Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as writing that is clear, concise, and well-organized and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. Material is in plain language if your audience can:
- Find what they need
- Understand what they find the first time they read or hear it
- Use what they find to meet their needs
There are many techniques that can help you achieve this goal. Among the most common are:
- Reader-centered organization
- “You” and other pronouns
- Active voice, not passive
- Short sentences and paragraphs
- Common, everyday words
- Easy-to-follow design features (lists, headers, tables)
Please find a list of resources below to help support your efforts in creating plain language communications:
- Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) Easy Read Guide
- State of CA Content Style Guide
- State of CA Visual Design Style Guide
- PlainLanguage.gov’s checklists and reference handouts
- Center for Plain Language’s Five Steps to Plain Language
- Green Mountain Self-Advocates’ How to Write Using Plain Language Webinar
- Learning Tools from the Center for Plain Language