In Conclusion. Plain language works with. " Afrikaans Geskrewe kommunikasie is duidelik (in ‘’plain language’’) wanneer die teikengehoor die inligting wat hulle nodig het,. Principle 1: Use Active Voice. It improves access to services and creates a better experience for your reader. PLAIN LANGUAGE •Kyra is autistic and deaf. Select the most appropriate. (2) WEBSITE. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) brings together plain language supporters and practitioners from around the world. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. Plain Language WebsiteUsing Plain Language makes it easier for the reader to accurately interpret your message. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. plain talk. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. It means you are communicating your important and complex ideas. – understand what they find. gov explains how to write in plain language. The most recent example from U. 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. The law requires federal agencies to. Content types. ”. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. Published: 2002. Describes why plain language is a promising strategy for clearly communicating health information and improving health literacy. A Plain Language Summary (also referred to as a lay summary in some subject areas) communicates the significance of scholarly and scientific research evidence to wide audiences in clear, jargon-free language. gov. It . Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. We have edited this list. S. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese, doublespeak, gibberish, gobbledygook, skotison. “Shall” has three strikes against it. Plain language allows the reader to locate, understand, and act on the information presented. Buffett from the SEC’s Plain English Handbook, 1998. President Clinton was an advocate and signed two executive orders and issued a Memorandum on Plain Language in Government Writing. Demand. Abstract. Write for the reader, not for yourself. The plain language definition states, at its core, that plain language is easily and quickly understandable. Review plain language guidelines for using verbs, nouns, and pronouns. Watch on. 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. Don’t write for an 8th-grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents, or immigrants. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. 5. Hosted by Digital. 8-11-2020 workshop and 9-10-2020 workshop. —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. Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. —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. 3. 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. The use of plain language is spreading in many areas of American culture. Write annual compliance reports and post these reports on its plain language web page. Other areas where we see a push toward plain language include the sciences and the legal profession. Utilize technology tools. Plain language is one of our best tools for improving scientific literacy and encouraging wise decision-making by the public on science-based issues. She was born early. Explain the Federal Plain Language Guidelines. These “Plain Language Summary for a Pro Se Litigant” sections have now made their way into First Step Act jurisprudence. 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. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. You may use any of the. ” The phrase certainly shouldn’t connote drab and dreary language. 1. To celebrate, we’re putting together a collection of 30 of the people who have kept the campaign thriving. While there was a time when many business documents were written in the third person to give them the impression of objectivity, this formal style was often passive and wordy. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). The Summit will begin at 10:00 am, ET, and conclude at 3:45 pm, ET. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. No. Historical Quotes. Your professor was likely smarter than you were. Write explanatory letters. You may have been toiling away for years to change wordy. Share your thoughts and challenges. M. Use even more lists than on paper. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. Gains Momentum by Karen A. How to Use this Guide In this guide. The Plain Language Thesaurus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers plain language equivalents to medical terms and phrases. The material available about plain language is. Write in the active voice. The public is beginning to see the difference plain, clear writing can make. As the starting point and at every point, design and write the document in a way that best serves the reader. § 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. He includes the following words in. Before you even begin the writing process, take a step back and make sure you’re aware of what message. 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. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. Split topics up into logical sections separated by informative. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use. Use lists. Plain Language Materials & Resources. everything plain language “p”. We will explore five stories or themes that show how plain language can increase access. Here are some examples, both historical and current. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. On June 1, 1998, President Clinton issued an executive memo. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. ClearMark Awards: The Center for Plain Language sets a high standard for clarity and simplicity in the documents created by North American companies, governments, and organizations. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Resources. This award recognizes people who. Plain language summaries (PLS) are typically short synopses of peer-reviewed journal publications that simplify the complex. Avoid the third person when the second person works. She has trouble seeing, hearing, eating, and sleeping. We commit to write content that is easy to read and understand. What is Plain Language? Importance of Plain. 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. It is. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. Antiquated words flourish words such as herein, therein,Plain language is a necessity and can have a big payoff for both consumers and organizations. 8 to 8. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces. The purpose of a pla in-lan guage approach in written communications is to convey. Plain Language Resources. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Plain language refers to clear communication that an audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. 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. Easy to read, easy to understand and easy to use, plain language—plain English— lands your organization in the users’ world. “It’s not easily understood. 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. Language allows us to communicate our. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. When users do not understand court forms, they either complete the forms incorrectly or call the court for more information. CDC’s work aligns with the goals and strategies of the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, CDC’s Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy and the federal Plain Writing Act. In some situations, such as when you’re writing a Congressional letter or summarizing a regulation, you’ll sound more formal. Handbooks and manuals. This. Refer to the reader as you, but not if it sounds accusatory or insulting. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). Using plain language on government websites is one of the best ways to reach your target audience. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). § Research tells us that most readability formulas are. Explain what plain language is and is not. Effective plain language content means that the target audience can read, understand, and confidently act on the information in your content. Plain English is clear, straightforward expression, using only as many words as are necessary. 2020-2021 Access for All: Plain Language is a Civil Right. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. In 2021, the Civil Rights Division (CRT) provided Plain Language training both to the Civil Rights Division and to the Department at large. PLAIN offers a variety of introductory classes on plain language. Plain-language documents are accessible and present information in a way that is easy to absorb. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Virtual Event, 13 October 2020. But as these pages discuss, we still have a long. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. The Plain Language Summary (PLS) should convey the same information as the Abstract but in a completely different language and tone. Learn more about the government’s plain language standard and find a checklist to help you in your projects. Andy Biggs of Arizona, a hardline. To communicate professionally, you need to know when and how to use either active or passive voice. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. ”. 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. vivid. ” Writing in plain. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. 3. In the U. Designing for reading is an important part of developing effective communications. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. 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. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. 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. 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. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. By October 13 2011, we will use plain language in any new or substantially revised document that:. The material available about plain language is. 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. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Chunked content: Don’t try to pack everything into long paragraphs. Plain Language. Replace verb-noun phrases and wordy phrases with more precise words. Provides information about any federal government benefit or service. Half-day presentations. Write to the reader, using the pronoun “you” as much as possible. See individual courses for textbook details. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both organizational compliance. Plain language strategy #2: We make shorter. People with language impairments often have a reduced vocabulary and learning new terms is a very slow difficult process. Plain language (also called Plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious. ”. The ability to communicate and explain research in plain language is a critical skill. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. 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. It helps us write for people who read at all levels of time, interest, education and. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various. We hope you enjoy this post. You can also use the toggle on the top right to switch everything to. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. Think through the questions your users likely have and then organize the material in a logical order. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. It’s robust and direct—the opposite of gaudy, pretentious language. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. 10 Tips to Write in Plain Language. This guidance sets out the steps agencies should take to comply with the Plain Language Act 2022. ”. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. (b) the agency considers that the intended audience for the document is the public generally (rather than 1 or more. The second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . Principles of Plain Language (PPTX), our original plain language class; Plain Language and Writing for the Web (PPTX), based on Principles, but with a web focusPfizer began sharing study results in plain language with the general public in May 2021, and people can expect to see more and more of it in the future. It might be science journalists, healthcare practitioners, academic professionals, policymakers or the general public; they need to understand and engage with the research. We hope you enjoy this post. They also didn't have a negative reaction to the simplified content. The intended readership of plain language summaries can include patients, patient advocates, caregivers, members of the media, busy. Long, flowing sentences and the passive voice can occasionally be useful, but they shouldn’t have a large presence in your content. This clear writing approach is ideal for public sector employees who write to and for King County taxpayers, ratepayers and other clients and customers. Plain language is not. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. Plain Language: Getting Started or Brushing Up. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. Actions are verbs. Plain language is clear language. Plain Language is nothing more than the using clear, familiar language that a range of people can understand. choices at a 6th grade. Plain language does not mean simplifying or dumbing down. 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. ”4. These principles are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and tailored for regulations. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. • the importance of using plain language; • best practices and helpful tips; • leadership’s interest in and support of plain writing; and • training opportunities (within and outside of the Department). -Governor Jay Inslee signed an Executive Order on Wednesday, Nov. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 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. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. Support for plain-writing is growing in the legal professions, which bring us some of our best and most varied examples of plain-writing. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. 2 Crafting your materials with plain language principles. Download the 2022 Report Card PDF. Complex topics can be clearly communicated with plain language without losing substance. Overview. Originally called the Plain English Network, PLAIN has been meeting informally since the mid 1990s. Help the reader understand the order in which things happen. • Participated in the Plain Language Community of Practice. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. Verb phrases are the best headings for sections that relate to procedures. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. Plain language myths. 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. Avoid PDF overload. 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. both plain language and coded language in the same transmission, causing confusion. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. Learning. In this 4-week online training, you will: complete 4 modules (1 module each week) be assigned to a small group. Plain Language Summaries (PLS) provide a summary of an article in non-technical, jargon-free language that is understandable to non-specialist audiences. uses active voice. Plain Writing Act of 2010. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. Schriver. Plain Language in Sweden, the Results After 30 Years. 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). [10]Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. 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. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. to explain the importance of the Plain Writing Act and outline CMS’ commitment to full compliance with the Act. It’s especially important to test our assumptions in government, because we’re often writing for thousands or even millions of people. Federal government. You may use any of the content on this site without. Write for your reader, not yourself. 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. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain Language Act 2022: Guidance for agencies — Te Kawa Mataaho. Use pronouns when you can. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Specifically, writing in plain language increases the ability for people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities to access your programming. In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Visit plainlanguage. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. Legalese versus plain language by Peter Butt Legal English has traditionally been a special variety of English. American Sign Language. This Plain Language Thesaurus has been put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing. Plain language engages users best, helping them fulfill their purpose for visiting your site. Plain language is a way of writing that makes the message easy to read, understand, and act upon by the intended audience. Plain language can be understood the first time it is read or heard. gov. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. organized to serve the reader’s needs. 15, to require state agencies to adopt a plain language policy to ensure that information is easy to understand and. 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. Style guides are not a plain language issue, except that your style guide should include directions to write in plain language. Plain Language. About 79% of users scan new pages they come across; only 16% read word-by-word. Plain language is useful for everyone, and crucial for users with language barriers and cognitive challenges. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. We all do! From language learners to advanced readers, everyone benefits from plain language. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. 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. 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. If your customers don’t understand your documents, you may have to: Answer phone calls. The purpose of a plain-language approach in written communication is to convey information easily and unambiguously. You can flip the cards. 5: Plain Language. 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. 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. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. Resources for using plain language. 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. A plain language standard provides all sectors, in nearly all languages, with a set of guidelines and strategies to make information more accessible and effective. Words matter. conveying the meaning clearly and simply; easily understood. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. Plain language is also known as clear language. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN 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. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. Our Plain Language Partners. Target an 8th - 9th grade reading level. 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. Reports and brochures. Ambiguous Wording Rewritten. Your Reader is a Person. The first task for ISO’s plain language Working Group was to complete the Experts’ Draft and to adopt it as Draft 1. Plain language Definitions "A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information. We evaluated 21 Executive Branch agencies, including all 15 cabinet-level departments. 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. It’s especially important in letters to engage the reader by using pronouns. It is also called plain English or plain writing. 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. Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Plain language works with whatever style you follow. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. The long introduction with fancy SAT words might work in college, but it’s not. to make one's meaning plain. Morkes, J. Plain language is a way of writing so that more people can easily read and understand your content. I do think there’s an obligation to recognize that if your goal is to inform the. Legal Writing Institute Awards: Joe Kimble is chair of the Outreach Committee for the Legal Writing Institute’s Golden Pen Award. 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. The Plain Language Act applies to content in English that is intended for the general public. So here is the 2002 edition: A. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. Longer papers are assessed an excess length fee. Three days virtual conference dedicated to using plain language to break down barriers in society. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. State your major point(s) first before going into details. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. 13 Plain Language 13. (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . There are millions of words in the English language. Government has embraced plain language, and government agencies are revising written materials and websites to comply with plain language standards. Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in a few words. Looking aheadThe Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. 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. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Author: Londell Buckson. They concluded that the organization did not have a true process or standard for. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. Virtual International plain language conference (2020) – Access for all : Plain Language is a Civil Right – Part 1. Plain Language Act’s Objectives. It has 5 general areas to consider: audience and purpose, structure, design, expression, and. Before and after. When people understand what they read, they need fewer explanations and make fewer mistakes. The bigger the block of text, the harder it is to read. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. 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. Plain Language Training Resources . Train-the-trainer bootcamp. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. It aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the public service by requiring communications to be clear and accessible to the public. They make fewer errors filling out forms. You know what you are trying to say – make sure the reader does, too. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Plain Language at NIH. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. 12866, E. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance.