History and timeline. To provide an opportunity for public feedback, we created the CMS Plain Language . She was very small when she was born. Complex topics can be clearly communicated with plain language without losing substance. To celebrate, we’re putting together a collection of 30 of the people who have kept the campaign thriving. Avoid PDF overload. Plain language makes it easier for everyone to understand and use health information. Designing for reading is an important part of developing effective communications. Avoid the third person when the second person works. ” Writing in plain. Words matter. In the U. Plain Language at NIH. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. gov. The Plain Language Bill is a Member’s bill in the name of Rachel Boyack MP. As an author, you should. 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. It not only gives still-very-relevant lessons on why plain. In most cases, writers mean either “or” or “and. 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. Plain language avoids unnecessarily complicated or obtuse technical language in favor. In fact, organizations such as Plain Language Association InterNational, Clarity International, and the Plain Language Ac -For most journals, Research Articles are allowed to be up to 25 publication units (PU), where 1 PU is 500 words or 1 display element (figure or table). The plain language summaries for completed projects have an average reading level of 8. We at the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to writing all of our new documents in plain language, starting. See individual courses for textbook details. You can also use the toggle on the top right to switch everything to. This timeline is an abbreviated and updated version of A History of Plain Language in the Government by Joanne Locke. An old adage. This book has great real-world examples proving how plain language can save your organization money and time. We ask only that you credit our work by citing back to PLAIN and. President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 [PDF - 124 KB] on October 13, 2010. Our growing network includes members from over 30 countries working in clear communication in at least 15 languages. Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. They also allow audience members to skim chunks of text to easily gather. By October 13 2011, we will use plain language in any new or substantially revised document that:. PLAIN LANGUAGE definition: language that is clear and easy to understand , with no ambiguity or unnecessarily. Plain language checklist. Our Plain Language Liaisons report on what staff in their units are doing to review and revise documents — view before/after examples. Reference Oppenheimer, D. Jargon Madness is a plain language conversation starter that cuts across the organizational chart. Although. In Conclusion. The law requires that federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use. “Shall” has three strikes against it. The Plain Language Act aims to make democracy more inclusive, especially for people with disabilities and those with lower levels of education. The Plain Language Act applies to content in English that is intended for the general public. Several months after FCC issued the regulation, the questions had fallen off so far that all. Plain language summaries (PLS) are summaries of scientific articles and congress abstracts written in easy-to-read, non-technical language . 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. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to train staff to use plain language when they communicate with. Describes why plain language is a promising strategy for clearly communicating health information and improving health literacy. For the 2021 Federal Plain Language Report Card, the judges focused on the main Coronavirus pages and the main Freedom of. There will be two sessions each day. gov, plain language helps the reader: Find what they. One of the types of technical writing is legal writing. Yes, you did. Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. uses short sections and short sentences. Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. Join 1,990 Plain Language community members. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. This website consists of five sections and a checklist you can print. The Act was signed in October 2010, but some federal agencies have been promoting the use of plain language for years. We need trainers to help us provide plain language training to government agencies. Our first guest is Lynda Harris from New Zealand. you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way. When you communicate with the public and other partners, it is best practice to use Plain Language or “Plain Talk. You can also watch the 28-minute, 13-second video on YouTube. It makes writing easy to read for more people. complete group discussion assignments (usually due Tuesdays and Fridays) spend about 2 hours per week on coursework. 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. Its distinguishing features include the tendency toward excessively complicated grammar and overformality. 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). Introduction. Additional plain language history is covered in Plain Language in the U. If in Microsoft Word, a. " The January 21, 2009, Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government also highlights the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. 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. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. It avoids verbose, convoluted language and jargon. 2. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate clearly. Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes. 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. Don’t use slashes. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. It . Use pronouns when you can. Learning. gov. S Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Veterans Benefits Administration (to. ”. PLAIN LANGUAGE •Kyra is autistic and deaf. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. The active voice eliminates confusion by forcing you to name the actor in a sentence. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. Plain Language saves money, increases efficiency, and reduces the need for clarification. 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. (the person, group or thing doing the action); (the action itself); and. Plain language works with whatever style you follow. Before and after. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. 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 evaluated 21 Executive Branch agencies, including all 15 cabinet-level departments. Plain language helps you better understand your audience and how your audience uses the content you create. Limit each paragraph to one idea and keep it short. What is plain language? Plain language is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand communication. Many famous writers, politicians, and others have commented over the centuries on the importance of writing clearly and briefly. The material available about plain language is. American Sign Language. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. – understand what they find. Bibliographic resources about health literacy. This three-hour online workshop by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. You know what you are trying to say – make sure the reader does, too. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. By itself, plain language could not have completely alleviated the. Just because someone can read instructions written at a grade 14 level doesn’t mean they. plain talk. Speech given to 600 high-level Mexican public servants at the launching plain language conference Lenguaje ciudadano on the 5th of October 2004. If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. 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. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires agencies to write documents for the public that are easy to understand and use. Write for the reader, not for yourself. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. They are the most basic building blocks of written and spoken communication. Top 10 Principles for Plain Language. Learn what plain language is and how to write in plain language with best practices and examples. gov. 1. It has 5 general areas to consider: audience and purpose, structure, design, expression, and. Plain language fixes this problem. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper — or keystroke to keyboard. (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist . Agencies earned grades between A and F for both. Plain language myths. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Plain English writing style. Plain language begins long before you put pen to paper—or keystroke to keyboard. Plain language is grammatically correct and universally understood language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Tommy Thompson, George W. -Governor Jay Inslee signed an Executive Order on Wednesday, Nov. 12866, E. Plain language also has the secondary benefit of potentially saving courts time and money. (2) WEBSITE. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. No. Whether you call such writing the opposite of gobbledygook or legalese, or just sloppy work, you know. ) Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. The following Executive Orders emphasize the need for plain language in regulations:Since 2011, the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly report card to show how well federal agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. Select the most appropriate. Plain language, according to NIMS, is the use of common terms and definitions that can be understood by individuals from all responder disciplines. The dissatisfaction with legalese sparked the Plain Language Movement in. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. A clear,. Email plainwriting@nara. 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. both plain language and coded language in the same transmission, causing confusion. ”. T. Explain what plain language is and is not. Plain language is not. We have previously worked with the National Institutes of Health, U. Describe how writers should handle multiple audiences. Plain language is a necessary—but not the only—requirement in complex communication situations. Successful plain language projects involve learning and leading from both sides. ”. Award winners. Avoid Overly Complicated Language. Using plain language can help workplaces communicate. 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. “Mike’s talking about a two-step approach with some good language attached to the CR,” Jordan said. Tuesday, August 11, 2020 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET. Use even more lists than on paper. WHAT IS PLAIN LANGUAGE? Plain language (also known as plain English) is a way of writing or presenting information so that readers can understand it quickly and easily. For regulations and other complex documents, create a comprehensive table of contents. Using plain language on government websites is one of the best ways to reach your target audience. Before and after plain language examples demonstrate how scientific documents can be translated into plain language. He includes the following words in. ” Plain Talk makes it easier for people to read, understand, and use your communications or educational materials. Plain language summaries (PLS) are typically short synopses of peer-reviewed journal publications that simplify the complex. . The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group fighting for public information to be written in plain English. S. 5. Plain Language &. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. Take train-the-trainer bootcamp through plainlanguage. Some of that spilled over to Twitter: We also published this story in more accessible plain-language English, audio & Spanish. Be prepared to educate and learn along the way. 6. Follow established web-writing guidelines to maximize readability. We’re a nonprofit organization run entirely on a volunteer basis. Typically it is written at a 6th-8th grade reading level for the. 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. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital. Many of your high-level managers and. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith. 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. a plain trail to the river. The aim is that anyone looking for information about the key points of a Cochrane Review can read and understand them. We have edited this list. 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. Regulations. Join the national plain language movement. 6 . 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. is Peter (he is doing the watching); We will consider this matter shortly. It might be science journalists, healthcare practitioners, academic professionals, policymakers or the general public; they need to understand and engage with the research. 5. Apocrypha. This is the 11th time the Center for Plain Language has issued a yearly Report Card evaluating how well agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. conveying the meaning clearly and simply; easily understood. In this 4-week online training, you will: complete 4 modules (1 module each week) be assigned to a small group. “Shall” has three strikes against it. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. You can flip the cards. We offer free, half-day training classes for federal agencies. When people understand messages quickly and fully, there will usually be less confusion, less need for re-explanation, and fewer mistakes. Step 1: Identify and describe the target. “It’s not easily understood. Replacing complex words with simpler words whenever possible lets your readers concentrate on your ideas and information. 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. Don’t complicate things by using jargon, technical terms, or abbreviations that people won’t understand. And you were writing for a professor as your only reader. In general. Writing and reference tools. The Plain Language Commission accredits public documents and websites with the Clear English Standard logo and provides training in plain language. gov for more guidance on using plain language. 3. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. 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. But as these pages discuss, we still have a long. 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 opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese, doublespeak, gibberish, gobbledygook, skotison. Following a successful presentation to STC Phoenix on Plain Language and Simplified Technical English, NAU Senior Lecturer Erika Konrad and alumna Karen Field Carroll joined TechWhirl for a Fast 5 discussion on what’s happening with these two global trends, and how they can impact tech comm and other content professionals. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. 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. S. Plain-language documents are accessible and present information in a way that is easy to absorb. Originally called the Plain English Network, PLAIN has been meeting informally since the mid 1990s. Demand. Here are some examples, both historical and current. plain language. Posting PDF versions (PDFs) of original documents on your site would seem to be an obvious alternative to rewriting your content in web format. Plain language would have helped clearly communicate the purpose to the public, so there would have been less confusion and mistrust. You must have at least 20 participants. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as:. We first developed this document in the mid-90s. There will be two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break for lunch. $350–$930/course, not including textbooks. 5. The English language allows many ways to. Readers call less often for explanations. Write to the reader, using the pronoun “you” as much as possible. Lists are useful because they: Highlight levels of importance. Then, agencies will simplify and review the content on a regular basis to ensure these documents follow plain language writing and design. These summaries are intended for a broad and inclusive audience that encompasses. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. A common myth is that plain language is incompatible with teaching complex subjects. Try to make your reading ease number go up and. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. President Clinton was an advocate and signed two executive orders and issued a Memorandum on Plain Language in Government Writing. 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 mission of the USAGov program is to make it easier for people to find and understand the government services and information they need—anytime, anywhere, any way they want. Keep the reader in mind as you make decisions about organizing and formatting your health information. ) written for the average reader. Plain language is writing that the intended audience can understand and act upon the first time they read it. They also didn't have a negative reaction to the simplified content. 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. Agency programs and contacts. We’re accustomed to thinking and speaking positively. For example, “Please make an application for a personal loan” is longer and less clear than “Please apply for a personal loan. 6. ”. 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. 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. Plain language works with. It’s not simplified language; it’s direct language that doesn’t contain any flair or fluff. organized to serve the reader’s needs. Hosted by Digital. Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. This can be hard in healthcare where medical terminology and acronyms prevail. It is intended to make government communications. 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. We’ll use plenty of before-and-after examples. (If you don’t see your agency’s program listed here, contact us so we can include it. 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. As a communication strategy, it can save time, money, and effort. Published: 2004. Preface by Warren E. And best practices for a patient audience include keeping content between a 6. both plain language and coded language in the same transmission, causing confusion. Indeed, scientific information conveyed in plain language invariable reaches. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (P. Antiquated words flourish words such as herein, therein,Plain language is a necessity and can have a big payoff for both consumers and organizations. Communicators must translate technical information into messages non-expert audiences can understand. Plain language is a way of writing so that more people can easily read and understand your content. 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. Review plain language guidelines for using verbs, nouns, and pronouns. Her parents think she knows some signs. Writing in short, simple words doesn’t mean you are ‘dumbing down’ the message. § Research tells us that most readability formulas are. Plain Language. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. Use even more headings with less under each heading. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. 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. Every thought can be expressed in many different ways and the variety comes from the individual way we approach an idea or. Reports and brochures. O. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Agencies are required to take steps to support their people to use plain language. S. 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. 71 Plain . As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Today, it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as “plain English” (Bailey, 2008). If you have an update, please let us know at info@plainlanguage. S. Choose your words carefully and be consistent in your writing style. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. 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. 1, May 2011 i Introduction The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a community of federal employees dedicated to the idea that citizens deserve clear communications from government. Ambiguous Wording Rewritten. 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. You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. These “Plain Language Summary for a Pro Se Litigant” sections have now made their way into First Step Act jurisprudence. We all do! From language learners to advanced readers, everyone benefits from plain language. This Plain Language Thesaurus has been put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Marketing. Like: Do not use like as a conjunction when writing; use it as a preposition. These resources will help you and your colleagues create better content through plain. Any paragraph that can be broken up into shorter paragraphs (or into other elements) makes your message more effective. The Plain Language Action and Information Network develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the General Services Administration. They want to scan, not read. People think I can teach them style. 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. Published: 2002. ”. Plain language is writing designed to ensure the reader understands as quickly, easily, and completely as possible. This page last reviewed on. Plain language is a communication that is clear, simple, and easy to understand. Use plain language. 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. As a federal website, the content is in the public domain. Find useful writing tips and fresh points of view from today’s plain language innovators. Our aim is to help make health information clear and easy to understand. It looks as if the proposed law will become effective later this month. ”A clear, simple summary written in plain language helps people to understand complex health evidence. The credibility of being developed with input and support from many plain-language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. Federal Plain Language Guidelines. Agencies earned grades between A and F for both organizational compliance. Also called plain language . Plain language movements originated in the 1970s in several countries, including the UK, US and Canada. Write for your reader, not yourself. Cochrane Plain language summaries are freely available on cochrane. The opposite of plain English goes by various names: bureaucratese,. In 2008, the two main international umbrella organizations (Clarity and PLAIN) and the Center for Plain Language in the United States set up a. gov. Thanks to internet sorcery, we can even take advantage of free tools to quickly gauge the reading level of our writing. You can see it in action right here! plain language. It is. Think about how well your communications support people in getting things done. • 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). Too often, I’ve been unable to decipher just what is. Half-day presentations. Find out the benefits of plain language for different audiences and purposes, and explore the sources and resources on plain language from various. Plain Language. Apart from fractions, the slash has almost no good uses. The most recent example from U. readability statistics. PLAIN is dedicated to helping federal agencies train their staff to communicate clearly and develop their own plain language programs.