mistakes. 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. Plain language has been around in the government for over 40 years. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: . She has trouble seeing, hearing, eating, and sleeping. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. Consider your audience. Apparently, the headquarters writer was trying to impress people with his so-called knowledge of economics terminology. 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. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 promotes clear government communication that the public can understand and use. ”. ”. gov, plain language helps the reader: Find what they. Plain language movements originated in the 1970s in several countries, including the UK, US and Canada. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. The following Executive Orders emphasize the need for plain language in regulations:Since 2011, the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly report card to show how well federal agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. Our trainers are federal employees from across. Prefer a simpler word whenever you can. 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. Avoid Overly Complicated Language. All of these help users connect to the text and cue the user better than nouns do. As an author, you should. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. When you communicate with the public and other partners, it is best practice to use Plain Language or “Plain Talk. Her parents think she recognizes a couple dozen signs. As an editor of technical, statistical reports, I see authors making a number of mistakes in approach, execution and English. For more than forty years, I’ve studied the documents that public companies file. § 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. gov. It is simple and direct but not simplistic or patronizing. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. How to Apply Plain Language Techniques in Technical Documents. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Writing in Plain Language . This timeline is an abbreviated and updated version of A History of Plain Language in the Government by Joanne Locke. Our growing network includes members from over 30 countries working in clear communication in at least 15 languages. Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Writing in Plain Language. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Every thought can be expressed in many different ways and the variety comes from the individual way we approach an idea or. This group was and remains the center of the US movement for plain language. The National Library of Medicine provides bibliographies, sorted by year, citing many documents about health literacy. 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. Write it into contracts to require any vendors and contractors to follow the plain language, people-first style. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. This page describes how to write in plain language, in these areas: Replace verb-noun phrases and wordy phrases with more precise words; Choose the best word (synonym) with a thesaurus; Use pronouns correctly. It is also called plain English or plain writing. 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. U. 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. Rep. When users do not understand court forms, they either complete the forms incorrectly or call the court for more information. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. 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. The materials are similar in both. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. Words matter. Enhancing our Web pages. That's likely why readers across a wide variety of audiences prefer it, but plain style also has other benefits, like making documents more cost-effective and easier. (2) WEBSITE. has useful headings. Whether or not there is a government-wide mandate to use plain language as government leaders come and go, the initiative has taken hold. 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. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. For example, the phrase “people who are incarcerated” is wordier but more representative and equitable than the term “inmates. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. 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. They consist of a plain language title (~50 words) and a clear summary of the article using non-technical language, making it accessible to a wider network of readers (~300 words). 2. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate clearly. Plain language means just that: speaking in language that is clear and easy to understand. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. the proper approach to legal writing. Plain language does not mean simplifying or dumbing down. Some have endings such as -ment, -tion, -sion, and -ance or link. 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. On June 1, 1998, President Clinton issued an executive memo. The analysis outlined above is the first step before creating programs and platforms forA clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. Before you even begin the writing process, take a step back and make sure you’re aware of what message. Keep it Short. Plain. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. Plain Language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. How to Use this Guide In this guide. ”. 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 Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Write for your reader, not yourself. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. ”. Think through the questions your users likely have and then organize the material in a logical order.