S. both plain language and coded language in the same transmission, causing confusion. 5, using the Flesch-Kincaid assessment tool in Microsoft Word. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The Office of the Federal Register provides excellent guidance on Drafting Legal Documents. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. You can flip the cards. And best practices for a patient audience include keeping content between a 6. Introduction. This website consists of five sections and a checklist you can print. Plain language is writing designed to ensure the reader understands as quickly, easily, and completely as possible. It is important for scientists to use plain language not only to reach the public; but also to reach one another. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. Plain Language. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. In this course, you’ll learn the writing standards and practices outlined within the plain language field. It is a thorough companion to the writing process, with comprehensive guidance and advice on understanding your readers, planning and creating your text, and presenting your words. 1. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. That makes their writing ambiguous. She was born early. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. 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. Keep the reader in mind as you make decisions about organizing and formatting your health information. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. You can see how shorter paragraphs improve your readability score. 6 What documents must use plain language. It saves people and government time and money and improves the accessibility of your content. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Use pronouns when you can. Although plain language is a familiar idea, many organizations don’t use it as often as they should. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. While plain language won’t solve every public health communication challenge, all health communications can be made more efective by communicating plainly. It aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the public service by requiring communications to be clear and accessible to the public. (Active)Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. Short Definition of Plain Language. " The January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government also highlights the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. • 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). He includes the following words in. 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. Write in a conversational tone. In addition. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. This incident shows what an unnecessary time-waster non-plain language can be. PLAIN offers a variety of introductory classes on plain language. We aim to bring you timely information about the work of CDC and other organizations to improve health literacy. Virtual International plain language conference (2020) – Access for all : Plain Language is a Civil Right – Part 1. View the Jargon Madness slides (PowerPoint presentation, 1. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: . The resource Plain language online notes that a “crucial feature of plain language is testing the writing to determine whether it adequately conveys to the targeted reader the writer’s intentions. It is also called plain English or plain writing. What is Plain Language? Importance of Plain. Plain language would have helped clearly communicate the purpose to the public, so there would have been less confusion and mistrust. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). Next, against the background of the. gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice. 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. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. 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. 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. No. The Plain Language Summary (PLS) should convey the same information as the Abstract but in a completely different language and tone. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. Follow established web-writing guidelines to maximize readability. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. Pointing words. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. -Governor Jay Inslee signed an Executive Order on Wednesday, Nov. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. Plain Language in Plain English. The plain language version has found an audience outside the disability community, too. 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 hope you enjoy this post. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. 1, with a range of 6. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Here are some examples, both historical and current. During the 1970s, some practitioners began to employ usability testing. It is intended to make government communications. L. adult reads at an eight-grade level, which makes. Compare the following examples to get the idea of the plain language. Relax and be natural (but not too informal). The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. ) places. Write in the active voice. Bush’s former Secretary of Health and Human Services, has this to say about plain language and the federal plain language group. Plain language is a way of writing that makes the message easy to read, understand, and act upon by the intended audience. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. They make fewer errors filling out forms. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. Plain Language is nothing more than the using clear, familiar language that a range of people can understand. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. You know what you are trying to say – make sure the reader does, too. Plain Language in Sweden, the Results After 30 Years. Use plainlanguage. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance. Plain language is clear language. It avoids verbose, convoluted language and jargon. Your main goal is to convey your ideas with the greatest possible clarity. You may use any of the content on this site without. And there’s some indication the very first mention of plain language dates back as far as. Executive Order 23-02 directs agencies to prioritize their most-viewed, public-facing materials. Schriver. Plain language is a way of writing that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. 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. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. Target an 8th - 9th grade reading level. An old adage. But in the process, he wasted at least 30 minutes of two senior executives’ time, not to mention subordinates’ and a consultant’s time. Using plain language [3] helps agencies do this more. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. —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. 2 Crafting your materials with plain language principles. Write for the reader, not for yourself. gov. • Developed a Plain Language Matrix to document related tasks and steps to begin operationalizing our plain language. It has become so corrupted by misuse that it has no firm meaning. In either case, court staff may spend time explaining theAbstract. ”. They point to an antecedent. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. Plain language is a way of writing so that more people can easily read and understand your content. Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Join the national plain language movement. (2006). 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. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. People who benefit from plain language includes anyone with a disability that effects their reading ability. (b) the agency considers that the intended audience for the document is the public generally (rather than 1 or more. Demand. The public can contact CMS and send comments about our plain writing efforts via the . Plain language is clear, concise, and easily understood the first time someone reads or hears it. org and in the Cochrane Library in a range of languages. Describe how writers should handle multiple audiences. We’re a nonprofit organization run entirely on a volunteer basis. Overview. ”. Plain language is clearer. M. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. 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. Style guides are not a plain language issue, except that your style guide should include directions to write in plain language. The materials are similar in both. 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. Use Plain Language instead of technical terms; Refer to the PRISM Readability Toolkit which contains information about the principles of Plain Language, and examples for improving readability. Government has embraced plain language, and government agencies are revising written materials and websites to comply with plain language standards. ” The phrase certainly shouldn’t connote drab and dreary language. Plain-language summary (PLS) is a synopsis of research findings written in an easily understandable way, so that even lay audience would grasp the content. The Plain Language and Multilingual communities share a goal of achieving more effective communication. Use plain language. The U. Effective plain language content means that the target audience can read, understand, and confidently act on the information in your content. Agencies are required to take steps to support their people to use plain language. gov. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references that we often use. You can also watch the 28-minute, 13-second video on YouTube. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. (a) the document is in English (but see subsection (3) and section 15 ); and. Indeed, scientific information conveyed in plain language invariable reaches. Train-the-trainer bootcamp. People with language impairments often have a reduced vocabulary and learning new terms is a very slow difficult process. Gains Momentum by Karen A. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various experts and organizations. Plain language is not. uses “you” and other pronouns to speak to the reader. a plain trail to the river. Use even more headings with less under each heading. Source: International Plain Language Federation. This award recognizes people who. S. Plain language is writing designed to be easily understood by all readers the first time it is read. Rule begins with a useful overview that orients the reader to this complex but well-organized material. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. [1] The Act applies to public service agencies and Crown agents. (Active) The police stopped the riot. In this 4-week online training, you will: complete 4 modules (1 module each week) be assigned to a small group. T. 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. Chunked content: Don’t try to pack everything into long paragraphs. Limit each paragraph to one idea and keep it short. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate clearly. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. Use lists. Plain language strategy #2: We make shorter. The bigger the block of text, the harder it is to read. Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please, Joseph Kimble, 2012. It’s especially important in letters to engage the reader by using pronouns. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. 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. 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. Help the reader understand the order in which things happen. 13 Plain Language 13. 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. 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. For example, “Please make an application for a personal loan” is longer and less clear than “Please apply for a personal loan. Plain language writing and design ensures information is concise, inclusive and easy to understand. 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. choices at a 6th grade. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. Resources. Plain Language: Getting Started or Brushing Up. . If you have an update, please let us know at info@plainlanguage. We’ll train your managers as well. Looking aheadThe Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language guidelines and tips. Legalese versus plain language by Peter Butt Legal English has traditionally been a special variety of English. If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political. Here are some examples of how using plain language can help clear up clarity problems caused by ambiguous wording. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. The second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . Watch on. Jargon Madness is a plain language conversation starter that cuts across the organizational chart. View these before and after examples to see how the National Archives is. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. There is no one ‘right’ way to express an idea. Please feel free to use these terms in place of medical jargon, wherever you feel they might be better understood. You’ll also develop a sensitivity to the issues of literacy and work toward. Consider your audience. . Bibliographic resources about health literacy. If in Microsoft Word, a. The Plain Writing Act of 2010. Yes, you did. Plain language engages users best, helping them fulfill their purpose for visiting your site. 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. Modern English, especially written English, is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. The title, authors, affiliations, key points, keywords, text in tables (but not captions) and references are excluded from word counts. Plain Writing Act of 2010. See individual courses for textbook details. [9] For instance, the Plain Writing Act 2010 requires US federal agencies to use simple English in their documents so that they can be understood by everyone. " Afrikaans Geskrewe kommunikasie is duidelik (in ‘’plain language’’) wanneer die teikengehoor die inligting wat hulle nodig het,. After. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communication from government. Plain language can be understood the first time it is read or heard. 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. Making information less complex and more concise How we knew we needed a plain language program In 2010,. For the 2021 Federal Plain Language Report Card, the judges focused on the main Coronavirus pages and the main Freedom of. Our five-step checklist will guide you through the plain language process and help you develop content that’s right for your organization. Although. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Law and requirements. This group was and remains the center of the US movement for plain language. Find out about the Plain. This book is as helpful as it is entertaining. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). Plain language means just that: speaking in language that is clear and easy to understand. What is plain language? Nowadays, we have a (fairly) robust understanding of what makes writing readable. uses active voice. Learn the definition, guidelines, purposes, and examples of plain language. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. The plain language Community of Practice is a network of communications professionals that work to help public servants communicate in plain language to their audience. 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. Hosted by Digital. To ensure the target audience understands WHO information, advice and guidance, communicators must: know what the audience wants and needs. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. 2. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. A great deal of research connected to the Center for Civic Design has well established the design/plain language relationship through effective voting ballots. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. Our mission PLAIN is the. 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. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. PLAIN believes the public deserves to understand what its government is doing for them and expects of them. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. 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. The analysis outlined above is the first step before creating programs and platforms forA clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. ”you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve communication and takes less time to read and understand. Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. Plain Language Act’s Objectives. Plain language is good customer service and makes life easier for the public. 12866, E. Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. 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. We hope you enjoy this post. Plain language is important in written and verbal communication. Plain language is a clear way of sharing information that people can understand the first time they read or hear it. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. Prefer a simpler word whenever you can. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. Download the 2022 Report Card PDF. She has trouble seeing, hearing, eating, and sleeping. This can be hard in healthcare where medical terminology and acronyms prevail. Words matter. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. 5. Also called plain language . [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. Beginning in 2022, Pfizer will be disclosing the results of all global clinical trials—phases 1 through 4—in plain language. Governments at all levels, especially the federal government, are using plain language more extensively. Select the most appropriate. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. (2) WEBSITE. Our growing network includes members from over 30 countries working in clear communication in at least 15 languages. Originally called the Plain English Network, PLAIN has been meeting informally since the mid 1990s. Contains guidelines for creating plain language materials, as well as an overview of the plain language movement and tools for trainers. There are a variety of books, articles, videos, and journals that provide different perspectives on the value of plain language in areas as diverse as science, government regulation, and law. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 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. S Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Veterans Benefits Administration (to. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. 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 believe that using plain language saves government agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Being direct and plainspoken is not talking down. Meet other Canadians doing plain language work. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both. Apocrypha. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. to make one's meaning plain. Our biannual journal, The Clarity Journal, is the leading source of plain language news and research from across the globe. Split topics up into logical sections separated by informative. gov for more guidance on using plain language. We need trainers to help us provide plain language training to government agencies. has useful headings. Christian Miller said that, internally, the plain language description of ProPublica resonated. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. To communicate professionally, you need to know when and how to use either active or passive voice. S. For more than forty years, I’ve studied the documents that public companies file. Word choice is an important part of. That doesn’t mean that you should put your letter in passive voice. Tuesday, August 11, 2020 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET. Readers call less often for explanations. Our trainers are federal employees from across. " SAMHSA. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. 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 Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use. 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. Refer to the reader as you, but not if it sounds accusatory or insulting. Published: 2004. Typically it is written at a 6th-8th grade reading level for the. Mysterious in form and expression, it is larded with law-Latin and Norman-French, heavily dependent on the past, and unashamedly archaic. 6 . Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. – understand what they find. Hard writing makes easy reading. (link is external) Everyday Words for Public Health Communication. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various. It’s not just about the words you choose, but your overall ability to. Longer papers are assessed an excess length fee. ”. Step 1: Identify and describe the target. Plain Language Summaries. Just because someone can read instructions written at a grade 14 level doesn’t mean they. When people understand what they read, they need fewer explanations and make fewer mistakes. Replace verb-noun phrases and wordy phrases with more precise words. Historical Quotes. Some of that spilled over to Twitter: We also published this story in more accessible plain-language English, audio & Spanish. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. 420. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. To provide an opportunity for public feedback, we created the CMS Plain Language . If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs. 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. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. The Plain Language community is a group of government employees and contractors dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. Dictionaries, thesauruses, and grammar sites are excellent tools that can help you clarify your word choice. Designing for reading is an important part of developing effective communications. The material available about plain language is. 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. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Using Plain Language. • Participated in the Plain Language Community of Practice. 1. Testing your writing to make sure it’s clear to.