Our first guest is Lynda Harris from New Zealand. We will explore five stories or themes that show how plain language can increase access. Plain language writing—and speaking—will help you to get your message across clearly and concisely. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. Through numerous exercises as well as examples from a variety of federal and state. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. PLAIN LANGUAGE definition: language that is clear and easy to understand , with no ambiguity or unnecessarily. We must use plain language in any document that. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and. § Research tells us that most readability formulas are. 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. 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. Before you even begin the writing process, take a step back and make sure you’re aware of what message. 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. S Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Veterans Benefits Administration (to. Contact us if you have suggestions on ways to improve our documents or website. That makes their writing ambiguous. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use. —The plain writing section described under paragraph (1)(E) shall— (A) inform the public of agency compliance with the requirements of this Act; and (B) provide a mechanism for the agency to receive and respond to public input on— (i) agency implementation of this Act; and (ii) the agency reports required under section 5. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. Reference Oppenheimer, D. Plain language does not mean simplifying or dumbing down. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. Plain language writing and design ensures information is concise, inclusive and easy to understand. Just because someone can read instructions written at a grade 14 level doesn’t mean they. The plain language definition states, at its core, that plain language is easily and quickly understandable. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. Our Plain Language Liaisons report on what staff in their units are doing to review and revise documents — view before/after examples. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. (2006). We all do! From language learners to advanced readers, everyone benefits from plain language. Author: Londell Buckson. Then, agencies will simplify and review the content on a regular basis to ensure these documents follow plain language writing and design. Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please, Joseph Kimble, 2012. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. to make one's meaning plain. 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. It’s especially important in letters to engage the reader by using pronouns. It is. 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 construction makes clear to the reader who is to. ”. Plain language is useful for everyone, and crucial for users with language barriers and cognitive challenges. [10]Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. 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. 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. You can also use the toggle on the top right to switch everything to. She has trouble seeing, hearing, eating, and sleeping. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. A hidden verb (or nominalization) is a verb converted into a noun. Email plainwriting@nara. A study of how users with lower literacy skills read and navigate on the web, for example, found that even users with. A great deal of research connected to the Center for Civic Design has well established the design/plain language relationship through effective voting ballots. [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. S. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. For example, “Please make an application for a personal loan” is longer and less clear than “Please apply for a personal loan. What are Plain Language Summaries (PLS)? PLS sit after the academic abstract. Published: 2004. 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. Use positive language. It has become so corrupted by misuse that it has no firm meaning. Businesses such as banks, insurance companies, law firms, legal services and IT companies use plain language to communicate with customers. There will be two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break for lunch. uses short sections and short sentences. We continue to revise it every few. 2. Plain language strategy #2: We make shorter. We hope you enjoy this post. The law requires federal agencies to. 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. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. S. “And/or” is a classic example. 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 and Multilingual communities share a goal of achieving more effective communication. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. People with language impairments often have a reduced vocabulary and learning new terms is a very slow difficult process. Plain language is a way of writing that makes the message easy to read, understand, and act upon by the intended audience. ”. Break documents into separate topics. A guide for plain language technical writing. Three days virtual conference dedicated to using plain language to break down barriers in society. Please feel free to use these terms in place of medical jargon, wherever you feel they might be better understood. Thompson illustrates just how helpful they can be. 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. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to write documents for the public that are easy to understand and use. “It’s not easily understood. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Using plain language doesn’t mean everyone’s writing must sound the same. 12988, and. Apocrypha. [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. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. Language. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. Plain Language While there was a time when many business documents were written in the third person to give them the impression of objectivity, this formal style was often passive and wordy. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. You may use any of the. • Participated in the Plain Language Community of Practice. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. 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. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. a plain trail to the river. Use even shorter paragraphs than on paper. It is clear communication. Plain. Government has embraced plain language, and government agencies are revising written materials and websites to comply with plain language standards. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. The USDA plain language coordinators can be found by contacting us via plainlanguage@usda. Content types. The Plain Language Thesaurus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers plain language equivalents to medical terms and phrases. Speakers address debunking myths, meeting varying audience’s needs,. For example, the phrase “people who are incarcerated” is wordier but more representative and equitable than the term “inmates. Start by researching your topic, understanding your audience, and planning and organizing how you will present your information. the proper approach to legal writing. ”The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. 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. “Mike’s talking about a two-step approach with some good language attached to the CR,” Jordan said. gov. And best practices for a patient audience include keeping content between a 6. PLAIN offers free consultation to federal agencies on how to start an internal agency plain language program. 6 What documents must use plain language. The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group fighting for public information to be written in plain English. Our mission PLAIN is the. In short, you should always aim for clarity, readability, and brevity. Author: Barbro Ehrenberg-Sundin. 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. After. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: . As an author, you should. 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. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. Avoid the third person when the second person works. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. (a) the document is in English (but see subsection (3) and section 15 ); and. Next, against the background of the. Steps to success 1. ) written for the average reader. They want to scan, not read. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Once a sentence approaches 40 words, consider splitting it into two. 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 English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. In this 4-week online training, you will: complete 4 modules (1 module each week) be assigned to a small group. We have edited this list. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. Choose everyday words: the shorter the word, the more likely it will be familiar to the reader. They’re coming together to discuss the plain language and cultural components of effectively. Plain Language Act 2022: Guidance for agencies — Te Kawa Mataaho. You may have been toiling away for years to change wordy. Use even more headings with less under each heading. 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). Here are some examples, both historical and current. 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. L. Choose your words carefully. 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. This Plain Language Thesaurus has been put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing. This page last reviewed on. (Active) The police stopped the riot. The American Bar Association passed this resolution advising federal agencies to write regulations in plain language. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. Award winners. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. Plain language checklist. to explain the importance of the Plain Writing Act and outline CMS’ commitment to full compliance with the Act. Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. Write explanatory letters. 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. S. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. Plain language fixes this problem. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. It is also called plain English or plain writing. How to Use this Guide In this guide. The Clarity Journal is distributed free to. The U. He includes the following words in. 5: Plain Language. You can see it in action right here! plain language. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Describe how writers should handle multiple audiences. You may use these materials as the basis of your own class. Designing for reading is an important part of developing effective communications. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. Testing your writing to make sure it’s clear to. You can flip the cards. They also didn't have a negative reaction to the simplified content. In business, a message is only effective when it is understood. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. PLAIN believes the public deserves to understand what its government is doing for them and expects of them. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. All of these help users connect to the text and cue the user better than nouns do. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Plain Writing Act of 2010. The material available about plain language is. has useful headings. ”. Adopting plain language in the workplace is sometimes perceived as overly complicated or not really necessary. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. 54 MB, 34 pages) from Laura Rabuck’s 2022 Federal Plain Language Summit presentation. gov. What’s plain language? Plain language is a writing technique that prioritizes simple words and straightforward sentence structures. Explain the Federal Plain Language Guidelines. L. The English language allows many ways to. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. We’ll train your managers as well. org and in the Cochrane Library in a range of languages. 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. Communicating Research Intent and Value in NIH Applications. 10 Tips to Write in Plain Language. This definition of plain language is ‘reader-based’ and not [a] ‘text-based’ analysis of a writing style. The Clarity Journal. In some situations, such as when you’re writing a Congressional letter or summarizing a regulation, you’ll sound more formal. Page 5. Target an 8th - 9th grade reading level. Plain Writing and Clear Communications. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. Plain Language Resources. ”. Find out about the Plain Writing Act, policy memos, and executive orders that require agencies to use plain language. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. Support for plain-writing is growing in the legal professions, which bring us some of our best and most varied examples of plain-writing. to stand in plain view. Our biannual journal, The Clarity Journal, is the leading source of plain language news and research from across the globe. Cost. Plain language is clearer. The American public deserves plain language communication from its government, and it’s the law. 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. The most recent example from U. *You work through modules independently, but you must submit group. Select the most appropriate. The audiences include, but are not limited to, practitioners, policy makers, the public, and/or professionals in nearby disciplines. Plain Language WebsiteUsing Plain Language makes it easier for the reader to accurately interpret your message. Plain language looks at the whole message from the reader’s perspective, including wording, structure, and design elements. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. This book has great real-world examples proving how plain language can save your organization money and time. Also called plain language . Indeed, scientific information conveyed in plain language invariable reaches. 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. It’s especially important to test our assumptions in government, because we’re often writing for thousands or even millions of people. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. She was very small when she was born. Visit plainlanguage. The plain language version has found an audience outside the disability community, too. The public can contact CMS and send comments about our plain writing efforts via the . We’re accustomed to thinking and speaking positively. Specifically, writing in plain language increases the ability for people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities to access your programming. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. Posting PDF versions (PDFs) of original documents on your site would seem to be an obvious alternative to rewriting your content in web format. It is simple and direct but not simplistic or patronizing. 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. 7. Hosted by Digital. Ambiguous Wording Rewritten. 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 loosely organized campaign to encourage legal writers and business writers to write clearly and concisely – without legalese – while preserving. We continue toOLYMPIA, Wash. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. We at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to improving our service to you by writing in plain language. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Use plainlanguage. ”A clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. Long, flowing sentences and the passive voice can occasionally be useful, but they shouldn’t have a large presence in your content. Plain Language. 2010s. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both organizational compliance. Hard writing makes easy reading. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Additional plain language history is covered in Plain Language in the U. In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. T. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. It is intended to make government communications. Why Use Plain Language? Download Why Use Plain Language? [PDF - 12. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an online health literacy training for health professionals. Don’t use slashes. Federal employees speak. Words to avoid. 3. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. Plain Language is nothing more than the using clear, familiar language that a range of people can understand. 6 . The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). In addition. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Fortunately, there is a concerted effort to help healthcare professionals incorporate plain language into their daily practice in both oral and written communication. Resist the urge to sound formal. (2) WEBSITE. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Apparently, the headquarters writer was trying to impress people with his so-called knowledge of economics terminology. Every thought can be expressed in many different ways and the variety comes from the individual way we approach an idea or. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. You may be required to prepare a Plain Language Summary for a journal article submission, a grant application. Every organization has long-term employees who’ve worked in government for decades. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized. Complex topics can be clearly communicated with plain language without losing substance. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. Writing in Plain Language. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. These are valuable to a range of readers, including patients, patient advocates, the general public, non-specialist clinicians, research scientists, decision-makers. 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. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Introduction. The Plain Language Commission accredits public documents and websites with the Clear English Standard logo and provides training in plain language. Plain Language. gov. plain language movement. According to plainlanguage. The use of plain language is spreading in many areas of American culture. It is also called plain English or plain writing. Use plain language. 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. Describes why plain language is a promising strategy for clearly communicating health information and improving health literacy. Plain Language Training Resources . . ” The phrase certainly shouldn’t connote drab and dreary language. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Relax and be natural (but not too informal). They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. Some of that spilled over to Twitter: We also published this story in more accessible plain-language English, audio & Spanish. Plain Language &. Style guides. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. clear or distinct to the eye or ear. Principles of Plain Language (PPTX), our original plain language class; Plain Language and Writing for the Web (PPTX), based on Principles, but with a web focusPfizer began sharing study results in plain language with the general public in May 2021, and people can expect to see more and more of it in the future. Think through the questions your users likely have and then organize the material in a logical order. ” Plain language style involves everyday words and. Take your audience’s current level of knowledge into account. You know what you are trying to say – make sure the reader does, too. Write for your reader, not yourself. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly. Plain language allows the reader to locate, understand, and act on the information presented. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. There are millions of words in the English language. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. i. In her literature review “ Plain Language in the U. By October 13 2011, we will use plain language in any new or substantially revised document that:. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. 8 to 8. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. For other groups, such as people living with dementia, learning new terms is not. Words to avoid. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. 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. gov held two online workshops to explain how to write in plain language. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. Plain language (also called Plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. During the 1970s, some practitioners began to employ usability testing. read more. Plain Language Summaries. 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 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. reading level or below. At [Agency Name], we are committed to writing in plain language and using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines: We have. ETGAR may serve as a model for learning written communication skills during clinical years, using the. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. 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. Tuesday, August 11, 2020 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET. President Clinton was an advocate and signed two executive orders and issued a Memorandum on Plain Language in Government Writing. You’ll also develop a sensitivity to the issues of literacy and work toward. has useful headings. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. In Europe, it’s expected that plain language summaries will. On the six cards below, learn about what to do before you start writing.