Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. See individual courses for textbook details. 4. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance. gov. This can be hard in healthcare where medical terminology and acronyms prevail. “And/or” is a classic example. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. This article is structured as follows. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. It is intended to make government communications. 420. Help the reader understand the order in which things happen. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. ”4. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. They want to scan, not read. Longer papers are assessed an excess length fee. Then, agencies will simplify and review the content on a regular basis to ensure these documents follow plain language writing and design. *You work through modules independently, but you must submit group. Before and after plain language examples demonstrate how scientific documents can be translated into plain language. USA. Learning. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. In this course, you’ll learn the writing standards and practices outlined within the plain language field. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. 1. webpage . For example, “Please make an application for a personal loan” is longer and less clear than “Please apply for a personal loan. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. PLAIN LANGUAGE definition: language that is clear and easy to understand , with no ambiguity or unnecessarily. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Typically it is written at a 6th-8th grade reading level for the. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. What federal law requires of us We must use plain language so you can understand: Our benefits and services and how to get them How to file taxes when you receive our benefits or services How to comply with our. Our five-step checklist will guide you through the plain language process and help you develop content that’s right for your organization. Plain Language at NIH. Although plain language is a familiar idea, many organizations don’t use it as often as they should. Looking aheadThe Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. In short, you should always aim for clarity, readability, and brevity. Agencies are required to take steps to support their people to use plain language. They also didn't have a negative reaction to the simplified content. It helps readers access and use the content without confusion, frustration, or extra. 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. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. The journal features the latest plain language research, practical advice, before-and-after examples, success stories, campaign strategies and much more. The purpose of a pla in-lan guage approach in written communications is to convey. 1 This tool aims to support a systematic review of your material. Plain language strategy #2: We make shorter. 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. Long, flowing sentences and the passive voice can occasionally be useful, but they shouldn’t have a large presence in your content. We continue to revise it every few. The bill would create plain language requirements including:Tuesday, October 27, 2020 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM ET. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as:. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. . If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. We provide a free half-day introduction to plain language to federal agencies. Use Microsoft Word’s Readability Statistics feature—part of the Spelling & Grammar check—to measure your progress as you write and edit copy. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both organizational compliance. 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 USDA plain language coordinators can be found by contacting us via plainlanguage@usda. 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. When we write in the negative, we place another stumbling block in audience’s way and make it more difficult for them to understand us. According to the government's Plain Language. As: Use as, as if, as though, or other similar expressions as a conjunction in written documents. 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. Find Canadian and international resources. In addition. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. For example, the phrase “people who are incarcerated” is wordier but more representative and equitable than the term “inmates. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. ”. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to train staff to use plain language when they communicate with. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese, doublespeak, gibberish, gobbledygook, skotison. The plain language definition states, at its core, that plain language is easily and quickly understandable. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. Rather, by choosing straightforward vocabulary and sentence structures and by organizing and presenting your material. When you communicate with the public and other partners, it is best practice to use Plain Language or “Plain Talk. Plain-language research also necessarily intersects with design (Mazur, 2000). Write in a conversational tone. Plain language is personal. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Every organization has long-term employees who’ve worked in government for decades. Through numerous exercises as well as examples from a variety of federal and state. ” The phrase certainly shouldn’t connote drab and dreary language. It’s especially important to test our assumptions in government, because we’re often writing for thousands or even millions of people. “It’s not easily understood. You may use any of the. We at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to improving our service to you by writing in plain language. " SAMHSA. I do think there’s an obligation to recognize that if your goal is to inform the. Plain language is information that readers can understand the first time they read it and use easily. S. Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. 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. Join 1,990 Plain Language community members. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. This page last reviewed on. Beginning in 2022, Pfizer will be disclosing the results of all global clinical trials—phases 1 through 4—in plain language. Choose your words carefully. A hidden verb (or nominalization) is a verb converted into a noun. The bigger the block of text, the harder it is to read. Thanks to internet sorcery, we can even take advantage of free tools to quickly gauge the reading level of our writing. You know what you are trying to say – make sure the reader does, too. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. In general. PLAIN has been connecting plain language people for 30 years now. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). While the Act does not cover regulations, three separate Executive Orders emphasize the need for plain language: E. This plain-language course will: Outline a writer’s obligations under the Plain Writing Act. For other groups, such as people living with dementia, learning new terms is not. Plain language looks at the whole message from the reader’s perspective, including wording, structure, and design elements. The ability to communicate and explain research in plain language is a critical skill. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. They concluded that the organization did not have a true process or standard for. Plain English writing style. You must have at least 20 participants. Antiquated words flourish words such as herein, therein,Plain language is a necessity and can have a big payoff for both consumers and organizations. Using plain language can advance health literacy, build trust in your organization as a source of information, and promote overall community health. 15, to require state agencies to adopt a plain language policy to ensure that information is easy to understand and. § 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. Here are some examples, both historical and current. the proper approach to legal writing. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. Plain language makes information easier to find, read and understand. Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. plain language. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. It . “If you think about it, a lot of the communication that we send out to our families flies in the face of this,” said Ogando. He includes the following words in. In the U. This thesaurus offers plain language equivalents to medical terms, phrases, and references that we often use. [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. We must use plain language in any document that. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. This construction makes clear to the reader who is to. 71 Plain . We must use plain language in any document that – is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes provides information about any federal government benefit or service, or explains to the public. 2. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. Cost. You should format your letter like the one shown in the guidebook. S. Learn more about the government’s plain language standard and find a checklist to help you in your projects. 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 Training Resources . M. The Plain Language Summary (PLS) should convey the same information as the Abstract but in a completely different language and tone. Next, against the background of the. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Governments at all levels, especially the federal government, are using plain language more extensively. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Links. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. Plain language (also called Plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. One legal scholar calls abbreviations a “menace to prose” (Kimble, 2006). Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. 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. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. It helps us write for people who read at all levels of time, interest, education and. Choose your words carefully. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. ”. It is simple and direct but not simplistic or patronizing. Page 5. Abstract. Any paragraph that can be broken up into shorter paragraphs (or into other elements) makes your message more effective. Federal employees speak. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. The law requires federal agencies to. means you are communicating with your audience in a way . Your Reader is a Person. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. feedback form posted on the page. This timeline is an abbreviated and updated version of A History of Plain Language in the Government by Joanne Locke. 2020-2021 Access for All: Plain Language is a Civil Right. 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 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. It has become so corrupted by misuse that it has no firm meaning. 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. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and. [1] The Act applies to public service agencies and Crown agents. Here are some style guides. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. organized to serve the reader’s needs. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. Virtual International plain language conference (2020) – Access for all : Plain Language is a Civil Right – Part 1. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. The material available about plain language is. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. 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. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English. Using plain language can help workplaces communicate. She was very small when she was born. We need trainers to help us provide plain language training to government agencies. Readers call less often for explanations. Use even more headings with less under each heading. The plain language version has found an audience outside the disability community, too. Enhancing our Web pages. The title, authors, affiliations, key points, keywords, text in tables (but not captions) and references are excluded from word counts. 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. Many famous writers, politicians, and others have commented over the centuries on the importance of writing clearly and briefly. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. 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. 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. In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. uses active voice. 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. Designing for reading is an important part of developing effective communications. It is also called plain English or plain writing. -Governor Jay Inslee signed an Executive Order on Wednesday, Nov. The second event will take place May 11-13, 2021 . Start by researching your topic, understanding your audience, and planning and organizing how you will present your information. Letters and notices. Words matter. You can see how shorter paragraphs improve your readability score. [4] Plain writing, as defined by the PWA, is “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. All of our classes are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and involve interactive writing exercises. This group was and remains the center of the US movement for plain language. This definition of plain language is ‘reader-based’ and not [a] ‘text-based’ analysis of a writing style. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. Businesses such as banks, insurance companies, law firms, legal services and IT companies use plain language to communicate with customers. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. 1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an online health literacy training for health professionals. Describes why plain language is a promising strategy for clearly communicating health information and improving health literacy. Actions are verbs. 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. These are valuable to a range of readers, including patients, patient advocates, the general public, non-specialist clinicians, research scientists, decision-makers. The use of plain language is spreading in many areas of American culture. There is no one ‘right’ way to express an idea. Since legalese takes longer to draft, read, and understand, it often falls short of the drafter’s primary goal of precision. Plain Language is a clear way of writing and sharing information so that people can understand it the first time they read or hear it. Your main goal is to convey your ideas with the greatest possible clarity. clear or distinct to the eye or ear. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. These summaries are intended for a broad and inclusive audience that encompasses. People think I can teach them style. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. It is. What is plain language? Nowadays, we have a (fairly) robust understanding of what makes writing readable. Also called plain language . Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. As an editor of technical, statistical reports, I see authors making a number of mistakes in approach, execution and English. Plain language summaries are designed to be readily understood by anyone who is interested in the content of peer-reviewed research articles, be they specialists or non-specialists Citation 5, Citation 6. Plain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. gov. You can see it in action right here! plain language. In either case, court staff may spend time explaining theAbstract. $350–$930/course, not including textbooks. It’s not just about the words you choose, but your overall ability to. But as these pages discuss, we still have a long. 1, with a range of 6. determine if such treaties are becoming easier to read or if improvements are still needed. In each section, you will find a number of cards you can flip through to learn. 6 What documents must use plain language. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. Chunked content: Don’t try to pack everything into long paragraphs. Think through the questions your users likely have and then organize the material in a logical order. Break documents into separate topics. Plain-language documents are accessible and present information in a way that is easy to absorb. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. It has become so corrupted by misuse that it has no firm meaning. Author: Barbro Ehrenberg-Sundin. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. • Participated in the Plain Language Community of Practice. Put the most important information at the top and the background at the bottom. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various. ”the Plain Language Movement, legal language, and rhetoric, and 3. This guidance sets out the steps agencies should take to comply with the Plain Language Act 2022. 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. gov. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Yes, you did. We continue toOLYMPIA, Wash. 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. Refer to the reader as you, but not if it sounds accusatory or insulting. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. , the Plain Writing Act of 2010 took effect in October 2011 (see below). Direct, accessible language is often called plain language. Plain language writing and design ensures information is concise, inclusive and easy to understand. View the Jargon Madness slides (PowerPoint presentation, 1. 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. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Too often, I’ve been unable to decipher just what is. Easy to read, easy to understand and easy to use, plain language—plain English— lands your organization in the users’ world. [10]Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. Building and sustaining a culture of plain language – Hennepin County, Minnesota. gov. ”. (1) In this Act, a document for which a reporting agency is responsible is a relevant document if—. Using plain language [3] helps agencies do this more. You may be required to prepare a Plain Language Summary for a journal article submission, a grant application. These principles are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and tailored for regulations. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Style guides. Words matter. The first step is to implement an official plain language policy. 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. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Help readers skim and scan. Actually, plain English is typically quite interesting to read. Tommy Thompson, George W. Hosted by Digital. They make fewer errors filling out forms. Bibliographic resources about health literacy. gov for more guidance on using plain language. Hard writing makes easy reading. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a plain language standard: ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language — Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. Plain language is designed to communicate information as clearly as possible so it can reach as many people as possible. 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. Plain Language WebsiteUsing Plain Language makes it easier for the reader to accurately interpret your message. By October 13 2011, we will use plain language in any new or substantially revised document that:. . Regulations. 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. Published: 2004. As Justice Clarence Thomas once said, the “beauty is not to write a five cent idea in a ten dollar sentence” but rather “to put a ten dollar idea in a five cent sentence. Find out about the Plain. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. Sometimes verb phrases would make good headings for procedural sections of rules. If your preceding paragraph describes the process of strip mining, and your next paragraph begins with “this process causes…,” the word this makes a clear connection between paragraphs. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. A word about “plain English. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. The IRB has compiled a document entitled Consent Library which includes Plain Language descriptions of procedures and corresponding risk information. Testing Your Document’s Readability. Plain language means just that: speaking in language that is clear and easy to understand. The first plain language regulation was a FCC regulation on operating ham radios. Steps to success 1. What is Plain Language? Importance of Plain. Plain language summaries (PLSs) have been introduced to communicate research in an understandable way to a nonexpert audience. Identify their top tasks. Plain Language in Plain English. (Active) The police stopped the riot. • Met with representatives from other agencies to discuss plain language procedures and best practices. Plain language lists can help spot problem words and consider alternatives, but keep in mind that plain language is more than just a list of words to avoid—it’s a way of writing. These “Plain Language Summary for a Pro Se Litigant” sections have now made their way into First Step Act jurisprudence. Use plain language. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Use positive language. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. adult reads at an eight-grade level, which makes. 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 credibility of being developed with input and support from many plain-language. Plain Language: Getting Started or Brushing Up. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Lists highlight a series of steps, requirements, or pieces of information in a visually clear way. This chapter will introduce you to the principles of plain language and allow you to practise them. O. Right of use means any authorization issued under this part that allows use of Outer Continental Shelf lands. At [Agency Name], we are committed to writing in plain language and using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines: We have. T. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort.