Communication with agencies In July 2021, the Center notified the Plain Language contacts from each agency about what we would be grading, when, and what information we needed from them, including information on audiences, purposes and any research they had done on the pages to be graded. All information provided by the agency teams was […]
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A look back at the extraordinary 2020 competition for a ClearMark
2020 was an unusual and challenging year in the history of the ClearMarks. Everyone’s focus was on creating new plain language materials to meet pressing needs—and, in turn, to celebrate those materials and their important impact on their audiences – we opened a separate COVID-19 category.
Happy 10th Anniversary Plain Writing Act
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 language just a good idea that could easily be tossed aside for lack of time or tacked on the end of a project as if it were synonymous with proofreading.
How We Graded in 2020
We graded organizational compliance and writing independently, with a separate set of judges for each. Organizational Compliance and Writing Evaluations Compliance Criteria We visited each agency’s Plain Language page (sometimes titled “Plain Writing” page). This page is required by the Plain Writing Act. Having an updated page. Staffing – which included having available to the […]
Who Did the Grading?
The Center would like to thank the following volunteers who gave their time and expertise to review pages for the 2020 Federal Report Card. You have made the world a little clearer. Writing Judges David Lipscomb (lead judge), Vice Chair of the Center for Plain Language, is also a board member of the International Plain Language Federation. […]
Board of Directors
Executive Committee Chair Barbra Kingsley, PhDOwner, Kingsley-Kleimann Group I was inspired to join the Center for Plain Language because I believe in a mission of championing clear communication so people and organizations can thrive.” When you take Barbra’s extensive knowledge of consumer behavior, expertise with user-centered design, and combine with organizational change and leadership, […]