It is intended to make government communications. This glossary of terms is derived from a list copyrighted by the University of Kentucky. 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. T. The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group fighting for public information to be written in plain English. Download the 2022 Report Card PDF. Language allows us to communicate our. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. 2010s. Plain language works with whatever style you follow. PLAIN is dedicated to helping federal agencies train their staff to communicate clearly and develop their own plain language programs. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. (the person, group or thing doing the action); (the action itself); and. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. 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. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. Whether or not there is a government-wide mandate to use plain language as government leaders come and go, the initiative has taken hold. Online Plain Language Training. Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in a few words. – understand what they find. 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. 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. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. Don’t write for an 8th-grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents, or immigrants. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. People think I can teach them style. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. ETGAR may serve as a model for learning written communication skills during clinical years, using the. 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. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. Utilize technology tools. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. 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. Step 1: Identify and describe the target. We also continue to work to ensure plain writing is used in public communications related to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would create plain language requirements including:Tuesday, October 27, 2020 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM ET. Plain Language Summaries (PLS) provide a summary of an article in non-technical, jargon-free language that is understandable to non-specialist audiences. We continue to revise it every few. This article is structured as follows. In addition. These “Plain Language Summary for a Pro Se Litigant” sections have now made their way into First Step Act jurisprudence. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. Fortunately, there is a concerted effort to help healthcare professionals incorporate plain language into their daily practice in both oral and written communication. Writers of plain English let their. Plain language means just that: speaking in language that is clear and easy to understand. 5. Choose your words carefully. The plain language definition states, at its core, that plain language is easily and quickly understandable. [9] For instance, the Plain Writing Act 2010 requires US federal agencies to use simple English in their documents so that they can be understood by everyone. (Active) The police stopped the riot. Tommy Thompson, George W. Cost. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. It improves reading comprehension, accessibility, and ethical action. Preface by Warren E. Checklist for Plain Language. President Clinton was an advocate and signed two executive orders and issued a Memorandum on Plain Language in Government Writing. For other groups, such as people living with dementia, learning new terms is not. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. – use that information. We hope you enjoy this post. Principle 1: Use Active Voice. The American Bar Association passed this resolution advising federal agencies to write regulations in plain language. They point to an antecedent. No. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. gov. We believe that using plain language saves government 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. The following Executive Orders emphasize the need for plain language in regulations:Since 2011, the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly report card to show how well federal agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. • Participated in the Plain Language Community of Practice. 5. X: X: X: X: X 40 CFR part 40 Subpart E — Procedures for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing: Uses some plain language principles, but still suffers from some long sections and sentences. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. It is clear communication. Style guides are not a plain language issue, except that your style guide should include directions to write in plain language. Letters and notices. organized to serve the reader’s needs. Introduction. webpage . The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. 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. This clear writing approach is ideal for public sector employees who write to and for King County taxpayers, ratepayers and other clients and customers. 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. The Plain Language Commission accredits public documents and websites with the Clear English Standard logo and provides training in plain language. Keep in mind that the average U. U. Hosted by Digital. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. Plain language has been around in the government for over 40 years. uses short sections and short sentences. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people 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. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Use Microsoft Word’s Readability Statistics feature—part of the Spelling & Grammar check—to measure your progress as you write and edit copy. adult reads at an eight-grade level, which makes. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Plain language can be understood the first time it is read or heard. 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 Plain Language Thesaurus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers plain language equivalents to medical terms and phrases. The public is beginning to see the difference plain, clear writing can make. You know what you are trying to say – make sure the reader does, too. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. The Summit will begin at 10:00 am, ET, and conclude at 3:45 pm, ET. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 1. Yes, you did. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. Hard writing makes easy reading. In fact, organizations such as Plain Language Association InterNational, Clarity International, and the Plain Language Ac -For most journals, Research Articles are allowed to be up to 25 publication units (PU), where 1 PU is 500 words or 1 display element (figure or table). If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political. Her hand shakes so she does not do sign language. Describes why plain language is a promising strategy for clearly communicating health information and improving health literacy. the proper approach to legal writing. It is. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). Other areas where we see a push toward plain language include the sciences and the legal profession. You achieve plain English when you use the simplest, most straightforward way of expressing an idea. readability statistics. Help the reader understand the order in which things happen. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Word choice is an important part of. Content types. 6. Reference Oppenheimer, D. Plain Language. 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). The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Find Canadian and international resources. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to write documents for the public that are easy to understand and use. 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. 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). As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. In short, you should always aim for clarity, readability, and brevity. Testing your writing to make sure it’s clear to. Use even more headings with less under each heading. 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. 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. Agency programs and contacts. 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. Although NIMS guidance only requires plain language use in mutual aid events, the wayThe Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to train their staff in plain language. In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. 1, with a range of 6. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve communication and takes less time to read and understand. History and timeline. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as:. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. 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. American Sign Language. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. This guidance sets out the steps agencies should take to comply with the Plain Language Act 2022. Thanks to internet sorcery, we can even take advantage of free tools to quickly gauge the reading level of our writing. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. 6. We will explore five stories or themes that show how plain language can increase access. (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . 5, using the Flesch-Kincaid assessment tool in Microsoft Word. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. Plain-language documents are accessible and present information in a way that is easy to absorb. A common myth is that plain language is incompatible with teaching complex subjects. Language allows us to communicate our ideas and thoughts. Plain language allows the reader to locate, understand, and act on the information presented. Avoid Overly Complicated Language. Professor Joseph Kimble (2006), a noted scholar on legal writing, warns that we should avoid words and formalisms that give legal writing its musty smell. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. Use lists. Plain language does not mean simplifying or dumbing down. This is the 10th time the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly Report Card evaluating how well agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. 10 Tips to Write in Plain Language. This handbook and Chairman Levitt’s whole drive to encourage “plain English” in disclosure documents, are good news for me. L. Help readers skim and scan. In each section, you will find a number of cards you can flip through to learn. The law requires federal agencies to. If your customers don’t understand your documents, you. In business, a message is only effective when it is understood. Why Use Plain Language? Download Why Use Plain Language? [PDF - 12. Pointing words. The state Department of Health’s Center for Public Affairs has developed resources to help you effectively. It’s not just about the words you choose, but your overall ability to. Looking aheadThe Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. We hope you enjoy this post. Tuesday, August 11, 2020 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET. 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. All of our classes are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and involve interactive writing exercises. Additional plain language history is covered in Plain Language in the U. The Plain Language community is a group of government employees and contractors dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. O. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. Use short lists and bullets to organize information. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. Plain Language Act’s Objectives. This group was and remains the center of the US movement for plain language. Plain language is writing designed to ensure the reader understands as quickly, easily, and completely as possible. For more than forty years, I’ve studied the documents that public companies file. If your preceding paragraph describes the process of strip mining, and your next paragraph begins with “this process causes…,” the word this makes a clear connection between paragraphs. Contact us if you have suggestions on ways to improve our documents or website. Antiquated words flourish words such as herein, therein,Plain language is a necessity and can have a big payoff for both consumers and organizations. In some situations, such as when you’re writing a Congressional letter or summarizing a regulation, you’ll sound more formal. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. Speech given to 600 high-level Mexican public servants at the launching plain language conference Lenguaje ciudadano on the 5th of October 2004. ) places. This plain-language course will: Outline a writer’s obligations under the Plain Writing Act. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. . 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. 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. Write to the reader, using the pronoun “you” as much as possible. The second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . Before and after. Plain language is one element of clear communication. . ”. Bibliographic resources about health literacy. 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. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. The American public deserves plain language communication from its government, and it’s the law. While plain language became law for government agencies, it was also used across different industries to improve communication. Describe how writers should handle multiple audiences. There is no one ‘right’ way to express an idea. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). You can see it in action right here! Click the text next to each paragraph to read it in plain language. A word about “plain English. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 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. Write in the active voice. Complex and Abstract Words. By itself, plain language could not have completely alleviated the. 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 instead of technical terms; Refer to the PRISM Readability Toolkit which contains information about the principles of Plain Language, and examples for improving readability. Our five-step checklist will guide you through the plain language process and help you develop content that’s right for your organization. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. Our five-step checklist will guide you through the plain language process and help you develop content that’s right for your organization. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. They make fewer errors filling out forms. You may use any of the. Also called plain language . Plain language summaries (PLSs) have been introduced to communicate research in an understandable way to a nonexpert audience. Buffett from the SEC’s Plain English Handbook, 1998. The report card evaluates these agencies on organizational compliance and writing quality. ”you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. 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. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. Federal employees speak. Complex topics can be clearly communicated with plain language without losing substance. Plain English is clear, straightforward expression, using only as many words as are necessary. Relax and be natural (but not too informal). PLAIN LANGUAGE •Kyra is autistic and deaf. It is simple and direct but not simplistic or patronizing. 13 Plain Language 13. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The public can contact CMS and send comments about our plain writing efforts via the . Rep. This timeline is an abbreviated and updated version of A History of Plain Language in the Government by Joanne Locke. In the U. You must have at least 20 participants. gov held two online workshops to explain how to write in plain language. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Using plain language can help workplaces communicate. 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. ”The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. Actions are verbs. 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’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . Three days virtual conference dedicated to using plain language to break down barriers in society. “Mike’s talking about a two-step approach with some good language attached to the CR,” Jordan said. I do think there’s an obligation to recognize that if your goal is to inform the. No. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. § Plain language has evolved significantly over the past 75 years—from a focus on crafting clear sentences to creating effective multimedia, electronic, or paper communications. Plain Language saves money, increases efficiency, and reduces the need for clarification. Businesses such as banks, insurance companies, law firms, legal services and IT companies use plain language to communicate with customers. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. 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. Plain Language &. Before You Start Writing. Published: 2002. Simple words help you express your message clearly. S. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. Overview. Plain Writing and Clear Communications. In fact, legalese makes lawyers’ writings so incomprehensible that the US Congress regularly introduces ‘plain language’ Bills to regulate them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an online health literacy training for health professionals. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. In Europe, it’s expected that plain language summaries will. a plain trail to the river. ”A clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. ”the Plain Language Movement, legal language, and rhetoric, and 3. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. 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. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. 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. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. We need trainers to help us provide plain language training to government agencies. 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. Target an 8th - 9th grade reading level. Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes. Federal Plain Language Guidelines. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. The Plain Language Bill is a Member’s bill in the name of Rachel Boyack MP. ” Plain Talk makes it easier for people to read, understand, and use your communications or educational materials. It helps us write for people who read at all levels of time, interest, education and. 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. The law requires federal agencies to. Legalese versus plain language by Peter Butt Legal English has traditionally been a special variety of English. The bigger the block of text, the harder it is to read. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a plain language standard: ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language — Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. It has 5 general areas to consider: audience and purpose, structure, design, expression, and. As the starting point and at every point, design and write the document in a way that best serves the reader. A guide for plain language technical writing. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Virtual Event, 13 October 2020. Plain language works with. Plain language writing and design ensures information is concise, inclusive and easy to understand. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. [1] The Act applies to public service agencies and Crown agents. One legal scholar calls abbreviations a “menace to prose” (Kimble, 2006). We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. On August 24, 2022, the Plain Language Community of Practice (CoP) will bring together federal employees to highlight plain language successes in many federal agencies at all stages of the communications journey. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. Great if you need to explain the importance of plain language to your boss. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. 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. Our biannual journal, The Clarity Journal, is the leading source of plain language news and research from across the globe. Professor Joseph Kimble (2006), a noted scholar on legal writing, warns that we should avoid words and formalisms that give legal writing its musty smell. Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. 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. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. 3. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. To celebrate, we’re putting together a collection of 30 of the people who have kept the campaign thriving. Use pronouns when you can. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. While plain language won’t solve every public health communication challenge, all health communications can be made more efective by communicating plainly. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Choose your words carefully. ” The phrase certainly shouldn’t connote drab and dreary language. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. ”. Plain language can be useful in an academic setting. This page last reviewed on.