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. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an online health literacy training for health professionals. This page last reviewed on. Write for the reader, not for yourself. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. Readers call less often for explanations. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. 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. You can see how shorter paragraphs improve your readability score. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly as possible so it can reach as many people as possible. Style guides are not a plain language issue, except that your style guide should include directions to write in plain language. Checklist for Plain Language. In either case, court staff may spend time explaining theAbstract. Plain language is one of our best tools for improving scientific literacy and encouraging wise decision-making by the public on science-based issues. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Why Use Plain Language? Download Why Use Plain Language? [PDF - 12. Explain what plain language is and is not. 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. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. • Participated in the Plain Language Community of Practice. It has 5 general areas to consider: audience and purpose, structure, design, expression, and. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. This page describes how to write in plain language, in these areas: Replace verb-noun phrases and wordy phrases with more precise words; Choose the best word (synonym) with a thesaurus; Use pronouns correctly. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. Before You Start Writing. to make one's meaning plain. complete group discussion assignments (usually due Tuesdays and Fridays) spend about 2 hours per week on coursework. 5. You may use any of the. However, abbreviations have proliferated so much in government writing that they constantly require the reader to look back to earlier pages, or to consult an. The Center for Plain Language, a non-profit organization, helps government agencies and businesses write clear and understandable communications. 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. During 2021, CRT had a plain language specialist on detail from the Administrative Office of the Courts, and also procured the services of a communications strategy team from GSA’s 18F digital consultancy. Language. 6 MB] Our readers are busy. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. 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. Our biannual journal, The Clarity Journal, is the leading source of plain language news and research from across the globe. The Office of Management and Budget issued final guidance to implement the law on April 13, 2011. Plain language is a communication that is clear, simple, and easy to understand. Plain language writing—and speaking—will help you to get your message across clearly and concisely. Any paragraph that can be broken up into shorter paragraphs (or into other elements) makes your message more effective. A hidden verb (or nominalization) is a verb converted into a noun. org and in the Cochrane Library in a range of languages. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Governments at all levels, especially the federal government, are using plain language more extensively. What’s plain language? Plain language is a writing technique that prioritizes simple words and straightforward sentence structures. Use summaries to present key information before going into detail. Short Definition of Plain Language. Plain language also has the secondary benefit of potentially saving courts time and money. 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. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. People who benefit from plain language includes anyone with a disability that effects their reading ability. Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. 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. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 into law on. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. The Plain Language Bill is a Member’s bill in the name of Rachel Boyack MP. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. Using plain language on government websites is one of the best ways to reach your target audience. Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. The following Executive Orders emphasize the need for plain language in regulations:Since 2011, the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly report card to show how well federal agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. They make fewer errors filling out forms. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. Tommy Thompson, George W. Your Reader is a Person. This can be hard in healthcare where medical terminology and acronyms prevail. 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. ” Plain language style involves everyday words and. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. 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. Visit plainlanguage. This is crucial. 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. feedback form posted on the page. Learn the definition, guidelines, purposes, and examples of plain language. Too many complex words are like hurdles in a race, barriers to understanding which slows readers down. 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. Find Canadian and international resources. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. No. But plain language, which is often used interchangeably for plain English or plain writing, is not just best practice or common sense, it is also the law. Words to avoid. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. It is communication your audience can understand the first time they encounter it. The plain language summaries for completed projects have an average reading level of 8. Plain language writing and design ensures information is concise, inclusive and easy to understand. As the starting point and at every point, design and write the document in a way that best serves the reader. means you are communicating with your audience in a way . They are emerging as a valuable addition to scientific publications because they have the potential to increase the understanding of scientific data, by making complex information more accessible to wider. But in the process, he wasted at least 30 minutes of two senior executives’ time, not to mention subordinates’ and a consultant’s time. In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. Step 1: Identify and describe the target. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. Antiquated words flourish words such as herein, therein,Plain language is a necessity and can have a big payoff for both consumers and organizations. The Plain Language Action and Information Network defines plain language, also called plain writing or plain English as “communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use. a plain trail to the river. “Mike’s talking about a two-step approach with some good language attached to the CR,” Jordan said. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand by your intended audience. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. Explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces. ”4. One legal scholar calls abbreviations a “menace to prose” (Kimble, 2006). You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Download the 2022 Report Card PDF. The American public deserves plain language communication from its government, and it’s the law. Plain Language Resources. . 5, using the Flesch-Kincaid assessment tool in Microsoft Word. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. Plain-language documents are accessible and present information in a way that is easy to absorb. History and timeline. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. It offers. Plain Language. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. Rule begins with a useful overview that orients the reader to this complex but well-organized material. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. Plain Language in Sweden, the Results After 30 Years. The law requires that federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use. When drafting a plain language text, there are 5 general areas to consider: 1. On the six cards below, learn about what to do before you start writing. ) places. (Active) The police stopped the riot. choices at a 6th grade. Professor Joseph Kimble (2006), a noted scholar on legal writing, warns that we should avoid words and formalisms that give legal writing its musty smell. Plain Language in Plain English. Reports and brochures. We’re a nonprofit organization run entirely on a volunteer basis. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. 1. . Apparently, the headquarters writer was trying to impress people with his so-called knowledge of economics terminology. Her hand shakes so she does not do sign language. March 2011Revision 1, May 2011. Sign up for our weekly health literacy updates. The U. 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. 3. If you have an update, please let us know at info@plainlanguage. Before. Plain language is also known as clear language. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. At [Agency Name], we are committed to writing in plain language and using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines: We have. 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. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. On June 1, 1998, President Clinton issued an executive memo. In healthcare writing, patients are often the intended audience. It is intended to make government communications. 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. They concluded that the organization did not have a true process or standard for communication, and as a result implemented plain language as the standard. S. Plain language is one element of clear communication. After. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. It’s especially important in letters to engage the reader by using pronouns. When users do not understand court forms, they either complete the forms incorrectly or call the court for more information. 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. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. 3. Clear words benefit individuals who live with cognitive and learning disabilities, language impairments, memory impairments, and autism. They point to an antecedent. $75 program application fee. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. The material available about plain language is. (2006). The second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . 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. This guidance sets out the steps agencies should take to comply with the Plain Language Act 2022. T. Start by researching your topic, understanding your audience, and planning and organizing how you will present your information. Being direct and plainspoken is not talking down. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. Plain language refers to clear communication that an audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. It is also called plain English or plain writing. Links. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Right of use means any authorization issued under this part that allows use of Outer Continental Shelf lands. 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. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. This book shows you how to write for customers and clients in language that's easy to understand. Thanks to internet sorcery, we can even take advantage of free tools to quickly gauge the reading level of our writing. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. (link is external) Everyday Words for Public Health Communication. 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. These summaries are intended for a broad and inclusive audience that encompasses. Law and requirements. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. Beginning in 2022, Pfizer will be disclosing the results of all global clinical trials—phases 1 through 4—in plain language. 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. Right of use means any authorization under this part to use Outer Continental. has useful headings. Choose everyday words: the shorter the word, the more likely it will be familiar to the reader. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language can be understood the first time it is read or heard. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Rep. Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes. , and Nielsen, J. Read more to see how plain language can be as . Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English. Meet other Canadians doing plain language work. What stuff it all is!Help your readers quickly find what they need with these web writing tips: Less is more! Be concise. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. The loosely organized campaign to encourage legal writers and business writers to write clearly and concisely – without legalese – while preserving. 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. Words matter. The material available about plain language is. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. 15, to require state agencies to adopt a plain language policy to ensure that information is easy to understand and. There is no one ‘right’ way to express an idea. Plain language is typically based on an eighth-grade reading level, as this ensures clarity and simplicity in communication. Plain Language Training Resources . The Center supports those who use plain language, trains those who should use plain language, and urges people to demand plain language in all the communications they. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. 5. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. The ability to communicate and explain research in plain language is a critical skill. Avoid the third person when the second person works. Easy to read, easy to understand and easy to use, plain language—plain English— lands your organization in the users’ world. These terms are not the only acceptable plain language alternatives for these vocabulary words. Plain language makes information easier to find, read and understand. Plain language myths. Online Plain Language Training. Although plain language is a familiar idea, many organizations don’t use it as often as they should. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. Use even more headings with less under each heading. . Plain Language &. In the past, Trump has. 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. 54 MB, 34 pages) from Laura Rabuck’s 2022 Federal Plain Language Summit presentation. The credibility of being developed with input and support from many plain-language. A clear,. In some situations, such as when you’re writing a Congressional letter or summarizing a regulation, you’ll sound more formal. Try to make your reading ease number go up and. Source: International Plain Language Federation. Train-the-trainer bootcamp. 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. 1. It . O. Some have endings such as -ment, -tion, -sion, and -ance or link. They point to an antecedent. Maintained Plain Language intranet and internet webpages. [10]Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. Posting PDF versions (PDFs) of original documents on your site would seem to be an obvious alternative to rewriting your content in web format. 12866, E. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. We aim to bring you timely information about the work of CDC and other organizations to improve health literacy. We hope you enjoy this post. In others, such as when you’re writing a blog, you’ll soundMake a commitment. 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. S. Writing in Plain Language. She was born early. Plain language looks at the whole message from the reader’s perspective, including wording, structure, and design elements. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to write documents for the public that are easy to understand and use. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. gov, plain language helps the reader: Find what they. • Developed a Plain Language Matrix to document related tasks and steps to begin operationalizing our plain language. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. S. —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. 10 Tips to Write in Plain Language. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Virtual Event, 13 October 2020. Just because someone can read instructions written at a grade 14 level doesn’t mean they. Every thought can be expressed in many different ways and the variety comes from the individual way we approach an idea or. Plain Language. ”. 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. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. State your major point(s) first before going into details. 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. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Hidden verbs come in two forms. Cost. We all do! From language learners to advanced readers, everyone benefits from plain language. Plain Language: Getting Started or Brushing Up. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Outline other rules related to word. The Act does not cover regulations. gov. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 promotes clear government communication that the public can understand and use. Steps to success 1. Relax and be natural (but not too informal). Prefer a simpler word whenever you can. The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group fighting for public information to be written in plain English. (Active)National Archives staff are continually informed about plain writing through internal newsletter articles, an internal web page, and blog posts on plain writing. Plain language is universal. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. Letters and notices. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. Adopting plain language in the workplace is sometimes perceived as overly complicated or not really necessary. It is. (Active)Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. Plain style is reader-friendly because it's clear, concise, and precise; it uses short, action-driven sentences free of jargon to make language accessible and easy to understand. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. This definition of plain language is ‘reader-based’ and not [a] ‘text-based’ analysis of a writing style. You can see it in action right here! Click the text next to each paragraph to read it in plain language. We’ll train your managers as well. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. Plain-language advocates often trumpet this utility by demonstrating that doc - uments written in plain language are easier to use than docu-ments that feature jargon, convoluted paragraphs, and crowded visual design. Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized. 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. Think about how well your communications support people in getting things done. We continue to revise it every few. The public can contact CMS and send comments about our plain writing efforts via the . This blog post is the first in a series of three—Plain Language Past and Present—that will showcase early efforts, including Gobbledygook Has Gotta Go, a 1996 pioneering book by Bureau of Land Management employee John O’Hayre. Watch on. Plain language is a way of writing that makes the message easy to read, understand, and act upon by the intended audience. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Plain language strategy #2: We make shorter. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. Indeed, scientific information conveyed in plain language invariable reaches. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. How to Use this Guide In this guide. You may have been toiling away for years to change wordy. Testing your writing to make sure it’s clear to. ETGAR may serve as a model for learning written communication skills during clinical years, using the. Our mission PLAIN is the. (Active) The police stopped the riot. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. “And/or” is a classic example. Preface by Warren E. 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.