Plain language looks at the whole message from the reader’s perspective, including wording, structure, and design elements. The plain language version has found an audience outside the disability community, too. gov. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. Content types. (2006). 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. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. Plain language is writing designed to be easily understood by all readers the first time it is read. 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 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. And best practices for a patient audience include keeping content between a 6. Apparently, the headquarters writer was trying to impress people with his so-called knowledge of economics terminology. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. uses short sections and short sentences. The Plain Language Thesaurus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers plain language equivalents to medical terms and phrases. The U. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. 8 to 8. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. It helps us write for people who read at all levels of time, interest, education and. In others, such as when you’re writing a blog, you’ll soundMake a commitment. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) website was launched in 1994; regular meetings began in 1995. To provide an opportunity for public feedback, we created the CMS Plain Language . Additionally, Guiding Principles recommends the use of plain language principles along with the use of health equity concepts and the language necessary to accurately and equitably represent all people. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. The use of plain language is spreading in many areas of American culture. Learning. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. (2) WEBSITE. It helps Veterans and their families access and use VA services and benefits. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. Plain Language Summaries (PLS) provide a summary of an article in non-technical, jargon-free language that is understandable to non-specialist audiences. If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political. Federal government. You may be required to prepare a Plain Language Summary for a journal article submission, a grant application. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Handbooks and manuals. Typically it is written at a 6th-8th grade reading level for the. The law requires federal agencies to. Use plain language in any new or substantially revised document . Explain the Federal Plain Language Guidelines. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve communication and takes less time to read and understand. 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. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper—or keystroke to keyboard. 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. Plain Language is a style of copywriting that makes your content easy to understand because it reaches audiences with various reading levels and cognitive abilities. They’re coming together to discuss the plain language and cultural components of effectively. ” Plain language style involves everyday words and. 01 Introduction. Pointing words. Agency programs and contacts. They make fewer errors filling out forms. PLAIN is dedicated to helping federal agencies train their staff to communicate clearly and develop their own plain language programs. – understand what they find. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. 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. This glossary of terms is derived from a list copyrighted by the University of Kentucky. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. ”. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. That makes their writing ambiguous. complete group discussion assignments (usually due Tuesdays and Fridays) spend about 2 hours per week on coursework. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. 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. Making information less complex and more concise How we knew we needed a plain language program In 2010,. ) written for the average reader. In 2021, the Civil Rights Division (CRT) provided Plain Language training both to the Civil Rights Division and to the Department at large. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. 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. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Plain language is typically based on an eighth-grade reading level, as this ensures clarity and simplicity in communication. 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. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. How to Use this Guide In this guide. T. 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. Select the most appropriate. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. [1] The Act applies to public service agencies and Crown agents. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Beginning in 2022, Pfizer will be disclosing the results of all global clinical trials—phases 1 through 4—in plain language. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Plain language is one element of clear communication. It is. Try to make your reading ease number go up and. We have edited this list. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. By using words in. 6 . You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. Lists highlight a series of steps, requirements, or pieces of information in a visually clear way. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. Our five-step checklist will guide you through the plain language process and help you develop content that’s right for your organization. gov, plain language helps the reader: Find what they. has useful headings. Write to the reader, using the pronoun “you” as much as possible. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. 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. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. Writing in Plain Language. 8-11-2020 workshop and 9-10-2020 workshop. Plain Language Resources. Write in the active voice. Writing in short, simple words doesn’t mean you are ‘dumbing down’ the message. i. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. 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. You can also watch the 28-minute, 13-second video on YouTube. On June 1, 1998, President Clinton issued an executive memo. See individual courses for textbook details. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Our biannual journal, The Clarity Journal, is the leading source of plain language news and research from across the globe. plain language. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. We aim to bring you timely information about the work of CDC and other organizations to improve health literacy. [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. Testing your content should be an integral part of your writing and planning process—not just something you just do after the fact. gov. You may use any of the content on this site without. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. Target an 8th - 9th grade reading level. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. Download the 2022 Report Card PDF. Language. Plain Language Writing Act of 2010 The purpose of the Plain Writing Act of 2010 is “to improve the effectiveness and accountability of federal agencies to the public by promoting clear government communication that the public can understand and use. She was born early. Hard writing makes easy reading. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. This article is structured as follows. Plain Language at NIH. 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. Although. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. We evaluated 21 Executive Branch agencies, including all 15 cabinet-level departments. Checklist for Plain Language. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. The purpose of a pla in-lan guage approach in written communications is to convey. 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. In short, you should always aim for clarity, readability, and brevity. The ability to communicate and explain research in plain language is a critical skill. It is also called plain English or plain writing. 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). Plain language avoids unnecessarily complicated or obtuse technical language in favor. gov. • Met with representatives from other agencies to discuss plain language procedures and best practices. , the Plain Writing Act of 2010 took effect in October 2011 (see below). Contains guidelines for creating plain language materials, as well as an overview of the plain language movement and tools for trainers. The long introduction with fancy SAT words might work in college, but it’s not. Visit plainlanguage. We’re a nonprofit organization run entirely on a volunteer basis. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. S. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. 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. Read more to see how plain language can be as . You may use any of the. Resources for using plain language. you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. Use pronouns when you can. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 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 research also necessarily intersects with design (Mazur, 2000). 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 group was and remains the center of the US movement for plain language. feedback form posted on the page. The plain language summaries for completed projects have an average reading level of 8. Rule begins with a useful overview that orients the reader to this complex but well-organized material. It’s a lot of edu-jargon. CDC’s work aligns with the goals and strategies of the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, CDC’s Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy and the federal Plain Writing Act. Hosted by Digital. The most recent example from U. 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. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. We’re accustomed to thinking and speaking positively. uses “you” and other pronouns to speak to the reader. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various. Regulations. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. You may use any of the. A hidden verb (or nominalization) is a verb converted into a noun. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. On the six cards below, learn about what to do before you start writing. We’ll train your managers as well. 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. Describe how writers should handle multiple audiences. You may use any of the. ”. 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. Provides information about any federal government benefit or service. Plain language can be useful in an academic setting. 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. This timeline is an abbreviated and updated version of A History of Plain Language in the Government by Joanne Locke. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. Also called plain language . Plain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. Plain language is clear language. What is plain language? Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Then, agencies will simplify and review the content on a regular basis to ensure these documents follow plain language writing and design. Plain English writing style. By itself, plain language could not have completely alleviated the. What is Plain Language? Importance of Plain. While the day-to-day work of plain language happens in departments, your program won’t thrive without clear expectations from the top. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. Providing training to all staff in a variety of ways, including the Department of Health and Human Services Plain Language online modules, webinars, and in-person training. Replacing complex words with simpler words whenever possible lets your readers concentrate on your ideas and information. Plain and simple. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly. Plain Language. The law requires federal agencies to. In this course, you’ll learn the writing standards and practices outlined within the plain language field. In fact, legalese makes lawyers’ writings so incomprehensible that the US Congress regularly introduces ‘plain language’ Bills to regulate them. Use summaries to present key information before going into detail. Prefer a simpler word whenever you can. Originally called the Plain English Network, PLAIN has been meeting informally since the mid 1990s. A guide for plain language technical writing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an online health literacy training for health professionals. O. Specifically, writing in plain language increases the ability for people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities to access your programming. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. Excellent use of all plain language principles. It helps readers access and use the content without confusion, frustration, or extra. 2010s. 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. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. This can be hard in healthcare where medical terminology and acronyms prevail. Bibliographic resources about health literacy. This chapter will introduce you to the principles of plain language and allow you to practise them. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. Use even shorter paragraphs than on paper. Next, against the background of the. Do your research. The title, authors, affiliations, key points, keywords, text in tables (but not captions) and references are excluded from word counts. Published: 2002. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. Ambiguous Wording Rewritten. There will be two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break for lunch. clear or distinct to the eye or ear. Any paragraph that can be broken up into shorter paragraphs (or into other elements) makes your message more effective. That doesn’t mean that you should put your letter in passive voice. You can see it in action right here! Click the text next to each paragraph to read it in plain language. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 1 This tool aims to support a systematic review of your material. 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. Style guides. When you’re going to meet a friend at the airport, do you say, “If you fail to arrive by 5:00, I cannot pick you up,” or do. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. ” The phrase certainly shouldn’t connote drab and dreary language. Your professor was likely smarter than you were. gov. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. What are Plain Language Summaries (PLS)? PLS sit after the academic abstract. ”. (Active) The police stopped the riot. Plain Writing and Clear Communications. 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. 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. 1. Join 1,990 Plain Language community members. 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. Our growing network includes members from over 30 countries working in clear communication in at least 15 languages. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. This page last reviewed on. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. to make one's meaning plain. 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. Plain Language Act 2022: Guidance for agencies — Te Kawa Mataaho. Plain language is a more complex version of English and baby talk. vivid. Your main goal is to convey your ideas with the greatest possible clarity. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. For other groups, such as people living with dementia, learning new terms is not. org and in the Cochrane Library in a range of languages. Break documents into separate topics. Plain language is important in written and verbal communication. [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. This page last reviewed on. uses “you” and other pronouns to speak to the reader. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the 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. 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. Using plain language [3] helps agencies do this more. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. Plain language is not. Find Canadian and international resources. Writing in Plain Language . Resist the urge to sound formal. ”. Find out about the Plain Writing Act, policy memos, and executive orders that require agencies to use plain language. Choose your words carefully. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. Page 5. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. Enhancing our Web pages. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. These terms are not the only acceptable plain language alternatives for these vocabulary words. ”. Utilize technology tools. The report card evaluates these agencies on organizational compliance and writing quality. 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. , and Nielsen, J. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. Source: International Plain Language Federation. View the Jargon Madness slides (PowerPoint presentation, 1. Some have endings such as -ment, -tion, -sion, and -ance or link. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Government has embraced plain language, and government agencies are revising written materials and websites to comply with plain language standards. It is intended to make government communications. S. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. 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. Apocrypha. Plain Language is a clear way of writing and sharing information so that people can understand it the first time they read or hear it. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. “Shall” has three strikes against it. 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. conveying the meaning clearly and simply; easily understood. 10 Plain Language While there was a time when many business documents were written in the third person to give them the impression of objectivity, this formal style was often passive and wordy. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. Download the 2021 Report Card. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. In healthcare writing, patients are often the intended audience. Jargon Madness is a plain language conversation starter that cuts across the organizational chart. These new website pages apply the task-focused approach and Plain Writing guidelines to encourage skimming, scanning, and selecting. —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. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Speakers address debunking myths, meeting varying audience’s needs,. Law and requirements. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. S. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. 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 (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. (2) WEBSITE. ) places. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Guidelines for writing PLSs have been developed and empirical research on PLSs has been conducted, but terminology and research approaches in this comparatively young field vary considerably. 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. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. Don’t write for an 8th-grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents, or immigrants. Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. During 2021, CRT had a plain language specialist on detail from the Administrative Office of the Courts, and also procured the services of a communications strategy team from GSA’s 18F digital consultancy. And there’s some indication the very first mention of plain language dates back as far as. 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. Online Plain Language Training. A plain language standard provides all sectors, in nearly all languages, with a set of guidelines and strategies to make information more accessible and effective. The purpose of a plain-language approach in written communication is to convey information easily and unambiguously. Modern English, especially written English, is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble. It means you are communicating your important and complex ideas. 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. 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. " The January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government also highlights the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Write in active voice. Our Plain Language Liaisons report on what staff in their units are doing to review and revise documents — view before/after examples. It has 5 general areas to consider: audience and purpose, structure, design, expression, and. This incident shows what an unnecessary time-waster non-plain language can be. Andy Biggs of Arizona, a hardline. Other areas where we see a push toward plain language include the sciences and the legal profession. People who benefit from plain language includes anyone with a disability that effects their reading ability.