This construction makes clear to the reader who is to. ”. This website consists of five sections and a checklist you can print. Plain language strategy #1: We make shorter paragraphs. And best practices for a patient audience include keeping content between a 6. In 2021, the Civil Rights Division (CRT) provided Plain Language training both to the Civil Rights Division and to the Department at large. 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. You’ll also develop a sensitivity to the issues of literacy and work toward. Her hand shakes so she does not do sign language. 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. By the mid-1980s, there was a widespread sense that plain-language advocates. 2. You achieve plain English when you use the simplest, most straightforward way of expressing an idea. No. 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. What is plain language? Communication with clear wording, structure, and design for the intended audience to easily: – find what they need. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. Words to avoid. It aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the public service by requiring communications to be clear and accessible to the public. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. Steps to success 1. Take your audience’s current level of knowledge into account. Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate clearly. In general. Tommy Thompson, George W. Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. Avoid Overly Complicated Language. The Plain Language and Multilingual communities share a goal of achieving more effective communication. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese, doublespeak, gibberish, gobbledygook, skotison. You can also watch the 28-minute, 13-second video on YouTube. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. In this course, you’ll learn the writing standards and practices outlined within the plain language field. They concluded that the organization did not have a true process or standard for. 5. the proper approach to legal writing. Pointing words. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. A guide for plain language technical writing. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. It means you are communicating your important and complex ideas. You can flip the cards. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Minimize abbreviations. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. the proper approach to legal writing. Contains guidelines for creating plain language materials, as well as an overview of the plain language movement and tools for trainers. Before You Start Writing. Here are some style guides. Plain-language documents are accessible and present information in a way that is easy to absorb. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. In fact, organizations such as Plain Language Association InterNational, Clarity International, and the Plain Language Ac -For most journals, Research Articles are allowed to be up to 25 publication units (PU), where 1 PU is 500 words or 1 display element (figure or table). Adopting plain language in the workplace is sometimes perceived as overly complicated or not really necessary. The USDA plain language coordinators can be found by contacting us via plainlanguage@usda. reading level or below. 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. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. This page last reviewed on. Plain language writing—and speaking—will help you to get your message across clearly and concisely. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. 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. Your professor was likely smarter than you were. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. Tuesday, August 11, 2020 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET. Author: Barbro Ehrenberg-Sundin. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. ”. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. On the six cards below, learn about what to do before you start writing. Our trainers are federal employees from across. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. Plain language is writing designed to be easily understood by all readers the first time it is read. Legalese versus plain language by Peter Butt Legal English has traditionally been a special variety of English. 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. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand and use government communications. ”A clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. read more. 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. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 promotes clear government communication that the public can understand and use. This article is structured as follows. Through numerous exercises as well as examples from a variety of federal and state. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. 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. In this 4-week online training, you will: complete 4 modules (1 module each week) be assigned to a small group. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. Then, agencies will simplify and review the content on a regular basis to ensure these documents follow plain language writing and design. The dissatisfaction with legalese sparked the Plain Language Movement in. Checklist for Plain Language. Refer to the reader as you, but not if it sounds accusatory or insulting. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Being direct and plainspoken is not talking down. Before you even begin the writing process, take a step back and make sure you’re aware of what message. Why Use Plain Language? Download Why Use Plain Language? [PDF - 12. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. People come to government websites and services with a specific task in mind. O. PLAIN offers free consultation to federal agencies on how to start an internal agency plain language program. gov. English is the richest language, often having five words for a concept, while many have two. Pointing words. Letters and notices. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. At [Agency Name], we are committed to writing in plain language and using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines: We have. Split topics up into logical sections separated by informative. The Office of Management and Budget issued final guidance to implement the law on April 13, 2011. 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. But they don’t want to take the time to decide which they mean, so they push the job off on the audience. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. They make fewer errors filling out forms. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. We at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to improving our service to you by writing in plain language. Find out about the Plain Writing Act, policy memos, and executive orders that require agencies to use plain language. We must use plain language in any document that. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. You know what you are trying to say – make sure the reader does, too. Relax and be natural (but not too informal). The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. It is important for scientists to use plain language not only to reach the public; but also to reach one another. 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. Target an 8th - 9th grade reading level. ”you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. 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. 5. You may have been toiling away for years to change wordy. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. Testing your content should be an integral part of your writing and planning process—not just something you just do after the fact. Readers call less often for explanations. 6. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve communication and takes less time to read and understand. Provides information about any federal government benefit or service. [table striped="true" responsive="true"] Is the tone appropriate for the audience?The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. L. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. PLAIN LANGUAGE definition: language that is clear and easy to understand , with no ambiguity or unnecessarily. Be prepared to educate and learn along the way. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use. Our five-step checklist will guide you through the plain language process and help you develop content that’s right for your organization. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. Three days virtual conference dedicated to using plain language to break down barriers in society. Award winners. Plain Language Summaries. has useful headings. 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. Looking aheadThe Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. ”. According to the government's Plain Language. In either case, court staff may spend time explaining theAbstract. As an author, you should. Here are five of my agency’s most common arguments for not writing in plain language: I got an A on these kinds of papers in graduate school. Abstract. In each section, you will find a number of cards you can flip through to learn. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. The American Bar Association passed this resolution advising federal agencies to write regulations in plain language. We continue toListen as they highlight plain language successes. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. readability statistics. Instead, put the emphasis on the agency by using “we”. 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. Replace verb-noun phrases and wordy phrases with more precise words. Before. People who benefit from plain language includes anyone with a disability that effects their reading ability. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. It’s especially important in letters to engage the reader by using pronouns. We offer free, half-day training classes for federal agencies. Plain language is useful for everyone, and crucial for users with language barriers and cognitive challenges. 1. Don’t write for an 8th-grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents, or immigrants. There is no one ‘right’ way to express an idea. • Participated in the Plain Language Community of Practice. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Handbooks and manuals. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. ”. Complex topics can be clearly communicated with plain language without losing substance. Plain language is clear, concise, and easily understood the first time someone reads or hears it. Hosted by Digital. both plain language and coded language in the same transmission, causing confusion. . Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. $350–$930/course, not including textbooks. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group fighting for public information to be written in plain English. An old adage. Explain what plain language is and is not. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references that we often use. Speakers address debunking myths, meeting varying audience’s needs,. Plain Language. Agencies are required to take steps to support their people to use plain language. Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. Resources. uses “you” and other pronouns to speak to the reader. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. You can see it in action right here! plain language. ) written for the average reader. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. Plain Language Act 2022: Guidance for agencies — Te Kawa Mataaho. Links. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. 15, to require state agencies to adopt a plain language policy to ensure that information is easy to understand and. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. Beginning in 2022, Pfizer will be disclosing the results of all global clinical trials—phases 1 through 4—in plain language. 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. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. 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. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. 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. Plain language can be understood the first time it is read or heard. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Use even more headings with less under each heading. Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Excellent use of all plain language principles. Resist the urge to sound formal. Plain language engages users best, helping them fulfill their purpose for visiting your site. For example, the phrase “people who are incarcerated” is wordier but more representative and equitable than the term “inmates. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. (2006). S. 1 This tool aims to support a systematic review of your material to ensure it follows plain language guidance and meets the needs Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. recent trends in plain language that move beyond comprehension and task com - pletion to building user trust. Use lists to help your user focus on important material. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. 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. 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. The use of plain language is spreading in many areas of American culture. Half-day presentations. The loosely organized campaign to encourage legal writers and business writers to write clearly and concisely – without legalese – while preserving. • Met with representatives from other agencies to discuss plain language procedures and best practices. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. It is intended to make government communications. Plain Language Materials & Resources. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. This handbook and Chairman Levitt’s whole drive to encourage “plain English” in disclosure documents, are good news for me. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Test your assumptions. Language. This is the 11th time the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly Report Card evaluating how well agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. The material available about plain language is. 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. Magistrate Judge Allison Claire, a federal judge based in Sacramento, California, in a case called Muniz v. 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. Plain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. Official description. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. gov. 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 second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. As an author, you should. gov. Christian Miller said that, internally, the plain language description of ProPublica resonated. You may use any of the content on this site without. Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. Short Definition of Plain Language. Federal Plain Language Guidelines. 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. It is simple and direct but not simplistic or patronizing. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. ) written for the average reader. 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. Complex and Abstract Words. Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. Just because someone can read instructions written at a grade 14 level doesn’t mean they. It helps readers access and use the content without confusion, frustration, or extra. Use plain language. We’re accustomed to thinking and speaking positively. Use plain language. The Nielsen Norman Group has done multiple studies on PDFs and has consistently found. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. This. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. While plain language won’t solve every public health communication challenge, all health communications can be made more efective by communicating plainly. [table striped="true" responsive="true"] Is the tone appropriate for the audience?Plain language is communication that is clear and easy to understand for your target audience, regardless of the medium used to deliver it. Fortunately, there is a concerted effort to help healthcare professionals incorporate plain language into their daily practice in both oral and written communication. Her parents think she knows some signs. Regulations. 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 believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. “And/or” is a classic example. Plain language does not mean simplifying or dumbing down. These “Plain Language Summary for a Pro Se Litigant” sections have now made their way into First Step Act jurisprudence. Plain language is the key to effective communication, allowing you to get the most important information to the right people as clearly and as effectively as possible. We hope you enjoy this post. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. Plain language makes information easier to find, read and understand. And there’s some indication the very first mention of plain language dates back as far as. Plain language is one element of clear communication. The law requires that federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use. Describes why plain language is a promising strategy for clearly communicating health information and improving health literacy. Plain language has been around in the government for over 40 years. To communicate professionally, you need to know when and how to use either active or passive voice. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English. Chunked content: Don’t try to pack everything into long paragraphs. Plain language is writing designed to ensure the reader understands as quickly, easily, and completely as possible. Please feel free to use these terms in place of medical jargon, wherever you feel they might be better understood. Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. It is clear communication. It helps Veterans and their families access and use VA services and benefits. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. Train-the-trainer bootcamp. Readability is a strong ally in the quest for plain language—the more common and less complex a word, phrase, or. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. It avoids verbose, convoluted language and jargon. Our Plain Language Liaisons report on what staff in their units are doing to review and revise documents — view before/after examples. Choose your words carefully. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. L. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. § 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. (1) In this Act, a document for which a reporting agency is responsible is a relevant document if—. It makes writing easy to read for more people. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. The most recent example from U. – understand what they find. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. gov for more guidance on using plain language. Plain language is universal. Review plain language guidelines for using verbs, nouns, and pronouns. gov. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly as possible so it can reach as many people as possible. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. Reports and brochures. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. The public is beginning to see the difference plain, clear writing can make. This plain-language course will: Outline a writer’s obligations under the Plain Writing Act. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 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 and simple. To celebrate, we’re putting together a collection of 30 of the people who have kept the campaign thriving. It improves reading comprehension, accessibility, and ethical action. Help the reader understand the order in which things happen. The U. Also called plain language . The Plain Writing Act of 2010. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. For example, “Please make an application for a personal loan” is longer and less clear than “Please apply for a personal loan. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. 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. Agency programs and contacts. This group was and remains the center of the US movement for plain language. 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. They point to an antecedent. By October 13 2011, we will use plain language in any new or substantially revised document that:.