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 Plain language is good customer service and makes life easier for the publicplain language We provide a free half-day introduction to plain language to federal agencies

The first task for ISO’s plain language Working Group was to complete the Experts’ Draft and to adopt it as Draft 1. 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 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. Half-day presentations. Sign up for our weekly health literacy updates. 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. 1 Using plain language enables you to connect directly and clearly with all audiences - from research participants, to the general public, to research colleagues. has useful headings. The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group fighting for public information to be written in plain English. 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. These resources will help you and your colleagues create better content through plain. Once a sentence approaches 40 words, consider splitting it into two. If your customers don’t understand your documents, you. Law and requirements. Official description. The long introduction with fancy SAT words might work in college, but it’s not. Learn how to apply plain language principles and best practices to your VA website content, and find resources and tools to help you write for your audience. What are Plain Language Summaries (PLS)? PLS sit after the academic abstract. PLAIN believes the public deserves to understand what its government is doing for them and expects of them. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Federal employees speak. President Clinton was an advocate and signed two executive orders and issued a Memorandum on Plain Language in Government Writing. Demand. 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. History and timeline. gov. 6. 5, using the Flesch-Kincaid assessment tool in Microsoft Word. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. While the day-to-day work of plain language happens in departments, your program won’t thrive without clear expectations from the top. PLS concisely summarize technical content in simple, jargon-free language for ease of reading and improved understanding. 2020-2021 Access for All: Plain Language is a Civil Right. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. Minimize abbreviations. Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. The dissatisfaction with legalese sparked the Plain Language Movement in. L. We will explore five stories or themes that show how plain language can increase access. Reports and brochures. Every thought can be expressed in many different ways and the variety comes from the individual way we approach an idea or. Keep it Short. Plain language is a communication that is clear, simple, and easy to understand. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Plain language would have helped clearly communicate the purpose to the public, so there would have been less confusion and mistrust. Your Reader is a Person. But in the process, he wasted at least 30 minutes of two senior executives’ time, not to mention subordinates’ and a consultant’s time. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. It . ” Plain Talk makes it easier for people to read, understand, and use your communications or educational materials. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. These terms are not the only acceptable plain language alternatives for these vocabulary words. The state Department of Health’s Center for Public Affairs has developed resources to help you effectively. They make fewer errors filling out forms. On June 1, 1998, President Clinton issued an executive memo. the proper approach to legal writing. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. This group was and remains the center of the US movement for plain language. Plain language avoids unnecessarily complicated or obtuse technical language in favor. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate clearly. Stick to your topic. 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. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. Although plain language is a familiar idea, many organizations don’t use it as often as they should. 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. The first step is to implement an official plain language policy. This website consists of five sections and a checklist you can print. 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. Before and after. Avoid the third person when the second person works. Federal Plain Language Guidelines. Plain Language. Plain language myths. Before and after plain language examples demonstrate how scientific documents can be translated into plain language. It is a thorough companion to the writing process, with comprehensive guidance and advice on understanding your readers, planning and creating your text, and presenting your words. Regulations. 5. Plain language summaries (PLSs) have been introduced to communicate research in an understandable way to a nonexpert audience. It avoids verbose, convoluted language and jargon. webpage . The Plain Language community is a group of government employees and contractors dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. We commit to write content that is easy to read and understand. 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. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. Learn the definition, guidelines, purposes, and examples of plain language. Plain language is a way of writing so that more people can easily read and understand your content. Our Plain Language Partners. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. Use plainlanguage. 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. Writing and reference tools. conveying the meaning clearly and simply; easily understood. ETGAR may serve as a model for learning written communication skills during clinical years, using the. The loosely organized campaign to encourage legal writers and business writers to write clearly and concisely – without legalese – while preserving. 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. " SAMHSA. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. 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. Use plain language. The audiences include, but are not limited to, practitioners, policy makers, the public, and/or professionals in nearby disciplines. On the six cards below, learn. This plain-language course will: Outline a writer’s obligations under the Plain Writing Act. Using plain language doesn’t mean everyone’s writing must sound the same. " Afrikaans Geskrewe kommunikasie is duidelik (in ‘’plain language’’) wanneer die teikengehoor die inligting wat hulle nodig het,. Online Plain Language Training. Plain Language Act 2022 — New Zealand Legislation. We’re accustomed to thinking and speaking positively. agenda (unless you’re talking about a meeting) advancing; collaborate (use working with) combating (use working against or fighting) Plain language can be understood the first time it is read or heard. Use short sentences: aim for an average word count of 20. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. Outline other rules related to word. X: X: X: X: X 40 CFR part 40 Subpart E — Procedures for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing: Uses some plain language principles, but still suffers from some long sections and sentences. (a) the document is in English (but see subsection (3) and section 15 ); and. Don’t use slashes. 1, with a range of 6. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. This book shows you how to write for customers and clients in language that's easy to understand. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. Mysterious in form and expression, it is larded with law-Latin and Norman-French, heavily dependent on the past, and unashamedly archaic. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). 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. Businesses such as banks, insurance companies, law firms, legal services and IT companies use plain language to communicate with customers. Our first guest is Lynda Harris from New Zealand. Next, against the background of the. An old adage. 2. We need trainers to help us provide plain language training to government agencies. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various. ”. Plain language (also called Plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Beginning in 2022, Pfizer will be disclosing the results of all global clinical trials—phases 1 through 4—in plain language. gov’s presentations and handouts after you become a trainer to create your own plain language training class and/or make your own educational materials based on your training materials and NIH’s plain language resources. ”the Plain Language Movement, legal language, and rhetoric, and 3. You may use any of the. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. 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. Write it into contracts to require any vendors and contractors to follow the plain language, people-first style. Consider your audience. uses short sections and short sentences. Rule begins with a useful overview that orients the reader to this complex but well-organized material. Also called plain language . Page 5. Plain language works with whatever style you follow. 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. Contains guidelines for creating plain language materials, as well as an overview of the plain language movement and tools for trainers. Making information less complex and more concise How we knew we needed a plain language program In 2010,. 6 What documents must use plain language. The Nielsen Norman Group has done multiple studies on PDFs and has consistently found. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. 5: Plain Language. gov. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. Plain language helps you better understand your audience and how your audience uses the content you create. These “Plain Language Summary for a Pro Se Litigant” sections have now made their way into First Step Act jurisprudence. “And/or” is a classic example. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. 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. (1) In this Act, a document for which a reporting agency is responsible is a relevant document if—. Pointing words. 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. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 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. People come to government websites and services with a specific task in mind. Readability is a strong ally in the quest for plain language—the more common and less complex a word, phrase, or. gov. 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. 1. , and Nielsen, J. Learn how they used plain language in COVID-19 agency responses, and how they combined plain language, accessibility, and user experience. i. Plain language has been around in the government for over 40 years. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. Antiquated words flourish words such as herein, therein,Plain language is a necessity and can have a big payoff for both consumers and organizations. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. Too often, I’ve been unable to decipher just what is. No. 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. Overview. agenda (unless you’re talking about a meeting) advancing; collaborate (use working with) combating (use working against or fighting)Plain language can be understood the first time it is read or heard. 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 is specifically relevant in stories that are about disability or intellectual disability, but I think that it should happen in other stories too because people with intellectual disabilities have interests in things that aren’t just disabilities. Download the 2022 Report Card PDF. 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. Use Plain Language instead of technical terms; Refer to the PRISM Readability Toolkit which contains information about the principles of Plain Language, and examples for improving readability. Plain language is writing designed to ensure the reader understands as quickly, easily, and completely as possible. S. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. According to the government's Plain Language. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. This. Pointing words. These days, federal job postings for writers, editors, and many other positions either request or require plain language experience—skills, former training, or even some level of expertise called “mastery. Hosted by Digital. It is clear communication. “And/or” is a classic example. Resources. President Clinton wrote, “By using plain language, we send a clear message about what the government is doing, what it requires, and what service it offers…Plain language documents have logical organization; common, everyday words, except for necessaryPlain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. Word choice is an important part of. Plain Language in Spoken Communication. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. Looking aheadThe Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language writing—and speaking—will help you to get your message across clearly and concisely. Words to avoid. Use lists to help your user focus on important material. In either case, court staff may spend time explaining theAbstract. 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. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance. uses “you” and other pronouns to speak to the reader. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. We hope you enjoy this post. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references. This award recognizes people who. S. The Plain Language Thesaurus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers plain language equivalents to medical terms and phrases. Write to the reader, using the pronoun “you” as much as possible. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. Plain Language Act 2022: Guidance for agencies — Te Kawa Mataaho. Good web content uses: The inverted pyramid style: Begin with the shortest and clearest statement you can make about your topic. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. Plain language engages users best, helping them fulfill their purpose for visiting your site. Plain language is not. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 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). It has become so corrupted by misuse that it has no firm meaning. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. (Active)National Archives staff are continually informed about plain writing through internal newsletter articles, an internal web page, and blog posts on plain writing. 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) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. recent trends in plain language that move beyond comprehension and task com - pletion to building user trust. S. It’s especially important to test our assumptions in government, because we’re often writing for thousands or even millions of people. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Every organization has long-term employees who’ve worked in government for decades. “Mike’s talking about a two-step approach with some good language attached to the CR,” Jordan said. You can also use the toggle on the top right to switch everything to. 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. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Plain language summaries (PLS) are summaries of scientific articles and congress abstracts written in easy-to-read, non-technical language . Writers of plain English let their. One legal scholar calls abbreviations a “menace to prose” (Kimble, 2006). Writing in short, simple words doesn’t mean you are ‘dumbing down’ the message. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. Write in a conversational tone. uses active voice. Use pronouns when you can. Unfortunately, posting too many PDFs can work against your goal of retaining users. It saves people and government time and money and improves the accessibility of your content. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. the proper approach to legal writing. They want to scan, not read. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. By itself, plain language could not have completely alleviated the. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. Writing in Plain Language. Download the 2021 Report Card. 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. Cost. Testing your content should be an integral part of your writing and planning process—not just something you just do after the fact. Plain language checklist. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 promotes clear government communication that the public can understand and use. The Act does not cover regulations. As an author, you should. In healthcare writing, patients are often the intended audience. 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. Use summaries to present key information before going into detail. If your customers don’t understand your documents, you may have to: Answer phone calls. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as:. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. Using Plain language: In general, keep language. Here are some examples, both historical and current. Resources. As an author, you should. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. ”The legal community is moving to a strong preference for “must” as the clearest way to express a requirement or obligation. The USDA plain language coordinators can be found by contacting us via plainlanguage@usda. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. ”. View the Jargon Madness slides (PowerPoint presentation, 1. Select the most appropriate. Some have endings such as -ment, -tion, -sion, and -ance or link. 10 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. Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. The Plain Language Bill is a Member’s bill in the name of Rachel Boyack MP. They make fewer errors filling out forms. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. 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. organized to serve the reader’s needs. 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. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. 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. Checklist for Plain Language. We at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to improving our service to you by writing in plain language. Think through the questions your users likely have and then organize the material in a logical order. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. But as these pages discuss, we still have a long. You may use any of the. Originally called the Plain English Network, PLAIN has been meeting informally since the mid 1990s. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. Complex and Abstract Words. This definition of plain language is ‘reader-based’ and not [a] ‘text-based’ analysis of a writing style. clear or distinct to the eye or ear. 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. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. How to Apply Plain Language Techniques in Technical Documents. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 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 everyone to understand and use health information. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. This construction makes clear to the reader who is to. The law requires federal agencies to. Plain language is information that readers can understand the first time they read it and use easily. What stuff it all is!Help your readers quickly find what they need with these web writing tips: Less is more! Be concise. 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. Before you even begin the writing process, take a step back and make sure you’re aware of what message. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. The Office of Management and Budget issued final guidance to implement the law on April 13, 2011. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes. After. Plain language strategy #2: We make shorter. Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. [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. 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. Our growing network includes members from over 30 countries working in clear communication in at least 15 languages. Hard writing makes easy reading. Word choice is an important part of. Keep the reader in mind as you make decisions about organizing and formatting your health information. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. That makes their writing ambiguous. Plain language is universal. [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.