Plain language. We aim to bring you timely information about the work of CDC and other organizations to improve health literacy. Plain language

 
We aim to bring you timely information about the work of CDC and other organizations to improve health literacyPlain language  Replace verb-noun phrases and wordy phrases with more precise words

$350–$930/course, not including textbooks. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Plain language also has the secondary benefit of potentially saving courts time and money. How to Apply Plain Language Techniques in Technical Documents. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. If your customers don’t understand your documents, you. Plain Language Act 2022 — New Zealand Legislation. By the mid-1980s, there was a widespread sense that plain-language advocates. Plain language is a communication that is clear, simple, and easy to understand. Great if you need to explain the importance of plain language to your boss. You achieve plain English when you use the simplest, most straightforward way of expressing an idea. Providing training to all staff in a variety of ways, including the Department of Health and Human Services Plain Language online modules, webinars, and in-person training. To celebrate, we’re putting together a collection of 30 of the people who have kept the campaign thriving. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. Tommy Thompson, George W. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a plain language standard: ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language — Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. When people understand what they read, they need fewer explanations and make fewer mistakes. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. Use lists. They point to an antecedent. The material available about plain language is. gov. Plain. . What is Plain Language? Importance of Plain. Plain language can be useful in an academic setting. The materials are similar in both. 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. . 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. The Clarity Journal is distributed free to. 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. Our growing network includes members from over 30 countries working in clear communication in at least 15 languages. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN. The bigger the block of text, the harder it is to read. Mysterious in form and expression, it is larded with law-Latin and Norman-French, heavily dependent on the past, and unashamedly archaic. The Summit will begin at 10:00 am, ET, and conclude at 3:45 pm, ET. Language allows us to communicate our. On the six cards below, learn about what to do before you start writing. ”. Then, agencies will simplify and review the content on a regular basis to ensure these documents follow plain language writing and design. Before. Writing Plain Language for Law (PLNL510) Plain Language in Health Literacy (PLNL520) Technical Writing and Editing (TCOM120) Copy Editing (EDIT210) Learning materials. For more than forty years, I’ve studied the documents that public companies file. O. We continue toOLYMPIA, Wash. 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. The law requires that federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use. Rather, by choosing straightforward vocabulary and sentence structures and by organizing and presenting your material. It is also called plain English or plain writing. A great deal of research connected to the Center for Civic Design has well established the design/plain language relationship through effective voting ballots. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Plain Language Summaries. Maintained Plain Language intranet and internet webpages. Plain language refers to clear communication that an audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. They also allow audience members to skim chunks of text to easily gather. Legalese versus plain language by Peter Butt Legal English has traditionally been a special variety of English. The Plain Language community is a group of government employees and contractors dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. This can be hard in healthcare where medical terminology and acronyms prevail. The law requires federal agencies to. Also called plain language . In general. uses “you” and other pronouns to speak to the reader. 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. All of our classes are based on the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and involve interactive writing exercises. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. Agency programs and contacts. Writing in short, simple words doesn’t mean you are ‘dumbing down’ the message. Plain language strategy #1: We make shorter paragraphs. Virtual Event, 13 October 2020. 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. Ask if one of our experienced trainers is available for your agency. When users do not understand court forms, they either complete the forms incorrectly or call the court for more information. It improves reading comprehension, accessibility, and ethical action. In 2021, the Civil Rights Division (CRT) provided Plain Language training both to the Civil Rights Division and to the Department at large. Read more to see how plain language can be as . . (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. vivid. Use short sentences: aim for an average word count of 20. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. It has become so corrupted by misuse that it has no firm meaning. The most recent example from U. It might be science journalists, healthcare practitioners, academic professionals, policymakers or the general public; they need to understand and engage with the research. First, lawyers regularly misuse it to mean something other than “has a duty to. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. It helps us write for people who read at all levels of time, interest, education and. Use lists to help your user focus on important material. Plain Language Materials & Resources. We’ll train your managers as well. clear or distinct to the eye or ear. 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. Sign up for our weekly health literacy updates. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Your table of contents should be a reliable roadmap that users can follow to quickly find what they need. The intended readership of plain language summaries can include patients, patient advocates, caregivers, members of the media, busy. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. 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. Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. to stand in plain view. 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. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). Take your audience’s current level of knowledge into account. Plain English is clear and direct speech or writing in English. 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 definition: language that is clear and easy to understand , with no ambiguity or unnecessarily. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. Every thought can be expressed in many different ways and the variety comes from the individual way we approach an idea or. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve all communication as it. 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. Develop a strong plan that is also flexible. Plain-language research also necessarily intersects with design (Mazur, 2000). Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. Use plain words Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand. Explain the Federal Plain Language Guidelines. Using Plain 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. Next, against the background of the. 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. “It’s not easily understood. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. . This guidance sets out the steps agencies should take to comply with the Plain Language Act 2022. 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. Explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces. ” A plain language summary (PLS) summarizes a scientific study and its results to help people without scientific expertise, or from another. Plain Language. § Research tells us that most readability formulas are. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. The Plain Language Act applies to content in English that is intended for the general public. Plain-language advocates often trumpet this utility by demonstrating that doc - uments written in plain language are easier to use than docu-ments that feature jargon, convoluted paragraphs, and crowded visual design. ”. Let’s look at two. The purpose of a pla in-lan guage approach in written communications is to convey. In short, you should always aim for clarity, readability, and brevity. In Australia, plain language has become a commercial success. 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. What is plain language? Nowadays, we have a (fairly) robust understanding of what makes writing readable. . It means you are communicating your important and complex ideas. Here are 10 simple ways, with examples, to be plain. Longer papers are assessed an excess length fee. In addition. [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. Join the national plain language movement. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. This page last reviewed on. Speakers address debunking myths, meeting varying audience’s needs,. Ambiguous Wording Rewritten. ”you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. reading level or below. You can see it in action right here! Click the text next to each paragraph to read it in plain language. Words to avoid. Use plainlanguage. In others, such as when you’re writing a blog, you’ll soundMake a commitment. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. . Resist the urge to sound formal. They want to scan, not read. Our biannual journal, The Clarity Journal, is the leading source of plain language news and research from across the globe. By using plain language, you increase the likelihood someone will understand your messaging. Plain language is clear language. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. If your customers don’t understand your documents, you may have to: Answer phone calls. Plain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. Plain Language &. In this 4-week online training, you will: complete 4 modules (1 module each week) be assigned to a small group. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. People come to government websites and services with a specific task in mind. You may use any of the. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. 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. Using plain language can help workplaces communicate. They consist of a plain language title (~50 words) and a clear summary of the article using non-technical language, making it accessible to a wider network of readers (~300 words). 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. “Shall” has three strikes against it. The audiences include, but are not limited to, practitioners, policy makers, the public, and/or professionals in nearby disciplines. The public is beginning to see the difference plain, clear writing can make. Apocrypha. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Try to make your reading ease number go up and. To communicate professionally, you need to know when and how to use either active or passive voice. Identify their top tasks. Write for your reader, not yourself. T. In either case, court staff may spend time explaining theAbstract. Plain Language has been a stylistic goal for all Federal Government communication since at least 2010, with passage of the The Plain Language Act. A discipline that might eventually become known as ‘plain language studies’ is beginning to emerge through the collaboration of individual plain language proponents (plainers for short). Our trainers are federal employees from across. Plain Language Day is celebrated on 13 October each year. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. Plain language fixes this problem. It makes writing easy to read for more people. Award winners. Write it into contracts to require any vendors and contractors to follow the plain language, people-first style. Use even more lists than on paper. She was very small when she was born. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) website was launched in 1994; regular meetings began in 1995. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious. Writing in plain English and legal writing have the same goal: communicating complex ideas in a digestible and manageable form. Using Plain language: In general, keep language. . Meet other Canadians doing plain language work. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide. Plain Language Training Resources . Preface by Warren E. Plain language myths. 1. Write annual compliance reports and post these reports on its plain language web page. You can also watch the 28-minute, 13-second video on YouTube. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. It is communication your audience can understand the first time they encounter it. In her literature review “ Plain Language in the U. Plain language makes information easier to find, read and understand. People are more likely to trust and act on information they understand. Although NIMS guidance only requires plain language use in mutual aid events, the wayThe Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to train their staff in plain language. (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . 111-274) defines plain writing as: “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field. . “And/or” is a classic example. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. Plain language summaries (PLS) are summaries of scientific articles and congress abstracts written in easy-to-read, non-technical language . 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. 6. 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. Yes, you did. This plain-language course will: Outline a writer’s obligations under the Plain Writing Act. plain language. The Nielsen Norman Group has done multiple studies on PDFs and has consistently found. What’s plain language? Plain language is a writing technique that prioritizes simple words and straightforward sentence structures. 01 Introduction. In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. means you are communicating with your audience in a way . It means you are communicating your important and complex ideas. Documents that must use plain language. Train-the-trainer bootcamp. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. A study of how users with lower literacy skills read and navigate on the web, for example, found that even users with graduate degrees completed tasks faster when language was simplified. Plain language is a way of writing and presenting information that is clear, concise, and easy to understand by your intended audience. Use short lists and bullets to organize information. (the person, group or thing that the action is done to). Typically it is written at a 6th-8th grade reading level for the. It has become so corrupted by misuse that it has no firm meaning. Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. Reference Oppenheimer, D. Half-day presentations. Use informative headings and subheadings if the document is lengthy? Use white space for easy scanning? Use lists and tables to simplify complex material? Download the PDF Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both organizational compliance. Minimize abbreviations. Many SAGE journals now accept PLS and some have made them mandatory for all. Guidelines for writing PLSs have been developed and empirical research on PLSs has been conducted, but terminology and research approaches in this comparatively young field vary considerably. • Participated in the Plain Language Community of Practice. Here are some style guides. The report card evaluates these agencies on organizational compliance and writing quality. In each section, you will find a number of cards you can flip through to learn. A guide for plain language technical writing. This book has great real-world examples proving how plain language can save your organization money and time. 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. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. When drafting a plain language text, there are 5 general areas to consider: 1. 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. Plain language has been around in the government for over 40 years. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and. Plain Language in Government Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide shows you how to apply federal plain-language guidelines to every type of writing — from emails, memos, and letters to agency communications, technical procedures, and budget justification statements. People with language impairments often have a reduced vocabulary and learning new terms is a very slow difficult process. As the starting point and at every point, design and write the document in a way that best serves the reader. These new website pages apply the task-focused approach and Plain Writing guidelines to encourage skimming, scanning, and selecting. Source: International Plain Language Federation. In business, a message is only effective when it is understood. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. (2006). Looking aheadThe Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. S. Legal Writing Institute Awards: Joe Kimble is chair of the Outreach Committee for the Legal Writing Institute’s Golden Pen Award. 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. It is also called plain English or plain writing. 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. In fact, legalese makes lawyers’ writings so incomprehensible that the US Congress regularly introduces ‘plain language’ Bills to regulate them. A common myth is that plain language is incompatible with teaching complex subjects. Law and requirements. Her parents think she knows some signs. Start by researching your topic, understanding your audience, and planning and organizing how you will present your information. Learn how to use plain language in federal communications and access official writing guidelines, training materials, and examples. It’s a lot of edu-jargon. 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. [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. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is an unfunded working group of federal employees from different agencies and specialties who support the use of clear communication in government writing. No. We need trainers to help us provide plain language training to government agencies. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. For this 10th anniversary, we evaluated 21 Executive Branch agencies, including all 15 cabinet-level departments. Buffett from the SEC’s Plain English Handbook, 1998. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an online health literacy training for health professionals. Plain language (also called Plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. Hosted by Digital. 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. On the six cards below, learn. They make fewer errors filling out forms. (Active)Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. [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. Plain language is universal. Learn how they used plain language in COVID-19 agency responses, and how they combined plain language, accessibility, and user experience. Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Plain Language Tips & Examples Plain language helps readers quickly and easily understand your message. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. Organize your writing so it’s easy to follow along. Learn the definition, guidelines, purposes, and examples of plain language. I do think there’s an obligation to recognize that if your goal is to inform the. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. Plain language (also called Plain English or lay language) is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Plain language checklist. Download the 2021 Report Card. Plain language is clearer. 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. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Keep the reader in mind as you make decisions about organizing and formatting your health information. By October 13 2011, we will use plain language in any new or substantially revised document that:. Word choice is an important part of. Short Definition of Plain Language. 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. Several months after FCC issued the regulation, the questions had fallen off so far that all. Additionally, Guiding Principles recommends the use of plain language principles along with the use of health equity concepts and the language necessary to accurately and equitably represent all people. 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 at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. recent trends in plain language that move beyond comprehension and task com - pletion to building user trust. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. Hidden verbs come in two forms. 6. 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. 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. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 into law on. 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. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. Professor Joseph Kimble (2006), a noted scholar on legal writing, warns that we should avoid words and formalisms that give legal writing its musty smell. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. While plain language became law for government agencies, it was also used across different industries to improve communication. 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. 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.