It helps readers access and use the content without confusion, frustration, or extra. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. gov. By using words in. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. Plain language is information that readers can understand the first time they read it and use easily. Source: International Plain Language Federation. § Research tells us that most readability formulas are. She was very small when she was born. This glossary of terms is derived from a list copyrighted by the University of Kentucky. (Active)National Archives staff are continually informed about plain writing through internal newsletter articles, an internal web page, and blog posts on plain writing. The first plain language regulation was a FCC regulation on operating ham radios. Utilize technology tools. S. It is intended to make government communications. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. Use language your audience understands and feels comfortable with. It is also called plain English or plain writing. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. Plain Language in Plain English. Our first guest is Lynda Harris from New Zealand. Writing in Plain Language. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper — or keystroke to keyboard. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . Support for plain-writing is growing in the legal professions, which bring us some of our best and most varied examples of plain-writing. Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes. It aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the public service by requiring communications to be clear and accessible to the public. 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. The Act does not cover regulations. Why Use Plain Language? Download Why Use Plain Language? [PDF - 12. Letters and notices. For example, the phrase “people who are incarcerated” is wordier but more representative and equitable than the term “inmates. 12866, E. Handbooks and manuals. Style guides. The state Department of Health’s Center for Public Affairs has developed resources to help you effectively. Law and requirements. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. After. It is communication your audience can understand the first time they encounter it. Plain language can be understood the first time it is read or heard. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. Understanding what users are trying to do when visiting your website or reading your communications will help you write clearly and focus on their needs. Thompson illustrates just how helpful they can be. 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. (link is external) Everyday Words for Public Health Communication. Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. Content types. 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. The title, authors, affiliations, key points, keywords, text in tables (but not captions) and references are excluded from word counts. Consider your audience. Plain and simple. Find Canadian and international resources. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. readability statistics. Plain language is a more complex version of English and baby talk. gov explains how to write in plain language. Before and after plain language examples demonstrate how scientific documents can be translated into plain language. Before You Start Writing. [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. to make one's meaning plain. 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. A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended audience can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. ”you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. Speech given to 600 high-level Mexican public servants at the launching plain language conference Lenguaje ciudadano on the 5th of October 2004. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. Use pronouns when you can. Here are some examples, both historical and current. PLAIN is dedicated to helping federal agencies train their staff to communicate clearly and develop their own plain language programs. PLAIN believes the public deserves to understand what its government is doing for them and expects of them. 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. Do your research. Andy Biggs of Arizona, a hardline. reading level or below. Sometimes verb phrases would make good headings for procedural sections of rules. Use plainlanguage. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. Thanks to internet sorcery, we can even take advantage of free tools to quickly gauge the reading level of our writing. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. Although. Plain language has been around in the government for over 40 years. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both organizational compliance. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly. 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. 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. Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. Put the most important information at the top and the background at the bottom. 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. Three days virtual conference dedicated to using plain language to break down barriers in society. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 promotes clear government communication that the public can understand and use. Morkes, J. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. These terms are not the only acceptable plain language alternatives for these vocabulary words. Language. Read more to see how plain language can be as . 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. 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. 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. clear or distinct to the eye or ear. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The English language allows many ways to. ”. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. Write for your reader, not yourself. ) places. Plain Language is nothing more than the using clear, familiar language that a range of people can understand. We have previously worked with the National Institutes of Health, U. Before you even begin the writing process, take a step back and make sure you’re aware of what message. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). Award winners. We at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to improving our service to you by writing in plain language. 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. Develop a strong plan that is also flexible. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Plain Language &. Using Plain language: In general, keep language. Write in the active voice. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. PLAIN LANGUAGE •Kyra is autistic and deaf. Plain English writing style. This construction makes clear to the reader who is to. Wednesday, August 24, 2022 10:30 AM – 3:45 PM ET. has useful headings. 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). What is Plain Language? Importance of Plain. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. S. This Plain Language Thesaurus has been put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing. Preface by Warren E. Some have endings such as -ment, -tion, -sion, and -ance or link. 2 Crafting your materials with plain language principles. Refer to the reader as you, but not if it sounds accusatory or insulting. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Writing in short, simple words doesn’t mean you are ‘dumbing down’ the message. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. Plain language fixes this problem. 01 Introduction. The ability to communicate and explain research in plain language is a critical skill. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. Readability is a strong ally in the quest for plain language—the more common and less complex a word, phrase, or. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. Before. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. 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. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. Visit plainlanguage. Rather, by choosing straightforward vocabulary and sentence structures and by organizing and presenting your material. Learn how they used plain language in COVID-19 agency responses, and how they combined plain language, accessibility, and user experience. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. $350–$930/course, not including textbooks. Help the reader understand the order in which things happen. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. It improves access to services and creates a better experience for your reader. 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. 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. One legal scholar calls abbreviations a “menace to prose” (Kimble, 2006). That makes their writing ambiguous. 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). As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. Our biannual journal, The Clarity Journal, is the leading source of plain language news and research from across the globe. The most recent example from U. uses short sections and short sentences. American Sign Language. Our Plain Language Partners. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. You may use any of the content on this site without. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. People think I can teach them style. For other groups, such as people living with dementia, learning new terms is not. determine if such treaties are becoming easier to read or if improvements are still needed. 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. Even with regulations and the limits of publishing in the Code of Federal Regulations, you can use design elements to help users read and understand the information. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. (2) WEBSITE. Sign up for our weekly health literacy updates. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. Several months after FCC issued the regulation, the questions had fallen off so far that all. A hidden verb (or nominalization) is a verb converted into a noun. In 2021, the Civil Rights Division (CRT) provided Plain Language training both to the Civil Rights Division and to the Department at large. The Plain Language Thesaurus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers plain language equivalents to medical terms and phrases. The Plain Language Commission accredits public documents and websites with the Clear English Standard logo and provides training in plain language. Identify their top tasks. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. 6 What documents must use plain language. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. For more than forty years, I’ve studied the documents that public companies file. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Reports and brochures. Describes why plain language is a promising strategy for clearly communicating health information and improving health literacy. ” Plain language style involves everyday words and. 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. , and Nielsen, J. You know what you are trying to say – make sure the reader does, too. Antiquated words flourish words such as herein, therein,Plain language is a necessity and can have a big payoff for both consumers and organizations. The report card evaluates these agencies on organizational compliance and writing quality. Ask if one of our experienced trainers is available for your agency. Indeed, scientific information conveyed in plain language invariable reaches. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. Many you have never heard before, and many you may have heard but don’t know their correct definition, spelling, or pronunciation. Designing for reading is an important part of developing effective communications. “It’s not easily understood. Use plain language. Ambiguous Wording Rewritten. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to write documents for the public that are easy to understand and use. Dictionaries, thesauruses, and grammar sites are excellent tools that can help you clarify your word choice. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English. 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. 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) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. ) written for the average reader. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. Plain Language: Getting Started or Brushing Up. Additional plain language history is covered in Plain Language in the U. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. uses “you” and other pronouns to speak to the reader. That doesn’t mean that you should put your letter in passive voice. 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. This chapter will introduce you to the principles of plain language and allow you to practise them. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Download the 2021 Report Card. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. i. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. adult reads at an eight-grade level, which makes. Introduction. Reference Oppenheimer, D. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. that’s understandable and direct. organized to serve the reader’s needs. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Our Plain Language Liaisons report on what staff in their units are doing to review and revise documents — view before/after examples. Plain language is useful for everyone, and crucial for users with language barriers and cognitive challenges. This plain-language course will: Outline a writer’s obligations under the Plain Writing Act. The plain language summaries for completed projects have an average reading level of 8. It helps us write for people who read at all levels of time, interest, education and. An old adage. Communicating Research Intent and Value in NIH Applications. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. (the person, group or thing doing the action); (the action itself); and. gov. Our growing network includes members from over 30 countries working in clear communication in at least 15 languages. Share your thoughts and challenges. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Use plain language in any new or substantially revised document . Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. Using plain language can help workplaces communicate. 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. 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. you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. to stand in plain view. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. Plain language works with whatever style you follow. They point to an antecedent. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Limit each paragraph to one idea and keep it short. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. In each section, you will find a number of cards you can flip through to learn. It offers. They want to scan, not read. Resources for using plain language. Use lists to help your user focus on important material. Contact us if you have suggestions on ways to improve our documents or website. Plain language is clear, concise, and easily understood the first time someone reads or hears it. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. The second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . Easy to read, easy to understand and easy to use, plain language—plain English— lands your organization in the users’ world. 12988, and. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. ”. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. Cost. Gains Momentum: 1940-2015,” Karen Schriver outlines the following: “Between 1940 and 1970, plain language focused mainly on readability. Please feel free to use these terms in place of medical jargon, wherever you feel they might be better understood. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. Plain language is good customer service and makes life easier for the public. Virtual Event, 13 October 2020. 1. It is simple and direct but not simplistic or patronizing. The Plain Language Summary (PLS) should convey the same information as the Abstract but in a completely different language and tone. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. , the Plain Writing Act of 2010 took effect in October 2011 (see below). Write for your reader, not yourself. Writing Plain Language for Law (PLNL510) Plain Language in Health Literacy (PLNL520) Technical Writing and Editing (TCOM120) Copy Editing (EDIT210) Learning materials. • 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). 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. ”the Plain Language Movement, legal language, and rhetoric, and 3. 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. 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. In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. Choose everyday words: the shorter the word, the more likely it will be familiar to the reader. Train-the-trainer bootcamp. It helps Veterans and their families access and use VA services and benefits. . Plain language strategy #1: We make shorter paragraphs. Plain Language at NIH. Effective plain language content means that the target audience can read, understand, and confidently act on the information in your content. Audience and purpose. Think through the questions your users likely have and then organize the material in a logical order. ”4. If you have an update, please let us know at info@plainlanguage. Keep in mind that the average U. Tommy Thompson, George W. USA. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) website was launched in 1994; regular meetings began in 1995. Lists highlight a series of steps, requirements, or pieces of information in a visually clear way. Schriver. He includes the following words in. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. Use positive language. 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. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. 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). We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. There will be two sessions each day. They make fewer errors filling out forms. “Shall” has three strikes against it. In the past, Trump has. Here are some style guides. To learn more about plain language, read the 12 Plain Language tips accessible only on the Government of Canada network) and contact the Plain Language Community of. Don’t write for an 8th-grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents, or immigrants. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. ”A clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. Hidden verbs come in two forms. You may have been toiling away for years to change wordy. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese, doublespeak, gibberish, gobbledygook, skotison. 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. Too many complex words are like hurdles in a race, barriers to understanding which slows readers down. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. 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. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. It might be science journalists, healthcare practitioners, academic professionals, policymakers or the general public; they need to understand and engage with the research. to explain the importance of the Plain Writing Act and outline CMS’ commitment to full compliance with the Act. $75 program application fee. It’s especially important in letters to engage the reader by using pronouns. Explain what plain language is and is not. 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. webpage . You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. Use plainlanguage. We evaluated 21 Executive Branch agencies, including all 15 cabinet-level departments. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. Abstract. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. . Avoid PDF overload. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. Plain Writing Act of 2010. Specifically, writing in plain language increases the ability for people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities to access your programming. ” Writing in plain. Using Plain Language. This. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. Plain language strategy #2: We make shorter. What are Plain Language Summaries (PLS)? PLS sit after the academic abstract. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. Writers of plain English let their. conveying the meaning clearly and simply; easily understood. Hard writing makes easy reading. Plain Language in Spoken Communication. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. The Clarity Journal is distributed free to. Contains guidelines for creating plain language materials, as well as an overview of the plain language movement and tools for trainers. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Buffett from the SEC’s Plain English Handbook, 1998. ”. If in Microsoft Word, a. Plain language writing and design ensures information is concise, inclusive and easy to understand. If a document does not use people-first language, send it back to the writer and ask them to edit it to comply with the style guide. – understand what they find.