vivid. Testing your content should be an integral part of your writing and planning process—not just something you just do after the fact. It is also called plain English or plain writing. We must use plain language in any document that. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. Plain language makes information easier to find, read and understand. everything plain language “p”. Her hand shakes so she does not do sign language. We must use plain language in any document that – is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes provides information about any federal government benefit or service, or explains to the public. The material available about plain language is. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. See individual courses for textbook details. Historical Quotes. Words matter. *You work through modules independently, but you must submit group. clear or distinct to the eye or ear. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. And best practices for a patient audience include keeping content between a 6. Maintained Plain Language intranet and internet webpages. 2020-2021 Access for All: Plain Language is a Civil Right. 12866, E. Next, against the background of the. 7. It might be science journalists, healthcare practitioners, academic professionals, policymakers or the general public; they need to understand and engage with the research. Plain language is a way of writing that makes the message easy to read, understand, and act upon by the intended audience. Plain language helps you better understand your audience and how your audience uses the content you create. If in Microsoft Word, a. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. Plain English writing style. Follow established web-writing guidelines to maximize readability. Plain language is one element of clear communication. ”. S. 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. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. As the starting point and at every point, design and write the document in a way that best serves the reader. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. 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. “And/or” is a classic example. Official description. You can also use the toggle on the top right to switch everything to. Stick to your topic. Writers of plain English let their. Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. The first task for ISO’s plain language Working Group was to complete the Experts’ Draft and to adopt it as Draft 1. Virtual Event, 13 October 2020. It is intended to make government communications. In the U. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. Plain language is writing designed to be easily understood by all readers the first time it is read. 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. What federal law requires of us We must use plain language so you can understand: Our benefits and services and how to get them How to file taxes when you receive our benefits or services How to comply with our. 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. Before You Start Writing. This chapter will introduce you to the principles of plain language and allow you to practise them. 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. 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. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. 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 engages users best, helping them fulfill their purpose for visiting your site. • Developed a Plain Language Matrix to document related tasks and steps to begin operationalizing our plain language. Email plainwriting@nara. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Before and after. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. Think about how well your communications support people in getting things done. Law and requirements. Yes, you did. Download the 2021 Report Card. ”. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. (2006). As an author, you should. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. The audiences include, but are not limited to, practitioners, policy makers, the public, and/or professionals in nearby disciplines. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Simple words help you express your message clearly. gov explains how to write in plain language. This award recognizes people who. Whether or not there is a government-wide mandate to use plain language as government leaders come and go, the initiative has taken hold. A study of how users with lower literacy skills read and navigate on the web, for example, found that even users with graduate degrees completed tasks faster when language was simplified. The plain language summaries for completed projects have an average reading level of 8. Half-day presentations. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. 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 defines plain language, also called plain writing or plain English as “communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. About 79% of users scan new pages they come across; only 16% read word-by-word. Published: 2004. —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. Jargon Madness is a plain language conversation starter that cuts across the organizational chart. 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. Join the national plain language movement. Choose your words carefully. It avoids verbose, convoluted language and jargon. This construction makes clear to the reader who is to. The first step is to implement an official plain language policy. We have previously worked with the National Institutes of Health, U. O. (the person, group or thing doing the action); (the action itself); and. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Three days virtual conference dedicated to using plain language to break down barriers in society. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English. 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. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to write documents for the public that are easy to understand and use. you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. He includes the following words in. 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 Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. (2) WEBSITE. has useful headings. 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. webpage . Plain language would have helped clearly communicate the purpose to the public, so there would have been less confusion and mistrust. The law requires federal agencies to. What is plain language? Plain language is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand communication. 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. If your customers don’t understand your documents, you may have to: Answer phone calls. Good web content uses: The inverted pyramid style: Begin with the shortest and clearest statement you can make about your topic. It is. He includes the following words in. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. 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. Use summaries to present key information before going into detail. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. in writing programs to identify reading level. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use. The USDA plain language coordinators can be found by contacting us via plainlanguage@usda. Plain language is information that readers can understand the first time they read it and use easily. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Checklist for Plain Language. We continue toListen as they highlight plain language successes. L. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. This glossary of terms is derived from a list copyrighted by the University of Kentucky. Hosted by Digital. Using plain language on government websites is one of the best ways to reach your target audience. After. Consider your audience. [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. 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. You must have at least 20 participants. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. An old adage. Writing and reference tools. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Style guides are not a plain language issue, except that your style guide should include directions to write in plain language. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. Plain language is one of our best tools for improving scientific literacy and encouraging wise decision-making by the public on science-based issues. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. Regulations. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. It aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the public service by requiring communications to be clear and accessible to the public. On the six cards below, learn about what to do before you start writing. The plain language definition states, at its core, that plain language is easily and quickly understandable. We hope you enjoy this post. As an editor of technical, statistical reports, I see authors making a number of mistakes in approach, execution and English. Watch on. The Center for Plain Language, a non-profit organization, helps government agencies and businesses write clear and understandable communications. The materials are similar in both. Designing for reading is an important part of developing effective communications. Write to the reader, using the pronoun “you” as much as possible. Direct, accessible language is often called plain 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. Unfortunately, posting too many PDFs can work against your goal of retaining users. Source: International Plain Language Federation. ” A plain language summary (PLS) summarizes a scientific study and its results to help people without scientific expertise, or from another. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. Federal employees speak. In 2021, the Civil Rights Division (CRT) provided Plain Language training both to the Civil Rights Division and to the Department at large. Our mission PLAIN is the. Avoid Overly Complicated Language. Plain Language &. Cost. ”. Agency programs and contacts. 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. 5. 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). Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. ”The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. We offer free, half-day training classes for federal agencies. Her parents think she recognizes a couple dozen signs. Looking aheadThe Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language refers to clear communication that an audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. gov. It helps us write for people who read at all levels of time, interest, education and. Right of use means any authorization under this part to use Outer Continental. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. It is intended to make government communications. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. gov. Our five-step checklist will guide you through the plain language process and help you develop content that’s right for your organization. Plain language lists can help spot problem words and consider alternatives, but keep in mind that plain language is more than just a list of words to avoid—it’s a way of writing. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. complete group discussion assignments (usually due Tuesdays and Fridays) spend about 2 hours per week on coursework. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. 54 MB, 34 pages) from Laura Rabuck’s 2022 Federal Plain Language Summit presentation. ”you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. Mysterious in form and expression, it is larded with law-Latin and Norman-French, heavily dependent on the past, and unashamedly archaic. Trump also intends to circumvent the 14th Amendment so that he can end birthright citizenship for the children of unauthorized immigrants. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. Although. When people understand what they read, they need fewer explanations and make fewer mistakes. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious. the proper approach to legal writing. The English language allows many ways to. If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political. plain language. Resist the urge to sound formal. Prefer a simpler word whenever you can. 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. Utilize technology tools. Gains Momentum by Karen A. 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. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both. 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. . Word choice is an important part of. And there’s some indication the very first mention of plain language dates back as far as. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references. means you are communicating with your audience in a way . Plain Language. We commit to write content that is easy to read and understand. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. You can flip the cards. Plain language lists can help spot problem words and consider alternatives, but keep in mind that plain language is more than just a list of words to avoid—it’s a way of writing. PLAIN believes the public deserves to understand what its government is doing for them and expects of them. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. gov. Style guides. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. According to plainlanguage. “It’s not easily understood. ”. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. The most recent example from U. They also didn't have a negative reaction to the simplified content. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Learn more about the government’s plain language standard and find a checklist to help you in your projects. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. uses short sections and short sentences. Plain Writing Act of 2010. 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. 8 to 8. Lists highlight a series of steps, requirements, or pieces of information in a visually clear way. Demand. They point to an antecedent. 1, with a range of 6. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. 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. Resources. Put the most important information at the top and the background at the bottom. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. The state Department of Health’s Center for Public Affairs has developed resources to help you effectively. ”. 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. 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. [2] Public service agencies have a role in informing the public about any requirements and entitlements that might apply to them. The title, authors, affiliations, key points, keywords, text in tables (but not captions) and references are excluded from word counts. Agency programs and contacts. Use plain language. • 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). Additional plain language history is covered in Plain Language in the U. uses active voice. uses active voice. Testing Your Document’s Readability. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Don’t use slashes. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. [1] The Act applies to public service agencies and Crown agents. Words to avoid. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. 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. , and Nielsen, J. Our five-step checklist will guide you through the plain language process and help you develop content that’s right for your organization. Choose your words carefully. Plain Language Act’s Objectives. Write for your reader, not yourself. . English is the richest language, often having five words for a concept, while many have two. Documents that must use plain language. Many of your high-level managers and. In fact, legalese makes lawyers’ writings so incomprehensible that the US Congress regularly introduces ‘plain language’ Bills to regulate them. Find Canadian and international resources. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. These summaries are intended for a broad and inclusive audience that encompasses. Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. " Afrikaans Geskrewe kommunikasie is duidelik (in ‘’plain language’’) wanneer die teikengehoor die inligting wat hulle nodig het,. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly. Start by researching your topic, understanding your audience, and planning and organizing how you will present your information. Also called plain language . Plain language writing and design ensures information is concise, inclusive and easy to understand. Provides information about any federal government benefit or service. It offers. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. We continue toOLYMPIA, Wash. Too often, I’ve been unable to decipher just what is. That makes their writing ambiguous. According to the International Plain Language Federation, “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. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. 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. Typically it is written at a 6th-8th grade reading level for the. ”. 2 Crafting your materials with plain language principles. Agencies are required to take steps to support their people to use plain language. It helps Veterans and their families access and use VA services and benefits. For example, the phrase “people who are incarcerated” is wordier but more representative and equitable than the term “inmates. PLAIN is joining together with Clarity International and the Center for Plain Language to co-host an international online conference with 2 exciting events. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. They point to an antecedent. Writing that is legible and well-organized is far easier to understand than more traditional styles. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 promotes clear government communication that the public can understand and use. plain language movement. Here are some examples, both historical and current. Explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces. By October 13 2011, we will use plain language in any new or substantially revised document that:. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. We also continue to work to ensure plain writing is used in public communications related to the global COVID-19 pandemic. 6 MB] Our readers are busy. ” Plain language style involves everyday words and. ”. Audience and purpose. Adopting plain language in the workplace is sometimes perceived as overly complicated or not really necessary. Right of use means any authorization issued under this part that allows use of Outer Continental Shelf lands. It makes writing easy to read for more people. Language allows us to communicate our ideas and thoughts. gov. If your customers don’t understand your documents, you. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. 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. “If you think about it, a lot of the communication that we send out to our families flies in the face of this,” said Ogando. 3. Avoid the third person when the second person works. 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. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. You can see it in action right here! plain language. S. These resources will help you and your colleagues create better content through plain. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language also has the secondary benefit of potentially saving courts time and money. A hidden verb (or nominalization) is a verb converted into a noun. gov. In “The Effectiveness of Plain Language” study, readers judged the plain language samples as “well-written” 64% of the time and “well-organized” 66% of the time (compared to 48% and 49. Before and after plain language examples demonstrate how scientific documents can be translated into plain language. Plain language makes it easier for everyone to understand and use health information. 5. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Published: 2002. 2. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. This is the 11th time the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly Report Card evaluating how well agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. 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. On August 24, 2022, the Plain Language Community of Practice (CoP) will bring together federal employees to highlight plain language successes in many federal agencies at all stages of the communications journey. We will explore five stories or themes that show how plain language can increase access. 10 Tips to Write in Plain Language. T. 01 Introduction. Readers call less often for explanations. The National Library of Medicine provides bibliographies, sorted by year, citing many documents about health literacy. Plain Language: Getting Started or Brushing Up. gov for more guidance on using plain language. State your major point(s) first before going into details. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 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. Page 5. Plain language can be useful in an academic setting. (a) the document is in English (but see subsection (3) and section 15 ); and. It’s a lot of edu-jargon. There will be two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break for lunch. Plain language is clear language.