Use this checklist to see if your document meets plain language standards. Write in active voice. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. Language technique helps you to score well in your writing. [7:14] Lesson 5: Keeping Things Short [3:07] Lesson 6: Your Reader Is a Person! Please include the URL of the web page or the name of the document, and we will work to make it plainer. Clarity 63 May 2010 27. length of 20 words or fewer, at … As a result, it helps a student to understand a story, poem, essay, or novel in a better way. PLAIN LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES Tips & tools for creating clear communication that reaches past health literacy barriers. Legal language that is plain poses special challenges, but is not impossible. Online Plain Language Gadget. Clearer, simpler writing – stripped of complexity but not of style – will also help to improve your client relations. If you write for a website, an intranet, press releases, emails, articles, e-newsletters, etc., you will hear how the Plain Writing Act of 2010 affects government agencies learn plain writing principles and techniques find where to get additional training discover the federal plain language community 3 This presentation does not include any information about current Seattle … Results: Of the 24 respondents, 20 encountered one or more problems during their response process. Words that require special knowledge such as jargon, acronyms, slang and obscure vocabulary are avoided. Legal language that is plain poses special challenges, but is not impossible. Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. Choose the words that are familiar to the user. It also covers how to use Plain Language writing techniques to win more business, accelerate your tender process, and encourage staff to contribute to the overall tender process. The U.S. General Services Administration is committed to writing all of our new and substantially revised documents and public web content in plain language. It sounds like you’re being offered a cup of simple, black coffee instead of being offered a double mochaccino with whip and sprinkles. Test web pages using OpenAdvocate WriteClearly, a free web tool that makes it easy to analyze reading grade level of a web page and get suggestions for improving readability of web content. Keep the subject and verb close together. Plain language is clear, succinct writing or speech designed to be understood. Language techniques and elements can be found anywhere in the story. List and prioritize top tasks by audience group, List what people need or need to know to complete the task, List characteristics of the groups that should influence design (for example, age, computer experience…), Organize the content so that it flows logically, Break content into short sections that reflect natural stopping points, Write headings that help readers predict what is coming up, Present important information first in each section, subsection, and paragraph, Include the details that help the reader complete the task, Leave out details that don’t help or may distract readers, even if they are interesting, Use transitions to connect ideas, sentences, paragraphs, or sections, Use a conversational, rather than legal or bureaucratic tone, Make titles or list elements parallel (for example, start each with a verb), For websites: Match the link wording to landing page names, Use headers and sub-headers to organize the information, Use typography (font size, color, bold, etc) to guide the reader’s attention, Use whitespace to organize the information, Use images to make content easier to understand. Hosted by Plain Language and DigitalGov University This 3-hour, in-person training class, will provide an update on plain writing principles and the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Cheryl Stephens, our guest author, has practiced and taught plain language techniques for over 25 years. Did you test the content for readability and understandability? Plain language (also known as plain English) is a way of writing or presenting information so that readers can understand it quickly and easily. plain language techniques, and the implica-tions of that research for a technique-based standard of plain language. How was understanding and ability to act measured? It involves applying to legal documents and statutes those same techniques that good writers use in normal prose. Clear verbal communication techniques, plain language writing and design tips, and readability formulas are just some of the practical tools which will help make the health information you deliver to your clients easy for them to understand, remember and follow. Write in active voice. Plain language techniques make your written communications clear — and they help the audience easily understand your intended message. For example: “His report outlined three issues: a lack of high paying clients, … It is ordinary ‘adult English’, used in day-to-day context. My writing was bad. Use the passive voice only in rare cases. It’s about making … Step 2: Structure the content to guide the reader through it. Plain English is clear, straightforward expression, using only as many words as are necessary… Writers of plain English let their audience concentrate on the message instead of being distracted by complicated language. “Plain language law” is simply the techniques of plain language applied in a legal context. Writing for specialized audiences Sometimes, your content targets people who have in-depth knowledge of a subject. Use the passive voice only in rare cases. I felt stupid because all the other kids used long words. Use headings, lists, and tables to make reading easier. It is effective writing, in a legal context. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a group of federal employees from different agencies and specialties who support the use of clear communication in government writing. Finally, we discuss means of testing documents, and advocate a According to plainlanguage.gov, plain language helps the reader: Find what they need; Understand what they find; Use what they find to meet their needs; Given that clinical research communications can be very technical and complex, using plain language can help clearly explain information so that the target audience has a better chance of understanding. Plain Language: Do Your Readers Need a Decoder Ring? They make sure that their audience understands the message easily. It is ordinary ‘adult English’, used in day-to-day context. Couldn’t agree more with this, but then part of my job is persuading a curiously reluctant organisation to embrace all these ideas. Plain Language. The interviews included both think-aloud and retrospective probing techniques. Did you test your design and content with enough people? I found the Plain Language writing technique by accident. Source: International Plain Language Federation Abstract/Résumé La notion de langage clair et simple, les principes sous-jacents et les techniques pertinentes font l’objet d’un intérêt de plus en plus marqué depuis une trentaine d’années, tant dans le cadre de la recherche sur les pratiques de rédaction que dans une perspective de formation des rédacteurs de textes … If you must use technical terms, explain them on the first reference. Traditional legal language. Peggy Sissel-Phelan, Ed.D. Stick to your topic. She currently coaches and trains individuals and teams via distance learning. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. Literary Techniques (NESA also refers to literary techniques and devices as figurative language) are the techniques that composers use in their written texts to help convey or heighten meaning. These are the folks who submit legal and business document to Wall Street when going on the stock exchanges. We’ll use plain language in any document that: Is used to obtain any of our benefits … Plain Language at NIH Was there a before-and-after comparison to demonstrate improvement? [7:38] Lesson 8: Action Items & Resources [2:28] Post-Course Survey ; Please sign up for the course to view lesson content State your major point(s) first before going into details. PLAIN developed and continues to revise The Federal Plain Language Guidelines to provide updated advice on clear communication. Four cases involving the interpretation of plain language The wording is intended to be suitable for a general audience, and allows for comprehensive … plain language techniques, and the implica-tions of that research for a technique-based standard of plain language. Techniques. Some legal plainers are linguists, writers, editors, or legal translators. Did you test navigation labels and information organization for predictability? The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) views nuclear regulation as your business, so we believe we should conduct our regulatory activities as openly and candidly as possible to maintain and enhance your … understand and take action the first time they read your content.Writing plainly means writing to be understood Only use the abbreviations, contractions, acronyms and initialisms that the user understands. Bibliographic resources about health literacy. Professionals may underestimate people's health literacy needs, this may be because needs remain hidden as people attempt to hide them or it could be because people are reluctant to admit that they haven't understood information that has been explained. It is effective writing, in a legal context. Five Steps to Plain Language Step 1: Identify and describe the target audience. The name ‘Plain Language Communications’ doesn’t do the craft justice. Plain Language Plain language is the use of vocabulary and phrases that are familiar to a broad audience. Discusses professional liability as it relates to informed consent. It is language stripped of archaic ‘legalese’ or the latest business jargon and vocabulary, supported by a proper layout and typography of the text. It means removing the content that detracts the reader from your message. Rather than writing in plain language, composers give more emphasis to their ideas by utilising literary devices to … Plain language is language that is clear and understandable – and as simple as the situation allows. It’s also called Plain English, by the way. Writing for the Web requires different approaches and skills than writing for print publications. The Plain Meaning Rule and Other Ways to Cheat at Statutory Interpretation by Ruth Sullivan Professor of Law University of Ottawa INTRODUCTION. What We’ll Deliver: Writing You Can Understand. Clarity 63 May 2010 27. length of … What is plain language, especially plain legal language? WHAT IS PLAIN LANGUAGE? Couldn’t agree more with this, but then part of my job is persuading a curiously reluctant organisation to embrace all these ideas. - Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) What is plain language? Proofread your work, and have a colleague proof it as well. I was reading a lot about Warren Buffet a few years back and came across a nice, short document he wrote for the SEC. We’ll use plain language in any document that: Is used to obtain any of our benefits or services, or for filing taxes; Provides information about any of our benefits or services; or; Explains how to comply with a requirement that we administer or enforce. The use of plain language and information and communication technology (ICT) appeared to have a positive effect on the comprehensibility of the DTTSQ. On the contrary, plain language isn’t boring and it’s not about ‘dumbing down’ information either. Limit each paragraph to one idea and keep it short. Only use the abbreviations, contractions, acronyms and initialisms that the user understands. 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272. The NRC's Plain Writing Philosophy, Techniques, and Guidance subscribe to page updates. Lists help us get information across to readers in a clear way that is easy for them to understand. Presenter • Katherine Spivey Plain Language Launcher General Services Administration plainlanguage@gsa.gov Co-Chair Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) … Choose the words that are familiar to the user. Start Early. Ask readers to describe who and what the document or site is intended for, Have them show you how they would find the information they want or need, Ask them to describe key concepts or processes in their own words, Observe whether target users can finish key tasks easily and confidently, Note where they stumble or misunderstand and rethink those parts of the site or document. What is plain language, especially plain legal language? There can be a tendency to bury bad... Use Active Voice and Personal Pronouns. It involves applying to legal documents and statutes those same techniques that good writers use in normal prose. You don't want to make your users hunt for the main idea. Use pronouns when you can. Plain Writing Act In some cases, governments and other organizations mandate plain language or encourage it as part of their organizational culture.For example, the Plain Writing Act of 2010 is a United States federal law that requires government agencies to use plain language. This in turn offers powerful support (in principle) for plain language drafting techniques, such as the use of redundancy in the form of section and other headings, as well as similar techniques such as simplified outlines and readers’ guides; support which bypasses traditional drafting concerns with such devices … Lesson 4: How Do I Apply Plain Language Techniques? Write short and simple sentences in active voice. You will learn ways to help your agency comply with the Plain Writing Act, and proper techniques to use in completing your work. It avoids verbose, convoluted language and jargon.In many countries, laws mandate that public agencies use plain language to increase access to programs and services. none of these pompous long … The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires all federal agencies to write "clear government … The National Library of Medicine provides bibliographies, sorted by year, citing many documents about health … Active voice is when the subject performs an action. Plain English. 1. Use plain language. Some are practising lawyers who write plainly for their clients. Plain language (also known as plain English) is a way of writing or presenting information so that readers can understand it quickly and easily. Richmond, VA 23219Copyright © 2021 — Center for Plain Language • All rights reserved. Plain Language: Tools and Techniques. “Plain language law” is simply the techniques of plain language applied in a legal context. Finally, we discuss means of testing documents, and advocate a Plain language strives to be easy to read, understand, and use. Language techniques and their effects. This is legislation that is described by its promoters as plain English or plain language legislation, or is legislation prepared by a drafting office that promotes itself as drafting in plain English or plain language. (If you’re writing for the web, here’s the web checklist.). State your major point (s) first before going into details. Were audience needs, such as top tasks, prioritized based on user research? The Plain Language Thesaurus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers plain language equivalents to medical terms and phrases. Bran LeFae Medical Writer, Seattle Genetics All opinions expressed in the course of this presentation are mine alone. If you were to read a novel without knowing any literary devices, chances are you wouldn't be able to detect many of the layers of meaning interwoven into the story via different techniques. 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.