Plain English – for an approachable style. You can learn more about plain language in the government, and view “before and after” examples, at www.plainlanguage.gov. Focus on unambiguous, factual information. We offer these tips to staff so their communication with the public is easier to understand and fits in with the principles of plain … Federal agencies are legally required to use plain language. It will also not serve the interests of the parties. Our measure of plain language is behavioral: Can the people who are the audience for the material quickly and easily: Find what they need; Understand what they find; Act on that understanding; Plain language is more than just short words and short sentences – although those tactics are important … It is ordinary ‘adult English’, used in day-to-day context. It saves time and money and makes content easier to find, read, understand and act on. 'Of the people, by the people, for the people.' But be flexible. The other two are the "mischief rule" and the "golden rule".The plain meaning rule dictates that statutes are to be interpreted using the ordinary meaning of the language of the statute. 22/09/2010) Although plain language is a familiar idea, many organizations don’t use it as often as they should. Consequently, it is a sine qua non of plain English not to write too polysyllabically! Learn who your audience is and what they need, and write for them. When you have a CAT scan, you need to lie very still on a bench inside a dough-nut shaped machine that circles the body. Presenting the Plain-Language Non-Compete. Don't overuse abbreviations. Write in active voice. A penalty charge of £70 is now payable and must be paid not later than the last day of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which this PCN was served (i.e. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 external icon requires federal agencies to train staff and use plain language when they communicate with the public. Examples We are often asked if we have any examples of communication at its worst. I have no respect for generals who always talk in generalities.. Plain-language contracting is not a novel idea. Direct language is written or spoken language that communicates meaning as clearly, concisely and candidly as possible. ... What is meant by the advice to write as we speak is to write as we might speak if we spoke extremely well. The increasing popularity of plain language, the concept of writing clear, simple prose, is making it easier for people to understand legal documents and government forms. 4. Yet, according to a new report, federal agencies are failing to do so. I’ll use a non-compete agreement as an example, because it’s what I know best. Ambiguities in Plain Language "The die is cast - you should die" may sound like an offer one can't refuse.. Get in touch. Letter to customer – sign-off Original. This is especially so for language designed to be heard, like speeches and debate exchanges, rather than read from a page. This means that good writing should not sound stuffy, pompous, highfalutin, totally unlike ourselves, but rather, well—'simple & direct.' Colour: Green Tax disc: 00000 00000 00000 Expiry: 31/01/2011. Moreover, ‘examples’ may create more uncertainty than simply leaving the words to be understood themselves because they raise doubts that the plain meaning is the one intended! Use pronouns when you can. Summarize in non-technical language and reach any non-research audience. “Plain language” refers to the preference for words that are in everyone’s vocabulary – what linguists term the “core vocabulary” – consisting of about 200 to 300 words. Why we make this promise Clear writing is essential to ensuring that all Americans understand what is happening within the government and is … Plain language is content written for everybody, including degree-bearing individuals. CDC already has trained many staff in plain language and is training many more. The following are illustrative examples of direct language. "Now, the simple words in the language … At CDC, we use plain language, not just plain writing. Examples of plain English . If you are looking for past Golden Bull winners or ridiculous 'management speak' such as 'feedforward', or you merely want to create your own phrase using our 'Gobbledygook generator', this section of the site will help you. Be clear and concise. Write small numbers. Many plain-language experts took part in my research, and I couldn’t have completed my book without them. Plain language avoids verbose or convoluted language, jargon, euphemism, and ambiguous language. Plain language guidelines Know your audience. State your major point(s) first before going into details. … Having no visible elevation or depression; flat; level. Writing in plain language means using language that is clear, effective and understandable to the reader. WHAT IS PLAIN LANGUAGE? Plain language summaries are very difficult to write; they take time, and often draw upon skills that have not been part of a researcher’s typical training. These are examples of writing tips that are posted on the National Archives internal website for staff. Plain language (also known as plain English) is a way of writing or presenting information so that readers can understand it quickly and easily. What does plain mean? Plain Language Resources Everyday Words … They … (adjective) One drafting office with a plain language policy (New South Wales), having experimented with readability devices in the 1990s, has lately … To see how plain English can improve customer communications, take a look at these examples. It’s also recommended for any print or online publications intended to provide information or explain a process — and writers should consider its utility for any content context. A French quiz on plain language (in French only) Source: Visez juste en français, University of Ottawa; A guide for the promotion of plain language (PDF) Source: Council of Canadian … If the word or … Observed from 08:51 to 08:57. Our websites follow the best practices in web design and navigation. Source: International Plain Language Federation When drafting a plain language text, there are 5 general areas to consider: Audience and purpose Structure Before. Plain language is not … Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience. What is plain for one audience may not be plain at all for another audience. Why plain language? So, for plain English, use everyday words. Plain language helps people find what they need and understand what they find. It is very important to get it right, as these summaries have the potential to be read by many more people than would normally read a scientific paper … What is plain language, especially plain legal language? It’s a movement that started many years ago and, perhaps surprisingly, made initial headway in the U.S. government. Plain-language advocates are also eager to share with colleagues what they know about communication. CDC follows the federal plain language guidelines external icon and uses the Clear Communication Index to assess and improve our public communication materials. Probably with medicines it is clearer to write 'Take 2 tablets 4 times a day.' This skill also needs to be transferrable in any written work that the social care worker produces. 'Ask not what your country can do for you.' Plain Language Writing Tips. Cut unnecessary words Limit each paragraph to one idea and keep it short. Others may think it’s not “plain” enough. When only five, Safire's grandfather took him to a baseball game. It is understood by the reader the first time around and it is the most effective way to communicate to ensure that the message being conveyed is not misunderstood. I could not disagree with you less.. As with my Plain-Language Non-Compete, some of you may think the Plain-Language NDA doesn’t sound “legal” enough. Plain language is not dumbing down content, and its intention isn't to offend the PhDs of the world. 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. Being not yet fully grown, his trousers were too long. And some of you may even take issue with some of the substance of … Plain language should be easy to read, understand and use. Follow: Twitter; Facebook; Email notification; Note. Plain language makes it easier for everyone to understand and use health information. Hyperlinks to writing resources will open in a new tab. In text, write numbers one to nine as words; with 10 and upwards, put the figure. Social Workers, beware – no jargon, use plain language 24th August 2015 Training. The Power of the Plain Style "In political language, plainness is powerful. Samples from our plain language summary service. If there is no plain language alternative, use jargon but explain the term the first time you use it. 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. Show me a lawyer who drafts a non-compete in impenetrable legalese, and I’ll show you a lawyer who … Most speaking is not plain or direct, but vague, clumsy, confused, and wordy. Ensure that no promotional content is included (See neutral language guidance in Annex 2). Plain English. Use the passive voice only in rare cases. For example: A CAT scan is a painless test using a special X-ray machine to take pictures of what's inside your body. I’ve seen a lot of non-competes, and most read like they were written with no regard for how they will be viewed in a subsequent lawsuit. Write the summary, leave it for a day or two, and come back to it. It is language stripped of archaic ‘legalese’ or the latest business jargon and vocabulary, supported by a proper layout and typography of the text. carefully considered for inclusion since additional content worded in plain language may add considerable length which in and of itself may decrease comprehension. Write for your reader, not yourself. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. We are always happy to hear … One of the great qualities that a social care worker should possess is the ability to communicate clearly. Follow health literacy and numeracy principles (see section 5 ZHealth … Non-language examples: arbitrary: tra c lights, tornado warning siren non-arbitrary: a \no-smoking" sign (with a crossed-out cigarette), a deer-crossing sign (with a silhouette of a deer) Language is overwhelmingly arbitrary. 278. If the language is accurate and plain why explain? Legalese is an informal term for the specialized language (or social dialect) of lawyers and of legal documents.Also known as lawyer's language and legal parlance.Like other specialized language, it relies on specific vocabulary and precise language to convey the particulars of meaning, which may not be fully intelligible to those without specialized legal … This can be contrasted with indirect language that sacrifices clarity to make language more colorful, polite, entertaining or intentionally difficult to understand in order to avoid criticism. 'I have a dream.' Plain language has been the law of the land for federal agencies since the Plan Writing Act of 2010.A GSA user experience evangelist once described the Act as “one of the most important developments in open government…akin to the falling of the Berlin … Stick to your topic. Learn how to apply plain language principles in general, legal and government writing. As always we welcome your feedback and should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me at the number below. These words are mostly verbs, pronouns, and demonstratives, such as “his” and “that,” which help distinguish the subject the speaker or writer is referring to. The plain meaning rule, also known as the literal rule, is one of three rules of statutory construction traditionally applied by English courts. The history of plain language has many examples of people changing confusing documents into plain language so that audiences could understand them.
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