www.plainlanguage.gov - the official website of PLAIN. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a group of federal employees from many different agencies and specialties.
Our site serves federal advocates for clarity in government
3 Science-backed Tips For Imperfect Writing
#plainlanguage
https://medium.com/the-brave-writer/3-science-backed-tips-for-imperfect-writing-1bdc5936d2fd
How to challenge perfectionism in your writing
Plain Language Writing — An Essential Part Of Accessibility
#plainlanguage
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2020/10/22/plain-language-writing---an-essential-part-of-accessibility/?sh=5b8860157935
Wider, more reliable availability of Plan Language information has enormous potential to reduce the most severe barriers to equality for people with intellectual, developmental, and learning disabilities. It’s not hard to see how it can also save people’s finances, freedom, health, and lives.
How to explain big data in plain English
#plainlanguage
https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2019/10/big-data-explained-plain-english
You may think everyone knows what big data is by now, but misconceptions remain. Get expert advice for discussing big data in plain terms with colleagues, customers, or any audience.
A Handy Dandy Guide on How to Write Social Media Posts: Best Practices, Length, & More
#plainlanguage
https://expresswriters.com/how-to-write-social-media-posts/
How many hashtags can I include in an Instagram post? Read the answer to this and many more in our up-to-date guide on how to write social media posts.
Happy Friday the 13th
10 Plain Language Lessons from The Walking Dead
#plainlanguage
https://medium.com/wehearthealthliteracy/10-plain-language-lessons-from-the-walking-dead-8000f14c4085
The AMC TV series The Walking Dead (in which people try to survive a zombie apocalypse) can certainly be a lesson in zombie preparedness. But did you know it can also teach us about writing for…
Writing Concisely
#plainlanguage
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conciseness-handout/
What this handout is about This handout helps you identify wordiness in your sentences, paragraphs, and essays and offers strategies for writing concisely. Identifying and addressing wordiness in sentences If you are a student, pay close attention to your instructors’ … Continued
Clichés
#plainlanguage
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/cliches/
What this handout is about This handout discusses clichés and why you should generally avoid them in order to achieve specificity in both your academic writing and your application essays. Introduction: What’s so bad about clichés? Let’s say you are … Continued
Decoding Design Jargon: Typography Edition
#plainlanguage
https://medium.com/wehearthealthliteracy/decoding-design-jargon-typography-edition-8d2fde839a17
Ever had that moment where you’re talking about a product with a designer and you feel like you’re speaking a different language? Well…
Get to the Point: Writing Succinctly
#plainlanguage
https://www.walkersands.com/get-to-the-point-writing-succinctly/
“Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should conta...
You’re Not Alone: Writing About Sensitive Topics
#plainlanguage
https://medium.com/wehearthealthliteracy/youre-not-alone-writing-about-sensitive-topics-823232f7ff05
Some health issues are really hard to talk about — and even harder to live with. As health writers, it’s part of our job to recognize when health topics require an especially empathetic and…
Instructions - Tell them how to do it!
#plainlanguage
https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/instrux.html
The focus for this chapter is one of the most important of all uses of technical writing—instructions. As you know, instructions are those step-by-step explanations of how to do something: how to build, operate, repair, or maintain things.
Making Better PowerPoint Presentations
#plainlanguage
https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/making-better-powerpoint-presentations/
Print Version Baddeley and Hitch’s model of working memory. Research about student preferences for PowerPoint Resources for making better PowerPoint presentations Bibliography We have all experienc…
Passive voice and zombies are scary. Equally as scary—vampire verbs! See this guide from St. Louis Community College to keep “to be” verbs from sucking the life out of your writing. Happy Halloween! #PlainLanguagehttps://stlcc.edu/docs/student-support/academic-support/college-writing-center/to-be-verbs.pdf
This Halloween, listen to US National Archives to save your writing from the zombies in passive voice. “Don't be afraid to eradicate the mindless ghoul of passive voice from your writing. After all, if you are reading this sentence, you must have . . . brains!” https://www.archives.gov/open/plain-writing/tips/passive-voice.html
This week's Plain Language writing tip comes from Zombie Defy-er Hilary Parkinson. In honor of Halloween, this week's plain language tip is about the passive voice. And zombies. Like mindless zombies thwarted by a chain-link fence, many writers struggle with the passive voice. There's something abou...
Human factors engineers bring “customers’ perspectives to the design process.” See how these “unsung partners in design” support #PlainLanguage to put our audience first. https://www.machinedesign.com/community/article/21143885/human-factors-engineers-unsung-partners-in-design
They bring the customers’ perspectives to the design process.
Remove the complicated from science communication and make it accessible to everyone through #PlainLanguage. “Science communication should reflect the aims, and then meet the needs of those we are seeking to communicate to.” https://blogs.agu.org/sciencecommunication/2020/10/19/making-science-accessible-for-all/
How hot is Jupiter? Can you show the process of chromosome segregation? How does the brain control movement in your leg? All this science seems complicated because of the scientific jargon but there is a lot more to experiencing these basic concepts of life than just reading some heavy worded paragr...
Making sure you have accessible web content in #PlainLanguage not only attracts visitors to your site, but also helps them stay. These web writing tips from DigitalGov can get you started. https://digital.gov/resources/plain-language-web-writing-tips/
On the Web, people are in a hurry. They skim and scan, looking for fast answers to their questions, so it’s important to get to the point—quickly! Help your readers complete their tasks with these Plain Language writing tips: Audience Write for your reader. Don’t write for the experts, the law...
#PlainLanguage and user-centered design work together to deliver clear content your audience can use. Check out the UX Guide from 18F for best practices and other helpful tips. https://18f.gsa.gov/2020/08/04/introducing-the-ux-guide/
At GSA’s 18F, one thing we do on every project is human-centered design. We use the broader term user experience (UX) design to refer to a set of human-centered methods and practices we use in our work. Our new UX Guide documents some of our practices and holds helpful resources.
Even though our in-person trainings remain on hold during the pandemic, you can always check out one of our recent #PlainLanguage webinars on demand. https://youtu.be/XbLno4xrW8A
PLAIN’s been providing learning opportunities in person for years; now, we have to do our workshop virtually. How can we do it so we meet our audience’s need...
A #PlainLanguage infographic on proper social distancing in nature. Thank you @NatlParkService
https://twitter.com/NatlParkService/status/1307833909510635521?s=20
A #PlainLanguage infographic on proper social distancing in nature. Thank you @NatlParkService https://twitter.com/NatlParkService/status/1307833909510635521?s=20
Rather than explaining scientific or technical jargon, it may be better to avoid it altogether. “Non-scientists feel shut out and confused by articles that use technical language—even if it’s defined.” #PlainLanguage https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00580-w#:~:text=Non%2Dscientists%20feel%20shut%20out,language%20%E2%80%94%20even%20if%20it's%20defined
Non-scientists feel shut out and confused by articles that use technical language — even if it’s defined.
Register for our 3rd Federal #PlainLanguage Summit happening Oct. 27-28. What’s new for this year? We divided it into morning and afternoon sessions, so register for 1 session, all 4, or something in between. https://digital.gov/event/2020/10/27/plain-language-summit-2020/
Join us for discussion from government and private-sector leaders on how to advance plain language in government communications. Hear lessons learned and victories of every size.
How often have you told someone, “Let’s touch base soon?” Find out how this popular phrase in business jargon is closely connected to our love of baseball. #PlainLanguage https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/touch-base-idiom-meaning-usage
Checking in with a sporting piece of business jargon
Did you know that October is Health Literacy Month? MedlinePlus online resources to help patients talk with their doctor. #PlainLanguage https://medlineplus.gov/talkingwithyourdoctor.html
One of the benefits of healthcare is being able to talk with your doctor regularly about your concerns. Prepare for your doctor visits with these tips
Let's continue the #PlainLanguage celebration. Check out this video from Center for Plain Language as we reflect on the 10th anniversary of the Plain Writing Act. https://centerforplainlanguage.org/happy-10th-anniversary-plain-writing-act/
Happy 10th Anniversary Plain Writing Act October 12, 2020 The Plain Writing Act is turning 10 years old on October 13, 2020. The Act gave U.S. federal employees the legal oomph to turn the stereotype that government writing is overly complicated, stilted, and obtuse on its head. No longer was plain....
Hip-hip-hooray for #PlainLanguage! Join us in celebrating International Plain Language Day & the 10th anniversary of the Plain Writing Act. https://plainlanguage.gov/about/history/
Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications.
George Orwell, famous for his novels Animal Farm and 1984, was also a vocal supporter of #PlainLanguage. Follow his 6 rules for good writing to “make sure your writing is short, simple, and direct.”
https://medium.com/wehearthealthliteracy/write-like-george-orwell-in-6-easy-steps-bab619db9c0b
George Orwell wasn’t only the guy who wrote that book (or that other book) that you may have read in school. He was also a fierce advocate for social justice, economic equality, and — most relevant…
Getting feedback from your peers helps ensure that you’re speaking in #PlainLanguage. Check out this 1839 letter from Washington Irving to Edgar Allan Poe, in which he compliments Poe’s “simpler” style. https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/760
The Digital Public Library of America brings together the riches of America’s libraries, archives, and museums, and makes them freely available to the world.
Join us in celebrating #PlainLanguage at the Access for All Conference, Oct. 13-15. Have you registered yet? https://www.accessforallconference.com/
Access for All: Plain Language is a Civil Right, is a virtual conference dedicated to using plain language to break down barriers in society. Join us as we explore five areas where plain language continues to improve people's access to information and services.
Australia launched a new government style manual “fit for the digital age.” Included are guidelines on using inclusive language and reducing jargon. #PlainLanguage https://www.themandarin.com.au/136625-new-aps-style-manual-fit-for-the-digital-age/
The Digital Transformation Agency on Thursday released the guide in Beta, with the hope that the public would provide feedback ahead of its official launch later this year.
Happy 50th anniversary @NOAA! Check out this infographic for a quick snapshot of all their accomplishments over the years. #PlainLanguage https://go.usa.gov/xG63C
Since its inception in 1970, NOAA has evolved into one of the world’s premier science organizations with a mission that spans from the surface of the sun to the floor of the ocean.
The National Weather Service recently concluded a public survey where it asked if weather advisories should be replaced with easy to understand, #PlainLanguage. The proposal eliminates the term "advisory."
https://www.nbc12.com/2020/06/17/national-weather-service-seeks-opinions-potential-elimination-term-advisory/
A new proposal from the National Weather Service would eliminate "advisories". The NWS wants your opinion.
Michigan government revamped renewal forms and made them shorter and written in #PlainLanguage. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/mi-government-removes-bureaucratic-mumbo-jumbo-benefit-renewal-form
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announces simplified renewal forms for millions of residents who may need food or cash assistance or other state benefits.
Access for All conference highlights include: three days of live discussions and on demand video presentations about #PlainLanguage from communications professionals around the globe.
https://www.accessforallconference.org/
Access for All: Plain Language is a Civil Right, is a virtual conference dedicated to using plain language to break down barriers in society. Join us as we explore five areas where plain language continues to improve people's access to information and services.
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“I Have a Dream,” by Martin Luther King Jr., delivered August 28, 1963, is ranked as the top American speech of the 20th century. He wrote this masterpiece of rhetoric in #plainlanguage so that all could understand; listen to it or read the transcript. http://ow.ly/l26U50vDN6u
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