Lists highlight a series of steps, requirements, or pieces of information in a visually clear way. This website consists of five sections and a checklist you can print. This guidance sets out the steps agencies should take to comply with the Plain Language Act 2022. Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Plain Language &. Designing for reading is an important part of developing effective communications. Testing your writing to make sure it’s clear to. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. (2) WEBSITE. We continue toListen as they highlight plain language successes. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. Christian Miller said that, internally, the plain language description of ProPublica resonated. The Plain Language and Multilingual communities share a goal of achieving more effective communication. Write for your reader, not yourself. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. Plain Language at NIH. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. The Center supports those who use plain language, trains those who should use plain language, and urges people to demand plain language in all the communications they. Plain language is universal. Try to make your reading ease number go up and. This timeline is an abbreviated and updated version of A History of Plain Language in the Government by Joanne Locke. On the six cards below, learn about what to do before you start writing. There are millions of words in the English language. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Jargon Madness is a plain language conversation starter that cuts across the organizational chart. M. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. 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. 1, May 2011 i Introduction The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. We will explore five stories or themes that show how plain language can increase access. ”A clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. *You work through modules independently, but you must submit group. The purpose of a pla in-lan guage approach in written communications is to convey. Plain language is a way of writing so that more people can easily read and understand your content. You achieve plain English when you use the simplest, most straightforward way of expressing an idea. The Plain Language community is a group of government employees and contractors dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. 1 This tool aims to support a systematic review of your material to ensure it follows plain language guidance and meets the needs Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Tuesday, August 11, 2020 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET. Checklist for Plain Language. (link is external) Everyday Words for Public Health Communication. Agency programs and contacts. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 into law on. 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. ”. Writing in short, simple words doesn’t mean you are ‘dumbing down’ the message. 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). You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Use plainlanguage. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. PLAIN believes the public deserves to understand what its government is doing for them and expects of them. The USDA plain language coordinators can be found by contacting us via plainlanguage@usda. Plain language is not. The Clarity Journal. Thompson illustrates just how helpful they can be. 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. 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. Plain Language. Abstract. Official description. Write for the reader, not for yourself. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. Businesses such as banks, insurance companies, law firms, legal services and IT companies use plain language to communicate with customers. We aim to bring you timely information about the work of CDC and other organizations to improve health literacy. Download the 2021 Report Card. They want to scan, not read. This book shows you how to write for customers and clients in language that's easy to 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. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. U. O. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Words to avoid. In September 2019, the ISO ballot approved the proposal to develop a plain language standard ― that’s when the Working Group was established, and the real work began. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. The mission of the USAGov program is to make it easier for people to find and understand the government services and information they need—anytime, anywhere, any way they want. $350–$930/course, not including textbooks. Write for your reader, not yourself. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. Word choice is an important part of. What is Plain Language? Importance of Plain. And there’s some indication the very first mention of plain language dates back as far as. Mysterious in form and expression, it is larded with law-Latin and Norman-French, heavily dependent on the past, and unashamedly archaic. 8-11-2020 workshop and 9-10-2020 workshop. (a) the document is in English (but see subsection (3) and section 15 ); and. Take your audience’s current level of knowledge into account. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Writing and reference tools. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. ” Writing in plain. Our biannual journal, The Clarity Journal, is the leading source of plain language news and research from across the globe. Agencies are required to take steps to support their people to use plain language. 5, using the Flesch-Kincaid assessment tool in Microsoft Word. Rather, by choosing straightforward vocabulary and sentence structures and by organizing and presenting your material. It improves reading comprehension, accessibility, and ethical action. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. , the Plain Writing Act of 2010 took effect in October 2011 (see below). Your main goal is to convey your ideas with the greatest possible clarity. Then, agencies will simplify and review the content on a regular basis to ensure these documents follow plain language writing and design. When users do not understand court forms, they either complete the forms incorrectly or call the court for more information. Actually, plain English is typically quite interesting to read. 6 What documents must use plain language. The second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . ”. Introduction. Using Plain language: In general, keep language. The Nielsen Norman Group has done multiple studies on PDFs and has consistently found. ”. The aim of a plain-language standard is to provide — for writers everywhere who are working on any type of document, from a letter to legislation — a tool with: The credibility of ISO, its 165 national-standards body members, and more than 22,500 standards. Here are some examples of how using plain language can help clear up clarity problems caused by ambiguous wording. They also didn't have a negative reaction to the simplified content. The journal features the latest plain language research, practical advice, before-and-after examples, success stories, campaign strategies and much more. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. Write in active voice. 1. It’s robust and direct—the opposite of gaudy, pretentious language. and compelling as any other type of language. Contains guidelines for creating plain language materials, as well as an overview of the plain language movement and tools for trainers. 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 is important in written and verbal communication. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. The American Bar Association passed this resolution advising federal agencies to write regulations in plain language. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. Plain language strategy #2: We make shorter. After. ”. – use that information. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. You can also use the toggle on the top right to switch everything to. It avoids verbose, convoluted language and jargon. 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. Virtual International plain language conference (2020) – Access for all : Plain Language is a Civil Right – Part 1. Writing Plain Language for Law (PLNL510) Plain Language in Health Literacy (PLNL520) Technical Writing and Editing (TCOM120) Copy Editing (EDIT210) Learning materials. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. 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. This page last reviewed on. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. 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. everything plain language “p”. 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. [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. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). 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. 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. This Plain Language Thesaurus has been put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing. For example, “Please make an application for a personal loan” is longer and less clear than “Please apply for a personal loan. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Writing in Plain Language. The analysis outlined above is the first step before creating programs and platforms forA clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. Plain language is clearer. ”. A common myth is that plain language is incompatible with teaching complex subjects. People who benefit from plain language includes anyone with a disability that effects their reading ability. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. You may be required to prepare a Plain Language Summary for a journal article submission, a grant application. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. Relax and be natural (but not too informal). Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. Too often, I’ve been unable to decipher just what is. It has become so corrupted by misuse that it has no firm meaning. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Don’t write for an 8th-grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents, or immigrants. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. 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. Plain language lists can help spot problem words and consider alternatives, but keep in mind that plain language is more than just a list of words to avoid—it’s a way of writing. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. “It’s not easily understood. “If you think about it, a lot of the communication that we send out to our families flies in the face of this,” said Ogando. It is clear communication. You may use any of the content on this site without. It means you are communicating your important and complex ideas. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. We continue toOLYMPIA, Wash. But in the process, he wasted at least 30 minutes of two senior executives’ time, not to mention subordinates’ and a consultant’s time. Use summaries to present key information before going into detail. organized to serve the reader’s needs. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. It should summarize your scientific study, its results, and their broader relevance without using jargon so that it is understandable by scientists from outside of your discipline, as well as science journalists. Page 5. To communicate professionally, you need to know when and how to use either active or passive voice. It is simple and direct but not simplistic or patronizing. Use plainlanguage. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. " The January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government also highlights the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. People come to government websites and services with a specific task in mind. Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. These are valuable to a range of readers, including patients, patient advocates, the general public, non-specialist clinicians, research scientists, decision-makers. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Support for plain-writing is growing in the legal professions, which bring us some of our best and most varied examples of plain-writing. 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. " Afrikaans Geskrewe kommunikasie is duidelik (in ‘’plain language’’) wanneer die teikengehoor die inligting wat hulle nodig het,. What is plain language? Nowadays, we have a (fairly) robust understanding of what makes writing readable. 13 Plain Language 13. gov. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. Before. Plain language can be useful in an academic setting. Award winners. The Summit will begin at 10:00 am, ET, and conclude at 3:45 pm, ET. He includes the following words in. Also called plain language . Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. PLAIN offers a variety of introductory classes on plain language. Train-the-trainer bootcamp. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. By October 13 2011, we will use plain language in any new or substantially revised document that:. No. Regulations. 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. 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. Readers call less often for explanations. In this 4-week online training, you will: complete 4 modules (1 module each week) be assigned to a small group. 420. Whether or not there is a government-wide mandate to use plain language as government leaders come and go, the initiative has taken hold. Author: Londell Buckson. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. Choose your words carefully. uses active voice. When we write in the negative, we place another stumbling block in audience’s way and make it more difficult for them to understand us. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. It is language that avoids obscurity, inflated vocabulary and convoluted sentence construction. Words matter. Executive Order 23-02 directs agencies to prioritize their most-viewed, public-facing materials. This page describes how to write in plain language, in these areas: Replace verb-noun phrases and wordy phrases with more precise words; Choose the best word (synonym) with a thesaurus; Use pronouns correctly. This book is as helpful as it is entertaining. This Plain Language Thesaurus has been put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing. Use Microsoft Word’s Readability Statistics feature—part of the Spelling & Grammar check—to measure your progress as you write and edit copy. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. “Shall” has three strikes against it. During the 1970s, some practitioners began to employ usability testing. PLAIN is dedicated to helping federal agencies train their staff to communicate clearly and develop their own plain language programs. Plain language does not mean simplifying or dumbing down. The point is that the process is reversible. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. Plain Language saves money, increases efficiency, and reduces the need for clarification. By the mid-1980s, there was a widespread sense that plain-language advocates. We all do! From language learners to advanced readers, everyone benefits from plain language. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. Every organization has long-term employees who’ve worked in government for decades. In business, a message is only effective when it is understood. 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 Act does not cover regulations. As an author, you should. L. The audiences include, but are not limited to, practitioners, policy makers, the public, and/or professionals in nearby disciplines. Links. People with language impairments often have a reduced vocabulary and learning new terms is a very slow difficult process. In Conclusion. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. Hold informal trainings such as brown bag lunches, one-on-one conversations, and phone calls. In Europe, it’s expected that plain language summaries will. Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized. We continue to revise it every few. 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. See individual courses for textbook details. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. It’s especially important in letters to engage the reader by using pronouns. gov for more guidance on using plain language. March 2011Revision 1, May 2011. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. It should not be confused with an oversimplified, condescending style. It is also called plain English or plain writing. 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. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. ”you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in a few words. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly as possible so it can reach as many people as possible. • Met with representatives from other agencies to discuss plain language procedures and best practices. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Other areas where we see a push toward plain language include the sciences and the legal profession. ”. 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. ”The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. It is intended to make government communications. Provides information about any federal government benefit or service. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) brings together plain language supporters and practitioners from around the world. Complex and Abstract Words. She has trouble seeing, hearing, eating, and sleeping. Our mission PLAIN is the. Using plain language doesn’t mean everyone’s writing must sound the same. Words matter. Plain language is one of our best tools for improving scientific literacy and encouraging wise decision-making by the public on science-based issues. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both. Longer papers are assessed an excess length fee. 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. What’s plain language? Plain language is a writing technique that prioritizes simple words and straightforward sentence structures. has useful headings. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. 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. We provide a free half-day introduction to plain language to federal agencies. 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. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. If in Microsoft Word, a. Using plain language can advance health literacy, build trust in your organization as a source of information, and promote overall community health. Choose your words carefully. As an editor of technical, statistical reports, I see authors making a number of mistakes in approach, execution and English. A study of how users with lower literacy skills read and navigate on the web, for example, found that even users with graduate degrees completed tasks faster when language was simplified. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. In addition. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper — or keystroke to keyboard. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. Agency programs and contacts. Before and after plain language examples demonstrate how scientific documents can be translated into plain language. 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. While the Act does not cover regulations, three separate Executive Orders emphasize the need for plain language: E. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. What is plain language? Communication with clear wording, structure, and design for the intended audience to easily: – find what they need. Avoid PDF overload. 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. Resources. 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. Too many complex words are like hurdles in a race, barriers to understanding which slows readers down. 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. Plain language is good customer service and makes life easier for the public. 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. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. Don’t use slashes. It is also called plain English or plain writing. The Plain Language Commission accredits public documents and websites with the Clear English Standard logo and provides training in plain language. Effective plain language content means that the target audience can read, understand, and confidently act on the information in your content. feedback form posted on the page. We’re a nonprofit organization run entirely on a volunteer basis. Indeed, scientific information conveyed in plain language invariable reaches. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. For this 10th anniversary, we evaluated 21 Executive Branch agencies, including all 15 cabinet-level departments. The intended readership of plain language summaries can include patients, patient advocates, caregivers, members of the media, busy. uses “you” and other pronouns to speak to the reader. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Handbooks and manuals. Contact us if you have suggestions on ways to improve our documents or website. History and timeline. This blog post is the first in a series of three—Plain Language Past and Present—that will showcase early efforts, including Gobbledygook Has Gotta Go, a 1996 pioneering book by Bureau of Land Management employee John O’Hayre. This book has great real-world examples proving how plain language can save your organization money and time. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. According to plainlanguage. . This. Plain language strategy #1: We make shorter paragraphs.