The Nielsen Norman Group has done multiple studies on PDFs and has consistently found. 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. gov’s presentations and handouts after you become a trainer to create your own plain language training class and/or make your own educational materials based on your training materials and NIH’s plain language resources. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. (link is external) Everyday Words for Public Health Communication. The state Department of Health’s Center for Public Affairs has developed resources to help you effectively. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. Plain language is also known as clear language. 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. Hard writing makes easy reading. We need trainers to help us provide plain language training to government agencies. Long, flowing sentences and the passive voice can occasionally be useful, but they shouldn’t have a large presence in your content. They point to an antecedent. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. Plain language is a more complex version of English and baby talk. The first step is to implement an official plain language policy. The American Bar Association passed this resolution advising federal agencies to write regulations in plain language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use. We’re accustomed to thinking and speaking positively. It helps readers access and use the content without confusion, frustration, or extra. Before and after plain language examples demonstrate how scientific documents can be translated into plain language. How to Apply Plain Language Techniques in Technical Documents. Use plain language in any new or substantially revised document . Watch on. This can be hard in healthcare where medical terminology and acronyms prevail. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. Too many complex words are like hurdles in a race, barriers to understanding which slows readers down. Plain language is personal. to stand in plain view. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. What is plain language? Nowadays, we have a (fairly) robust understanding of what makes writing readable. Plain language allows the reader to locate, understand, and act on the information presented. A clear,. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. gov. In the past, Trump has. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. , and Nielsen, J. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. Plain language has been around in the government for over 40 years. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. You may use any of the. President Clinton was an advocate and signed two executive orders and issued a Memorandum on Plain Language in Government Writing. In addition. the proper approach to legal writing. Plain-language documents are accessible and present information in a way that is easy to absorb. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. ” A plain language summary (PLS) summarizes a scientific study and its results to help people without scientific expertise, or from another. The Summit will begin at 10:00 am, ET, and conclude at 3:45 pm, ET. 7. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. And there’s some indication the very first mention of plain language dates back as far as. (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. – understand what they find. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Download the 2022 Report Card PDF. 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. In healthcare writing, patients are often the intended audience. Split topics up into logical sections separated by informative. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. Download the 2021 Report Card. Her hand shakes so she does not do sign language. Share your thoughts and challenges. “Shall” has three strikes against it. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. 15, to require state agencies to adopt a plain language policy to ensure that information is easy to understand and. Don’t write for an 8th-grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents, or immigrants. Legalese versus plain language by Peter Butt Legal English has traditionally been a special variety of English. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Plain language summaries (PLSs) have been introduced to communicate research in an understandable way to a nonexpert audience. ”. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. 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. By the mid-1980s, there was a widespread sense that plain-language advocates. 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 universal. It is intended to make government communications. The dissatisfaction with legalese sparked the Plain Language Movement in. Train-the-trainer bootcamp. gov. Federal Plain Language Guidelines. Hidden verbs come in two forms. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Plain language is a movement that started by simplifying unintelligible legal documents, and has now been embraced by governments and businesses around the world. Plain language Definitions "A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references that we often use. 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. The American public deserves plain language communication from its government, and it’s the law. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. 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. It is a thorough companion to the writing process, with comprehensive guidance and advice on understanding your readers, planning and creating your text, and presenting your words. uses short sections and short sentences. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. Our trainers are federal employees from across. The audiences include, but are not limited to, practitioners, policy makers, the public, and/or professionals in nearby disciplines. 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. Write in the active voice. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. Plain language is one of our best tools for improving scientific literacy and encouraging wise decision-making by the public on science-based issues. (Active) The police stopped the riot. If in Microsoft Word, a. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. , the Plain Writing Act of 2010 took effect in October 2011 (see below). Plain language summaries (PLS) are summaries of scientific articles and congress abstracts written in easy-to-read, non-technical language . Many you have never heard before, and many you may have heard but don’t know their correct definition, spelling, or pronunciation. The Plain Language community is a group of government employees and contractors dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. determine if such treaties are becoming easier to read or if improvements are still needed. We will explore five stories or themes that show how plain language can increase access. Plain language (also called Plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references. Plain English is clear, straightforward expression, using only as many words as are necessary. The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group fighting for public information to be written in plain English. Being direct and plainspoken is not talking down. 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. M. Select the most appropriate. choices at a 6th grade. It is also called plain English or plain writing. The Plain Language Summary (PLS) should convey the same information as the Abstract but in a completely different language and tone. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. 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. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious. The material available about plain language is. What is Plain Language? Importance of Plain. Effective plain language content means that the target audience can read, understand, and confidently act on the information in your content. There will be two sessions each day. Pointing words. We continue toListen as they highlight plain language successes. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language 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. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. We continue toOLYMPIA, Wash. to explain the importance of the Plain Writing Act and outline CMS’ commitment to full compliance with the Act. 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. Plain language is important in written and verbal communication. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. They concluded that the organization did not have a true process or standard for. 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. Use summaries to present key information before going into detail. L. Thanks to internet sorcery, we can even take advantage of free tools to quickly gauge the reading level of our writing. Writing Plain Language for Law (PLNL510) Plain Language in Health Literacy (PLNL520) Technical Writing and Editing (TCOM120) Copy Editing (EDIT210) Learning materials. Find out about the Plain. gov. As an editor of technical, statistical reports, I see authors making a number of mistakes in approach, execution and English. gov. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 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. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. Antiquated words flourish words such as herein, therein,Plain language is a necessity and can have a big payoff for both consumers and organizations. Your professor was likely smarter than you were. ”The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. Language. The National Library of Medicine provides bibliographies, sorted by year, citing many documents about health literacy. Trump also intends to circumvent the 14th Amendment so that he can end birthright citizenship for the children of unauthorized immigrants. It’s not just about the words you choose, but your overall ability to. Words matter. People think I can teach them style. Please feel free to use these terms in place of medical jargon, wherever you feel they might be better understood. The law requires federal agencies to. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. The material available about plain language is. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. In a user’s manual, people are trying to do tasks—actions. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. 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. Speakers address debunking myths, meeting varying audience’s needs,. Plain language movements originated in the 1970s in several countries, including the UK, US and Canada. While the Act does not cover regulations, three separate Executive Orders emphasize the need for plain language: E. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate clearly. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese, doublespeak, gibberish, gobbledygook, skotison. Plain language makes information easier to find, read and understand. The journal features the latest plain language research, practical advice, before-and-after examples, success stories, campaign strategies and much more. 8 to 8. . Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. to make one's meaning plain. Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. On the six cards below, learn about what to do before you start writing. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. The title, authors, affiliations, key points, keywords, text in tables (but not captions) and references are excluded from word counts. 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. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. He includes the following words in. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. The intended readership of plain language summaries can include patients, patient advocates, caregivers, members of the media, busy. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 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. This page last reviewed on. Review plain language guidelines for using verbs, nouns, and pronouns. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. This glossary of terms is derived from a list copyrighted by the University of Kentucky. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. The law requires federal agencies to. 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. ”the Plain Language Movement, legal language, and rhetoric, and 3. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both organizational compliance. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. (1) In this Act, a document for which a reporting agency is responsible is a relevant document if—. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. adult reads at an eight-grade level, which makes. Clear words benefit individuals who live with cognitive and learning disabilities, language impairments, memory impairments, and autism. Actions are verbs. Agency programs and contacts. “Shall” has three strikes against it. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. 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). Using plain language doesn’t mean everyone’s writing must sound the same. Plain Language WebsiteUsing Plain Language makes it easier for the reader to accurately interpret your message. USA. Good web content uses: The inverted pyramid style: Begin with the shortest and clearest statement you can make about your topic. Reports and brochures. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. Testing your writing to make sure it’s clear to. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. While plain language became law for government agencies, it was also used across different industries to improve communication. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. Plain 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. ) written for the average reader. 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. Bibliographic resources about health literacy. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Beginning in 2022, Pfizer will be disclosing the results of all global clinical trials—phases 1 through 4—in plain language. “And/or” is a classic example. (2006). You may be required to prepare a Plain Language Summary for a journal article submission, a grant application. That doesn’t mean that you should put your letter in passive voice. Explain what plain language is and is not. Award winners. Using Plain Language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to train staff to use plain language when they communicate with. It improves reading comprehension, accessibility, and ethical action. Use short sentences: aim for an average word count of 20. The Plain Language Act applies to content in English that is intended for the general public. 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. One legal scholar calls abbreviations a “menace to prose” (Kimble, 2006). Help readers skim and scan. 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. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. She was born early. plain language. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. Just because someone can read instructions written at a grade 14 level doesn’t mean they. 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. For other groups, such as people living with dementia, learning new terms is not. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. ” Writing in plain. As the starting point and at every point, design and write the document in a way that best serves the reader. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. Cost. 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 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. Plain Writing and Clear Communications. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. recent trends in plain language that move beyond comprehension and task com - pletion to building user trust. [10]Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. It is important for scientists to use plain language not only to reach the public; but also to reach one another. plain talk. You can see it in action right here! Click the text next to each paragraph to read it in plain language. Use Plain Language instead of technical terms; Refer to the PRISM Readability Toolkit which contains information about the principles of Plain Language, and examples for improving readability. . Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. 1. " The January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government also highlights the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Plain-language research also necessarily intersects with design (Mazur, 2000). 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. Maintained Plain Language intranet and internet webpages. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. All of these help users connect to the text and cue the user better than nouns do. Minimize abbreviations. Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in a few words. It’s a lot of edu-jargon. ”. The Clarity Journal is distributed free to. It’s not simplified language; it’s direct language that doesn’t contain any flair or fluff. View these before and after examples to see how the National Archives is. 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. It aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the public service by requiring communications to be clear and accessible to the public. Plain Language in Plain English. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper — or keystroke to keyboard. 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. (the person, group or thing doing the action); (the action itself); and. Rule begins with a useful overview that orients the reader to this complex but well-organized material. It might be science journalists, healthcare practitioners, academic professionals, policymakers or the general public; they need to understand and engage with the research. T. Content types. 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. There will be two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break for lunch. Before and after. The point is that the process is reversible. Steps to success 1. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. a plain trail to the river. Here are some examples, both historical and current. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. Direct, accessible language is often called plain 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. “It’s not easily understood. Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. 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. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. ” Plain Talk makes it easier for people to read, understand, and use your communications or educational materials. Using plain language on government websites is one of the best ways to reach your target audience. Plain and simple. 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. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. This page last reviewed on. Words to avoid. Outline other rules related to word. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. gov. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a plain language standard: ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language — Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. S. For more than forty years, I’ve studied the documents that public companies file. We at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to improving our service to you by writing in plain language. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. 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. Businesses such as banks, insurance companies, law firms, legal services and IT companies use plain language to communicate with customers. Plain Language &. Plain language summaries are designed to be readily understood by anyone who is interested in the content of peer-reviewed research articles, be they specialists or non-specialists Citation 5, Citation 6. 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). Accusatory use of you. This website consists of five sections and a checklist you can print. It offers. Meet other Canadians doing plain language work. President Clinton wrote, “By using plain language, we send a clear message about what the government is doing, what it requires, and what service it offers…Plain language documents have logical organization; common, everyday words, except for necessaryPlain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. This book shows you how to write for customers and clients in language that's easy to understand. 3. 4. Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. Consider your audience. organized to serve the reader’s needs. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. At [Agency Name], we are committed to writing in plain language and using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines: We have. Apparently, the headquarters writer was trying to impress people with his so-called knowledge of economics terminology. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. Don’t use slashes. On June 1, 1998, President Clinton issued an executive memo. This group was and remains the center of the US movement for plain language. We continue to revise it every few. Virtual International plain language conference (2020) – Access for all : Plain Language is a Civil Right – Part 1. It is also called plain English or plain writing. Also called plain language . U. Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. Use even more headings with less under each heading. Specifically, writing in plain language increases the ability for people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities to access your programming. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. Federal employees speak. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. Actually, plain English is typically quite interesting to read. This award recognizes people who. We aim to bring you timely information about the work of CDC and other organizations to improve health literacy. Simple words help you express your message clearly. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Plain language is clear, concise, and easily understood the first time someone reads or hears it. Stick to your topic. This construction makes clear to the reader who is to. 5. $350–$930/course, not including textbooks. Thompson illustrates just how helpful they can be. PLAIN offers free consultation to federal agencies on how to start an internal agency plain language program. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. Plain language is writing designed to be easily understood by all readers the first time it is read. Prefer a simpler word whenever you can. Testing Your Document’s Readability. You can flip the cards. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. A great deal of research connected to the Center for Civic Design has well established the design/plain language relationship through effective voting ballots. If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political. We must use plain language in any document that. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). the proper approach to legal writing. Plain language is writing designed to ensure the reader understands as quickly, easily, and completely as possible. It helps Veterans and their families access and use VA services and benefits. Tommy Thompson, George W.