Top 10 Principles for 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. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 8 to 8. We evaluated 21 Executive Branch agencies, including all 15 cabinet-level departments. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. No. Principle 1: Use Active Voice. L. gov, plain language helps the reader: Find what they. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. Governments at all levels, especially the federal government, are using plain language more extensively. 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. Morkes, J. Plain Language in Plain English. In the past, Trump has. Adopting plain language in the workplace is sometimes perceived as overly complicated or not really necessary. 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. 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. gov. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. We will explore five stories or themes that show how plain language can increase access. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. 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. ” Writing in plain. Help the reader understand the order in which things happen. 15, to require state agencies to adopt a plain language policy to ensure that information is easy to understand and. Choose your words carefully. 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. Writing that is legible and well-organized is far easier to understand than more traditional styles. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to write documents for the public that are easy to understand and use. 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. Visit plainlanguage. The long introduction with fancy SAT words might work in college, but it’s not. Plain language myths. Meet other Canadians doing plain language work. Actually, plain English is typically quite interesting to read. The material available about plain language is. We’re accustomed to thinking and speaking positively. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. You can also use the toggle on the top right to switch everything to. Right of use means any authorization issued under this part that allows use of Outer Continental Shelf lands. 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. Longer papers are assessed an excess length fee. PLAIN believes the public deserves to understand what its government is doing for them and expects of them. It’s especially important to test our assumptions in government, because we’re often writing for thousands or even millions of people. 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. If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political. ” The phrase certainly shouldn’t connote drab and dreary language. . Instead, put the emphasis on the agency by using “we”. A guide for plain language technical writing. It makes writing easy to read for more people. We’ll train your managers as well. This comprehensive plain language writing guide includes a definition, when to use it, tips for using it, and 10 examples of how to write in plain language. Several months after FCC issued the regulation, the questions had fallen off so far that all. $350–$930/course, not including textbooks. Page 5. ” Plain Talk makes it easier for people to read, understand, and use your communications or educational materials. They also didn't have a negative reaction to the simplified content. 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. Use plain language in any new or substantially revised document . Train-the-trainer bootcamp. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. ) written for the average reader. Providing training to all staff in a variety of ways, including the Department of Health and Human Services Plain Language online modules, webinars, and in-person training. It helps us write for people who read at all levels of time, interest, education and. (link is external) This page last reviewed on May 15, 2023. A discipline that might eventually become known as ‘plain language studies’ is beginning to emerge through the collaboration of individual plain language proponents (plainers for short). The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. Bibliographic resources about health literacy. They want to scan, not read. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. The Plain Language Bill is a Member’s bill in the name of Rachel Boyack MP. An old adage. Words matter. PLS concisely summarize technical content in simple, jargon-free language for ease of reading and improved understanding. Writers of plain English let their. Also called plain language . Plain Language in Spoken Communication. Plain language is important in written and verbal communication. 2. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. She was born early. What is plain language? Nowadays, we have a (fairly) robust understanding of what makes writing readable. Your main goal is to convey your ideas with the greatest possible clarity. What’s plain language? Plain language is a writing technique that prioritizes simple words and straightforward sentence structures. Letters and notices. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance. Replacing complex words with simpler words whenever possible lets your readers concentrate on your ideas and information. Think through the questions your users likely have and then organize the material in a logical order. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references. Language. PLAIN LANGUAGE •Kyra is autistic and deaf. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Style guides are not a plain language issue, except that your style guide should include directions to write in plain language. Plain Writing and Clear Communications. There will be two sessions each day. Support for plain-writing is growing in the legal professions, which bring us some of our best and most varied examples of plain-writing. – understand what they find. A challenge in writing plain language summaries is to avoid oversimplifying terms or concepts, which can lead to content that is misleading or inaccurate, or that. It is also called plain English or plain writing. This plain-language course will: Outline a writer’s obligations under the Plain Writing Act. to explain the importance of the Plain Writing Act and outline CMS’ commitment to full compliance with the Act. Plain Language Materials & Resources. They point to an antecedent. It is also called plain English or plain writing. There will be two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break for lunch. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. It’s not simplified language; it’s direct language that doesn’t contain any flair or fluff. plain language. We all do! From language learners to advanced readers, everyone benefits from plain language. 4. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 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. 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. Before FCC issued the regulation, there were five staff members answering public calls and letters with questions about the FCC’s requirements for operating ham radios. Our Plain Language Partners. 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. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. For example, “Please make an application for a personal loan” is longer and less clear than “Please apply for a personal loan. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Then, agencies will simplify and review the content on a regular basis to ensure these documents follow plain language writing and design. “And/or” is a classic example. Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. Plain Language: Getting Started or Brushing Up. 5: Plain Language. S. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. Using plain language can help workplaces communicate. the proper approach to legal writing. 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. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. *You work through modules independently, but you must submit group. The Office of the Federal Register provides excellent guidance on Drafting Legal Documents. Plain language is a more complex version of English and baby talk. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. Preface by Warren E. (1) In this Act, a document for which a reporting agency is responsible is a relevant document if—. Magistrate Judge Allison Claire, a federal judge based in Sacramento, California, in a case called Muniz v. It aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the public service by requiring communications to be clear and accessible to the public. (Active)Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Established by the Secretary of Homeland Security, NIMS only requires plain language for mutual aid scenarios, though it strongly encourages the use of plain language during day-to-Plain language legal writing refers to legal writing that is well thought-out, well organized, and understandable to the client without interpretation: the language is clear, the legal concepts are explained and the technical terms are defined. A common myth is that plain language is incompatible with teaching complex subjects. Join 1,990 Plain Language community members. gov held two online workshops to explain how to write in plain language. Indeed, scientific information conveyed in plain language invariable reaches. This page last reviewed on. If in Microsoft Word, a. Speech given to 600 high-level Mexican public servants at the launching plain language conference Lenguaje ciudadano on the 5th of October 2004. Historical Quotes. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. Plain language is a movement that started by simplifying unintelligible legal documents, and has now been embraced by governments and businesses around the world. When drafting a plain language text, there are 5 general areas to consider: 1. 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 state Department of Health’s Center for Public Affairs has developed resources to help you effectively. Explain what plain language is and is not. M. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Guidelines for writing PLSs have been developed and empirical research on PLSs has been conducted, but terminology and research approaches in this comparatively young field vary considerably. It’s especially important in letters to engage the reader by using pronouns. Handbooks and manuals. (b) the agency considers that the intended audience for the document is the public generally (rather than 1 or more. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper — or keystroke to keyboard. Plain English is clear, straightforward expression, using only as many words as are necessary. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. We at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to improving our service to you by writing in plain language. (Active) The police stopped the riot. Describes why plain language is a promising strategy for clearly communicating health information and improving health literacy. They make fewer errors filling out forms. . Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. By using words in. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly as possible so it can reach as many people as possible. Avoid the third person when the second person works. Sign up for our weekly health literacy updates. 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. In Europe, it’s expected that plain language summaries will. S. Originally called the Plain English Network, PLAIN has been meeting informally since the mid 1990s. Accusatory use of you. It means you are communicating your important and complex ideas. Plain Language Summaries. 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. Review plain language guidelines for using verbs, nouns, and pronouns. you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. the proper approach to legal writing. 1. Words to avoid. 1. 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. In fact, legalese makes lawyers’ writings so incomprehensible that the US Congress regularly introduces ‘plain language’ Bills to regulate them. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. 10 Tips to Write in Plain Language. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. [2] Public service agencies have a role in informing the public about any requirements and entitlements that might apply to them. In this course, you’ll learn the writing standards and practices outlined within the plain language field. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Plain Language Act 2022: Guidance for agencies — Te Kawa Mataaho. A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended audience can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information. Plain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. Plain Language Summaries (PLS) provide a summary of an article in non-technical, jargon-free language that is understandable to non-specialist audiences. uses short sections and short sentences. 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. For other groups, such as people living with dementia, learning new terms is not. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Avoid PDF overload. Cost. On June 1, 1998, President Clinton issued an executive memo. We must use plain language in any document that – is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes provides information about any federal government benefit or service, or explains to the public. There is no one ‘right’ way to express an idea. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. By the mid-1980s, there was a widespread sense that plain-language advocates. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. Share your thoughts and challenges. 5. 1. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. means you are communicating with your audience in a way . There are millions of words in the English language. ”. Plain language does not mean simplifying or dumbing down. Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. The title, authors, affiliations, key points, keywords, text in tables (but not captions) and references are excluded from word counts. Dictionaries, thesauruses, and grammar sites are excellent tools that can help you clarify your word choice. to make one's meaning plain. Write annual compliance reports and post these reports on its plain language web page. Write in active voice. 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. This clear writing approach is ideal for public sector employees who write to and for King County taxpayers, ratepayers and other clients and customers. Legal Writing Institute Awards: Joe Kimble is chair of the Outreach Committee for the Legal Writing Institute’s Golden Pen Award. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references that we often use. ”. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly. Use even shorter paragraphs than on paper. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). Refer to the reader as you, but not if it sounds accusatory or insulting. The Plain Language Thesaurus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers plain language equivalents to medical terms and phrases. As the starting point and at every point, design and write the document in a way that best serves the reader. Plain language is the key to effective communication, allowing you to get the most important information to the right people as clearly and as effectively as possible. 1, with a range of 6. While plain language won’t solve every public health communication challenge, all health communications can be made more efective by communicating plainly. This award recognizes people who. Federal Plain Language Guidelines. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Although plain language is a familiar idea, many organizations don’t use it as often as they should. 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. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. plain language movement. The point is that the process is reversible. S. It should not be confused with an oversimplified, condescending style. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Your Reader is a Person. Learning. Wednesday, August 24, 2022 10:30 AM – 3:45 PM ET. 6. . The bill would create plain language requirements including:Tuesday, October 27, 2020 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM ET. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. ”. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. 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. Learn more about the government’s plain language standard and find a checklist to help you in your projects. $75 program application fee. Don’t write for an 8th-grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents, or immigrants. 6 MB] Our readers are busy. Also called plain language . Let’s look at two. [10]Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. 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. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various experts and organizations. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. When users do not understand court forms, they either complete the forms incorrectly or call the court for more information. A hidden verb (or nominalization) is a verb converted into a noun. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. He includes the following words in. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. Provides information about any federal government benefit or service. 71 Plain . PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. Download the 2022 Report Card PDF. plain talk. Explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. But in the process, he wasted at least 30 minutes of two senior executives’ time, not to mention subordinates’ and a consultant’s time. Reference Oppenheimer, D. People think I can teach them style. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. Plain Language is a clear way of writing and sharing information so that people can understand it the first time they read or hear it. 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). In “The Effectiveness of Plain Language” study, readers judged the plain language samples as “well-written” 64% of the time and “well-organized” 66% of the time (compared to 48% and 49. Good web content uses: The inverted pyramid style: Begin with the shortest and clearest statement you can make about your topic. Her hand shakes so she does not do sign language. By itself, plain language could not have completely alleviated the. [4] Plain writing, as defined by the PWA, is “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 2010s. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. Resources. Agency programs and contacts. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. These principles are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and tailored for regulations. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a plain language standard: ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language — Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. Modern English, especially written English, is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble. This incident shows what an unnecessary time-waster non-plain language can be. Plain Language Writing Act of 2010 The purpose of the Plain Writing Act of 2010 is “to improve the effectiveness and accountability of federal agencies to the public by promoting clear government communication that the public can understand and use. She has trouble seeing, hearing, eating, and sleeping. 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. Easy to read, easy to understand and easy to use, plain language—plain English— lands your organization in the users’ world. § Research tells us that most readability formulas are. Steps to success 1. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. 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. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) website was launched in 1994; regular meetings began in 1995. Language allows us to communicate our. It is important for scientists to use plain language not only to reach the public; but also to reach one another. 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. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper—or keystroke to keyboard. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. Find out about the Plain Writing Act, policy memos, and executive orders that require agencies to use plain language. in writing programs to identify reading level. § 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. • Met with representatives from other agencies to discuss plain language procedures and best practices. It has 5 general areas to consider: audience and purpose, structure, design, expression, and. Word choice is an important part of. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. Split topics up into logical sections separated by informative. Using Plain Language. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The law requires federal agencies to. Develop a strong plan that is also flexible. How to Apply Plain Language Techniques in Technical Documents. Content types. Fortunately, there is a concerted effort to help healthcare professionals incorporate plain language into their daily practice in both oral and written communication. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. On October 27 and 28, 2020, the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) will bring experts together to explain how plain language can improve our government communication. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. reading level or below. Using plain language on government websites is one of the best ways to reach your target audience. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. Plain language checklist. i. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. 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. Find Canadian and international resources. WHAT IS PLAIN LANGUAGE? Plain language (also known as plain English) is a way of writing or presenting information so that readers can understand it quickly and easily. March 2011Revision 1, May 2011. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Write for your reader, not yourself. Plain language fixes this problem. It . While plain language became law for government agencies, it was also used across different industries to improve communication. A plain language summary exploring a new treatment combination for untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer: enfortumab vedotin plus. Speakers address debunking myths, meeting varying audience’s needs,. Plain English writing style. 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. 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. Her parents think she recognizes a couple dozen signs. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. Stick to your topic. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious. It has become so corrupted by misuse that it has no firm meaning. To celebrate, we’re putting together a collection of 30 of the people who have kept the campaign thriving. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as:.